NSX
®
Autopilot Controller App Guide
English
Software version: 1.9.X
www.simrad-yachting.com
Copyright
© 2024 Navico Group. All Rights Reserved. Navico Group is a division of Brunswick Corporation.
Trademarks
® Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off, and ™ common law marks. Visit www.navico.com/intellectual-property to review the global trademark rights and
accreditations for Navico Group and other entities.
•
•
•
Brunswick ® is a trademark of Brunswick Corporation.
Navico ® is a trademark of Navico Group.
Simrad® is a trademark of Kongsberg Maritime AS, licensed to Navico Group.
Warranty
This product’s warranty is supplied as a separate document.
Safety, disclaimer and compliance
This product’s safety, disclaimer and compliance statements are supplied as a separate document.
Internet usage
Some features in this product use an internet connection to perform data downloads and uploads. Internet usage via a connected mobile/
cell phone internet connection or a pay-per-MB type internet connection may require large data usage. Your service provider may charge
you based on the amount of data you transfer. If you are unsure, contact your service provider to confirm rates and restrictions. Contact your
service provider for information about charges and data download restrictions.
More information
Document version: 002
This document was prepared using software version 1.9.X
Features described and illustrated in this guide may vary from your unit due to continuous development of the software.
For the latest version of this document in supported languages, and other related documentation, visit:
www.simrad-yachting.com/downloads/nsx.
Contact us
For product support and service information, visit www.simrad-yachting.com/contact-us.
2
CONTENTS
4
Overview
4
Safety
5
Autopilot controller
6
6
7
8
9
10
Autopilot modes
Non follow up mode
Follow up mode
Heading hold mode
No drift mode
Navigation mode
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
Tune autopilot
Rudder gain
Counter rudder
Auto trim
Rate limit
Rudder limit
Off heading limit
Track response
Track approach angle
Navigation change limit
Init rudder
14
Autopilot settings
3
OVERVIEW
An autopilot is a navigational device that automatically keeps your vessel on a steady course or route.
SAFETY
⚠ WARNING: An autopilot is a useful navigational aid, but it does not replace a human
navigator. Ensure the autopilot has been installed correctly, commissioned and calibrated before
use.
Do not use automatic steering when in:
•
•
•
Heavy traffic areas or narrow waters.
Poor visibility or extreme sea conditions.
Areas where use of an autopilot is prohibited by law.
When using an autopilot:
•
•
•
•
Do not leave the helm unattended.
Do not place any magnetic material or equipment near the heading sensor used by the autopilot
system.
At regular intervals, verify the course and position of the vessel.
Always switch the autopilot to standby and reduce speed in time to avoid hazardous situations.
4
AUTOPILOT CONTROLLER
A
B
C
D
E
A Float button — select to undock/dock the controller from the control bar.
¼ Note: This option is only available on units with 12” and larger displays.
B
C
D
E
Settings button — select to access the setup guide and parameters.
Autopilot (mode-dependent) information and buttons.
Mode button — displays the current mode or last active mode. Select to open the mode list.
Engage — select to engage the autopilot.
¼ Note: When you select the ENGAGE button, it changes to STANDBY. Select STANDBY to stop navigating
with the autopilot.
¼ Note: The controller layout and appearance may change based on the display screen size.
5
AUTOPILOT MODES
The autopilot has several steering modes. The number of modes and features within each mode depends
on the autopilot computer, the vessel type and available inputs.
Non follow up mode
In this mode, you use the port and starboard buttons to control the rudder.
To turn on this mode, select the port or starboard button when the autopilot is in STANDBY.
A
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
B
Current heading
Command rudder angle
Current rudder angle
10° port — press and hold to move the rudder 10° to port.
1° port — press and hold to move the rudder 1° to port.
10° starboard — press and hold to move the rudder 10° to
starboard.
1° starboard — press and hold to move the rudder 1° to
starboard.
¼ Note: When you press and hold the 1° or 10° buttons the
rudder moves in the direction indicated. When you release
either button, the rudder stops moving and remains at the
position it reached.
¼ Note: To return the rudder to center, press the opposite
button and release when at center.
C
D
F
E
G
6
Follow up mode
From standby, tap the HEADING HOLD button and choose FOLLOW UP mode. In this mode, the autopilot
moves the rudder to a set angle and maintains that angle.
A
A
B
C
D
E
Current heading
Set rudder angle
Current rudder angle
1° port — select to move the rudder to port in 1°
increments.
1° starboard — select to move the rudder to starboard in
1° increments.
B
C
D
E
7
Heading hold mode
Select the mode button, then select HEADING HOLD from the mode list. In this mode, the autopilot steers
the vessel on the set heading. It selects the current compass heading as the set heading.
¼ Note: In this mode, the autopilot does not compensate for drifting caused by current and/or wind (W).
W
A
A
B
B
C
D
E
F
G
Current heading - the bar shows the offset between the set
heading and the current heading.
Set heading
Current rudder angle
10° port – select to change vessel heading 10° to port.
1° port – select to change vessel heading 1° to port.
10° starboard – select to change vessel heading 10° to
starboard.
1° starboard – select to change vessel heading 1° to
starboard.
C
D
F
E
G
8
No drift mode
Select the mode button, then select NO DRIFT from the mode list. In this mode, the autopilot steers the
vessel along a calculated track line, from the present position and in the direction you set. It selects the
current compass heading as the set heading.
¼ Note: If the vessel drifts away from the track line due to current and/or wind (W), the vessel follows the
line with a crab angle.
W
A
A
B
B
C
D
E
F
G
Current heading - the bar shows the error between the set
heading and the current course.
Set course
Current rudder angle
10° port — select to change heading 10° to port.
1° port — select to change heading 1° to port.
10° starboard — select to change heading 10° to starboard.
1° starboard — select to change heading 1° to starboard.
C
D
F
E
G
9
Navigation mode
⚠ WARNING: NAVIGATION mode should only be used in open waters. It must not be used while
sailing because course changes can result in unexpected tacks or gybes.
In NAVIGATION mode, the autopilot automatically steers the vessel to a specific waypoint location, the
cursor, or along a predefined route. Position information is used to keep the vessel on the track line to the
destination waypoint.
¼ Note: Before entering Navigation mode, you must be navigating a route or towards a waypoint or cursor
position.
A
A
B
C
D
E
F
B
Current heading — the bar shows the offset between the set
heading and the current heading.
Cross track error
Set heading
Current rudder angle
Restart button - restarts the navigation from the vessel’s
current position.
Skip button — skips the active waypoint and steers towards
the next waypoint.
¼ Note: The controller layout and appearance will change based
on the display screen size.
Turning in NAVIGATION mode
C
When the vessel reaches a waypoint, the autopilot will give
an audible warning and display a dialog with the new course
information.
¼ Note: To silence the audible warning, go to Settings > Alerts >
Autopilot.
D
E
F
There is a limit for the allowed automatic course change to the
next waypoint in a route:
•
If the required course change to the next waypoint is less
than the course change limit, the autopilot will automatically
change the course.
• If the required course change to the next waypoint is
more than the set limit, you are prompted to verify that
the upcoming course change is acceptable. If the turn is
not accepted, the vessel will continue with the current set
heading.
The course change limit setting depends on the autopilot
computer. Refer to the autopilot computer documentation for
more information.
10
TUNE AUTOPILOT
The settings button (1) gives you access to the settings menu. Select Tune autopilot (2) to adjust autopilot
settings. Most of the settings should already have been made during the setup of the autopilot.
¼ Note: Most of the settings should already have been made during the setup of the autopilot computer.
¼ Note: Only some of the settings are described in this document, refer to your autopilot computer
documentation for further information.
2
1
Rudder gain
This parameter determines the ratio between the commanded rudder and the heading error.
More rudder is applied when a higher rudder gain value is used. If the value is too small (B), it takes a long
time to compensate for a heading error, and the autopilot fails to keep a steady course. If the value is set
too high (A), the overshoot increases and the steering is unstable.
A
B
11
Counter rudder
Counter rudder is the amount of counteracting (opposite) rudder applied to stop the turn at the end of a
major course change.
The settings depend on the vessel’s characteristics, inertia, hull shape, and rudder efficiency.
• If the vessel has good dynamic stability, a relatively small value is sufficient.
• An unstable vessel needs a high value.
• The greater the vessel’s inertia, the greater the value needed.
Increasing the counter rudder value can result in some higher rudder activity when steering a straight
course, particularly in high waves.
The best time to check the value of the counter rudder setting is when the autopilot is turning the vessel.
The following illustrations show the effects of various counter rudder settings.
A
A
B
C
B
C
A low counter rudder value causes an overshoot response.
A high counter rudder value causes a sluggish and creeping response.
A correct counter rudder value gives an ideal response.
Perform various course changes and observe how the vessel settles on the new heading. Start with small
changes, 10° - 20°, and proceed with bigger changes, 60° - 90°. Adjust the counter rudder value to get the
best possible response.
¼ Note: Because vessels turn differently to port and starboard (due to propeller rotation direction), you
have to make course changes in both directions. You may end up with a compromised counter rudder
value that gives a little overshoot to one side and a marginal creeping response on the other.
Auto trim
Auto trim (seconds) controls how fast the autopilot will apply a constant heading offset. E.g., when
external forces such as wind or current affects the heading. Lower auto trim will give faster, limitation of a
constant heading offset.
¼ Note: This setting should be increased proportionally with vessel length.
Rate limit
Sets the target rate of turn (degrees per minute) used for a heading change.
Rudder limit
Sets a rudder angle limit when an alert is displayed for maximum rudder angle.
Off heading limit
Sets an alert when the heading changes beyond the set limit.
Track response
Defines how aggressively the autopilot should steer towards the active route’s leg.
12
Track approach angle
This setting is a limit to prevent approaching the track too steeply. Approaching the track at shallower
angles is permitted depending on the cross track distance (XTD) and track response setting. This setting is
used both when you start navigating and whenever the autopilot is working the boat towards the route.
Navigation change limit
Defines the limit for automatic course change to next waypoint in a route when the autopilot is following a
route (NAVIGATION mode). If the course change is greater than this set limit, you are prompted to verify
that the upcoming course change is acceptable.
Init rudder
Sets the rudder starting position after initiation of auto steering. Choose between Actual or Centre
positions.
•
•
Actual — engages the pilot at current rudder angle.
Centre — moves the rudder back to 0°.
13
AUTOPILOT SETTINGS
You can set up the various parameters for a connected autopilot computer here.
Navigate to Settings > Boat network > Devices > select your autopilot computer then select the autopilot
menu (1) to see further options. Here you can configure the various autopilot settings. Select Reset
device to reset the autopilot computer to factory defaults.
2
14
1
© 2024 Navico Group. All Rights Reserved. Navico Group is a division of Brunswick Corporation.
® Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off, and ™ common law marks.
Visit www.navico.com/intellectual-property to review the global trademark rights and accreditations for Navico Group and other entities.
">
