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Using Third-Party Marine Autopilots with a Garmin Chartplotter

A Garmin chartplotter integrated into a third-party autopilot system will not control or engage the third-party autopilot. It will send navigation information to the third-party autopilot.

How to send navigation information to a third-party autopilot 

  1. Users must  select and start navigating using either the Go To or Route To function on the Garmin chartplotter

  2. After the Go To or Route To has been selected and navigation has begun, users must engage the third-party autopilot using a control panel designed for the autopilot

The Garmin chartplotter will only send Go To and Route To navigation information to the third-party autopilot to follow 

  • The use of the Auto Guidance+™ feature via the Garmin chartplotter will not be available for use with third-party autopilot systems

  • The Garmin chartplotter cannot commission a third-party autopilot; users must use a compatible control panel designed for the autopilot

NOTE:  Auto Guidance+ is only available with Garmin-compatible chartplotters and premium charts. Auto Guidance builds a path the vessel can follow based on user-chosen criteria, including turns, overhead clearance, draft considerations, and how close to the shoreline. Auto Guidance is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations.  The GHC™, Garmin Chartplotters, and Reactor™ Autopilot Remote cannot be used to control a third-party autopilot system