Simrad WR10 Bluetooth Wireless Remote Control with Base Station

[BozSail]

For those using the Simrad WR10 autopilot remote control unit (with BT-1 base)... what has been your experience? I have the WR20 remote controller, and it is absolutely a piece of junk. Many others have complained about it previously on this board and Simrad has failed to stand behind that unit. I have the Simrad AP24 autopilot system, which I am very satisfied with. I'd like to get a remote controller that works and is reliable.

[PeterSailor]

There is some good comment on thehulltruth.com . I did not see any bad comment yet.

[smac999]

I put one on a 75' boat and it worked bow to stern. surprised me for Bluetooth.

only tried it briefly in yard. no idea on actual results

[lutz1982]

tempted to buy the wr10 but it is such an expensive remote device.... i mean... bluetooth with 2 buttons should be less than 50dollars

[noelex 77]

We have two of these base stations and three remote controls.

They are expensive for the electronics involved, but work reliably despite some hard knocks and wet conditions.

The only issue we have experienced was with one of the original remote units. It was supplied with Duracell batteries that leaked and caused some internal corrosion after only six months use. With some TLC I coaxed it back into life, but I was foolish not to replace these leak prone batteries with something more suitable from the start.

Other than the above problem they work perfectly.

[Rucksta]

Originally Posted by lutz1982

tempted to buy the wr10 but it is such an expensive remote device.... i mean... bluetooth with 2 buttons should be less than 50dollars

5 buttons, an LED, BT receiver, attached wire, $50.00 proprietary plug, 3 branded lanyards and nice box.

Looks like a garage door opener.

Works great.

I think it's may be the cheapest thing in the Simrad catalogue.

[Rucksta]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

We have two of these base stations and three remote controls.

They are expensive for the electronics involved, but work reliably despite some hard knocks and wet conditions.

The only issue we have experienced was with one of the original remote units. It was supplied with Duracell batteries that leaked and caused some internal corrosion after only six months use. With some TLC I coaxed it back into life, but I was foolish not to replace these leak prone batteries with something more suitable from the start.

Mine did that at 14 months.
Warranty exchange no problem.
B&G paid the freight both ways.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by smac999

I put one on a 75' boat and it worked bow to stern. surprised me for Bluetooth.

only tried it briefly in yard. no idea on actual results

Our units are mounted below deck in the technical room of an aluminium boat. The aluminium structure is great faraday cage and I expected this location not to work, but it functions perfectly. We have never noted a failure to respond to a command.

[noelex 77]

The remote units are only small. We wear ours permanently around our necks when on watch.

One tip. Don’t go off watch still wearing the remote. If you roll over in your sleep interesting course changes can result, confounding the helmsman.

Not that this has never occurred on our vessel .

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Rucksta

Mine did that at 14 months.
Warranty exchange no problem.
B&G paid the freight both ways.

Glad to hear you received good service. I noted a second unit that I purchased later did not have Duracell batteries, so perhaps B&G are learning from this feedback.

In my case I am sure they would have honoured a warranty replacement, but as is often is the case when travelling from country to country with no stable delivery address it was more practical to effect a repair myself, although the issue was still annoying.

Hopefully, our posts will help others avoid experiencing this problem. This type of exchange of information is one of the great advantages of Cruisers Forum.