smart pilot x-5 opinions?

[Twill23]

I'm considering picking one of these up, and just wanted a few opinions on the system. My boat comes in at under the recommended maximum of 16,500lbs. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with cable steering and outside of spendng at least $3200 to convert and choose a different AP system, this seems to be my best option.

Opinions from those who are familiar with the unit??

[Paulywood]

When mine has worked it has been great. I had some issues with the first ones but since everything setttled down after the change of ownership my new one has been good. And I can't complain about the service, I've sent it to them twice and they sent me new ones within a week. Hopefully I don't have to send it a third time.

[HONDAM]

$3200 to convert ?!?!? Thats about twice what it should be.

You can do a Garmin GHP-12 or a Raymarine X-10 and an octopus pump and spend about $2500 in parts to get an excellent autopilot while not having to convert.

The Sportpilot is ok when you get a working one does not handle strong winds or decent sized waves very well but i guess thas ok considering the price.

[Salmon Assassin]

Unless your fishing in the Bering Sea or in 6' seas your X5 will be great. I have one and love it. I had my in 4 foot waves (not gentle rollers either) and she held her ground just fine, why anyone would fish in rougher water is beyond me.

[CITM]

Mine works fine in most any weather, my biggest complaints are that its noisy and it makes the boat hard to steer manually. If you can afford $2500 follow Hondam's advice. The extra money is worth it in my opinion.

[lubbco]

are any of you guys using raymarine x5 sportpilot or are you all using smartpilot. i just want to troll a straight line.

[fishsniffer]

im using the raymarine smartpilot spx-5r..couldnt be happier with its performance and ease of installation..1mainiac also has it..ill let him speak for himself if he sees this but ive heard positive feedback from him also

[jimbobber]

i am running the x5 sport pilot and i love it!had to send in the computer a month into it but they turned it around in just 2 days and i have not had any problems since.

[Line Dancin]

ive been on jimmys boat it works slick as all get up and it wordked fine when we were in some rougher water. and if i didnt have to spend 1100 bucks on my outdrive in june it would be on my boat right now. Next spring i WILL have one.

[1mainiac]

I have one and I like it, mine is the SPX-5 corepack with the P70R controller I can fish all day with it and run in and out with it as well. I have not tried docking with it but bet I could do it. With the P70R controller you can turn the heading knob just like a steering wheel so for a 5 deg change to port you turn it till it beeps 5 times. The other reason I got the P70R is it lets me use trolling patterns once I hook up the plottter. The one thing I have noticed is when it is rough you have to increase the response level to hold course which holds a tighter course but runs the unit more. So on calm days I will set the response to 2 or 3 which is fine and the unit hardly runs Fishing in 2 to 4 ft waves I run it on 5 or 6 trolling in the channel I set it on 9 so it does not drift at all. I have not even finished the install on mine I hooked it up got it to work and started using it so my setup still needs to be fine tuned but all I wanted was a roughly straight course which it does fine.

Now the rest of the story this is the unit that was packaged into my boat purchase 5 years ago however Raymarine canceled release several times and I never got the unit. I ended up getting my money back for the AP and waited to see if the ever got it together while I looked at every other option. If I had the extra money it would not be on my boat for a couple of reasons one it is noisey and and as stated it makes the boat harder to steer when not using it. My first choice would be a Octipus R series drive mounted below decks with a Garmin GHP12. But if I had went with it this year the boat would sit at the dock as I would not have gas money to go fishing.

Advantages

1. I could afford it this year

2. It does actually work

3. Now I can fish instead of drive or yell at the driver

4. I can fish by myself in a 26ft boat in any condition I am willing to fish in