Opening The Autopilot Screen; Autopilot Screen; Adjusting The Step Steering Increment; Setting The Power Saver - Garmin GPSMAP 7x2 Owner's Manual

Always be prepared to promptly regain manual control of your
boat.
Learn to operate the autopilot on calm and hazard-free open
water.
Use caution when operating the autopilot near hazards in the
water, such as docks, pilings, and other boats.
The autopilot system continuously adjusts the steering of your
boat to maintain a constant heading (heading hold). The system
also allows manual steering and several modes of automatic-
steering functions and patterns.
When the chartplotter is connected to a compatible Garmin
autopilot system, you can engage and control the autopilot from
the chartplotter. For information about compatible Garmin
autopilot systems, go to garmin.com.
When the chartplotter is connected to a compatible Yamaha
autopilot system, you can control the autopilot from the
chartplotter using the Yamaha autopilot screen and overlay bar
(Yamaha Autopilot, page 42). For information about compatible
Yamaha autopilot systems, contact your Yamaha dealer.

Opening the Autopilot Screen

Before you can open the autopilot screen, you must have a
compatible Garmin autopilot installed and configured.
Select A/V, Gauges, Controls > Autopilot.

Autopilot Screen

Actual heading
Intended heading (heading the autopilot is steering toward)
Actual heading (when in standby mode)
Intended heading (when engaged)
Rudder position indicator (This functionality is available only when a
rudder sensor is connected.)

Adjusting the Step Steering Increment

1 From the Autopilot screen, select Menu > Autopilot Setup >
Step Turn Size.
2 Select an increment.

Setting the Power Saver

You can adjust the level of rudder activity.
1 From the autopilot screen, select Menu > Autopilot Setup >
Power Mode Setup > Power Saver.
2
Select a percentage.
Selecting a higher percentage reduces rudder activity and
heading performance. The higher the percentage, the more
the course deviates before the autopilot corrects it.
TIP: In choppy conditions at low speeds, increasing the
Power Saver percentage reduces rudder activity.

Enabling Shadow Drive

NOTE: The Shadow Drive feature is not available on all
autopilot models.
From the autopilot screen, select Menu > Autopilot Setup >
Shadow Drive > Enabled.
40
™

Selecting the Preferred Heading Source

For best results, use the autopilot CCU internal compass for the
heading source. Using a third-party GPS compass can cause
the data to be delivered erratically and may result in excessive
delays. The autopilot needs timely information, and therefore
cannot often use third-party GPS compass data for GPS
location or speed. If a third-party GPS compass is used, the
autopilot will likely report loss of navigation data and speed
source periodically.
If you have more than one heading source on the network, you
can select a your preferred source. The source could be a
compatible GPS compass or a magnetic heading sensor.
1
From the autopilot screen, select Menu > Autopilot Setup >
® Preferred Sources
2
Select a source.
If the selected heading source is unavailable, the autopilot
screen does not display any data.

Autopilot Overlay Bar

NOTE: Not all options are available on all autopilot models.
Autopilot mode
Enables the heading hold
Steers left
Actual heading
Rudder position indicator (available only when a rudder sensor is
connected)
Intended heading (heading the autopilot is steering toward)
Steers right
Engages the steering pattern
Opens the full autopilot screen and menu

Engaging the Autopilot

When you engage the autopilot, the autopilot takes control of the
helm and steers the boat to maintain your heading.
From any screen, select Engage.
Your intended heading shows in the center of the Autopilot
screen.

Adjusting the Heading with the Helm

NOTE: You must enable the Shadow Drive feature before you
can adjust the heading using the helm
Drive ™ , page 40).
With the autopilot engaged, manually steer the boat.
The autopilot activates Shadow Drive mode.
When you release the helm and manually maintain a specific
heading for a few seconds, the autopilot resumes a heading
hold at the new heading.
Adjusting the Heading with the Chartplotter in Step
Steering Mode
Before you can steer your boat using the keys at the bottom of
the autopilot screen, you must engage the autopilot
the Autopilot, page
• Select <1° or 1°> to initiate a single 1° turn.
• Select <<10° or 10°>> to initiate a single 10° turn.
• Hold <1° or 1°> to initiate a rate-controlled turn.
The boat continues to turn until you let go of the key.
NOTICE
(Enabling Shadow
40).
(Engaging
Autopilot