I got my TR1 today....... - Boating & Fishing Information and Reports Forum

Kern O · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 04:52 PM

I bought a TR-1 and it arrived today. It has some slick features, like the Shadowdrive. Where if you manually turn the helm, the Shadowdrive valve senses the pressure change and disables the autopilot so you are temporarily in control. it also senses engine RPM and turns more slowly as the boat speed increases. Those are good things.

I was, however disappointed to see that there is no formal control head or display panel with the unit. It has what looks like an oversize TV remote control that you can bolt to the dash. It has only indicator lights and no formal display. They do offer a display head, but it is a simply 3 3/8 gage which shows the heading and a couple other functions. That's pretty primitive for the price of the unit. And to make things even more strange, they also offer a hand held remote that looks a lot like the remotes that come with cars. But it says in large letters that it is not waterproof. Huh? Its for use on a boat.

As far as I am concerned, if I do keep the TR-1, it will only be because of the Shadowdrive and the tach sensing features. At the price, it needs to come with a real control panel and a waterproof remote.

glen e · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 05:03 PM

Kern...there is a plan here..I thought the same thing...ask Jim or I..the main panel is all you need...as it tracks the GPS so close, that becomes your display....try it for a few months and then tell me what you think...you'd really like the inventor...a Boeing ILS cockpit designer that both Jim Z and I have met....he's like you! If you really wanna get into it, I'll get you his email....but the proof is in the wake...this is the tr-1 going to bimini about 40 miles in...laser frickin straight...

Kern O · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 06:33 PM

I'll take your word for it and give it a shot. If you like it, I'm sure I'll love it....

glen e · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kern O

I'll take your word for it and give it a shot. If you like it, I'm sure I'll love it....

you settle down...you old coot... or the next time in town you'll buy the drinks...oh..that's right...you did....c'mon back for the laud show?...Jimmy, I, Berman and Band will be walkin the docks.. on sat and sun.....

certainly coming in for the splash of John's SeaHunter 35 in Jan?

Nice guy.....

Jim Z · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Exactly what Glen said. Once you have a few hours on it you'll see the difference. The TR-1 is the only AP I've ever owned so I didn't come into this experienced in an AP display. Maybe it's me but I never saw the need to have a second display tell me what I can already get from my chartplotter.

Jim Z · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:38 PM

Nobody can argue the lack of a waterproof remote though... You're right, it's for use on a boat...

Kern O · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 11:33 PM

I've had several different autopilots and some of them can be like dealing with a first generation VCR. Having a display means you have a couple easily understood buttons so someone else who is near the helm, when you are not, can actually run the thing. another (and more selfish) reason i wanted the display was to cover the hole where the Raymarine 6001 display was.

blueh20pc · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 11:45 PM

Kern Been on a few boats with the RM Auto's and on one with the TR-1

The TR-1 worked, and the RM's didn't.

And that's enough to say about that.

Kern O · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 12:28 AM

So, did you use half a bait to catch half a fish?

It is sobering to know that something bigger and hungrier can outswim something small and desperate...................