07-23-2017, 09:29 PM
I have had that TR-1 Gold system on my boat for 12 years. The system worked really well for about 6 years. Then one day the kicker turned right and the system locked up. I had to spend $400 for a new gyro. When the system is working correctly it is very good. The TR-1 is old school with a real gyro. Garmin has a new system that you can get that uses an electronic stabilization. I would look into that. Its on their web site. The TR-1 will be around a long time because so many of them were sold. They set the standard for affordable small craft autopilot. I will run mine as long as I can get parts. Which has not been a problem so far. If I were fitting a new system I would shop. Consider that TR-1 is fussy about interface with GPS, magnetic interference with the gyro. Gyro positioning on the boat really has to be aligned with the kicker. There is a limit in rough water as far as how it will hold its heading. Old school controls makes it a challenge to calibrate and set up. The TR-1 attempt to correct heading is adjustable. So when the boat rocks and pitches the motor is waving around like a dog wagging its tail. This correcting is adjustable. Too much sensitivity and correction and it never stops moving your kicker around. Not enough and you drift off course. When you turn you push buttons. As soon as it locks on to the new heading a light goes from blinking to steady. That is the new course. Easy. Throttle control is push button too. But you learn how much as to much and its idle to full throttle! The controls are run by electric wire and there is a feel to it for sure.
My boat is large enough and hard to manage with trying to tiller the kicker. I has a standard 9.9 mercury kicker. The long shaft 9.9 works way better with the autopilot. Especially on boats with more free board. As far as autopilot. I have to have one. I would look at the options and get the most modern one. If the TR-1 was my only option I would get it. Its really nice to fish and not have to baby sit the kicker all the time.
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My boat is large enough and hard to manage with trying to tiller the kicker. I has a standard 9.9 mercury kicker. The long shaft 9.9 works way better with the autopilot. Especially on boats with more free board. As far as autopilot. I have to have one. I would look at the options and get the most modern one. If the TR-1 was my only option I would get it. Its really nice to fish and not have to baby sit the kicker all the time.
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