ControlHead

Button functions:

The function of the buttons depends on the current mode of the Autopilot.

Standby Mode

A. Standby Mode ("Standby" is shown on the display)

• Arrow buttons: Move the tiller in or out. When held, the speed gradually increases.

• M button: Opens the menu.

• A button: Activates the Autopilot (Auto mode).

B. Auto Mode (Green LED is on, two headings are shown on the display)

Auto Mode

• Arrow buttons:

  • Short press: adjusts heading by 1 degree.

  • Press and hold: steps increase from 5° to 10°, up to a maximum of 100°.

• M button: Opens the menu.

• A button: Deactivates the Autopilot (returns to Standby mode).

C. Menu Mode

• Arrow buttons: Navigate up and down.

• M button: Selects and activates the highlighted option.

• A button: Returns to the main screen.

Menu functions:

Tack – Tack Function:

• Press M to select the first menu option: Tack.

• Press M again to activate the tack function.

• You will automatically return to the main screen. The green LED will blink to indicate that the tack function is active.

• Use the arrow buttons to tack as many times as needed.

• To exit tack mode, press A twice.

• Tack settings can be adjusted via the web interface on the Profiles page.

---

Mode – Select Heading Source:

• Press the right arrow to go to the second menu option: Mode.

• Press M to select the heading mode.

• Depending on available data, you can choose from:

  • Compass

  • GPS (COG)

  • Apparent Wind

  • True Wind

  • Navigation

• After selecting the desired heading source with M, return to the main screen by pressing A.

The selected mode is indicated by a square around the corresponding letter: C = Compass, G = GPS (COG), W = Apparent Wind, T = True Wind, N = Navigation

Description of the Modes

Compass (C) The Compass mode is the most basic mode and is always supported thanks to the internal compass sensors. Other modes may fall back to this mode if data from other sources is unavailable. Compass mode keeps the boat aligned to a specific magnetic heading. When first using the autopilot, it is recommended to test this mode, as other modes often rely on a properly functioning compass.

GPS (G) The GPS mode uses the GPS course (COG) to adjust the boat’s orientation. This ensures that the boat moves in a specific direction relative to true north.

Note: This does not necessarily mean the boat will point in that direction, for example due to drift or currents.

GPS mode is especially useful for maintaining a consistent travel direction over ground. Due to the relatively low update rate of GPS data, the compass and gyroscopes remain essential for fast course corrections.

Apparent Wind (W) The Wind mode uses the apparent wind, measured by wind sensors, to steer the boat at a fixed angle relative to the wind. This mode is particularly useful when sailing close-hauled and in shifting wind conditions. If necessary, noise in the wind measurement can be dampened or adjusted to achieve more stable steering behavior.

True Wind (T) The True Wind mode combines apparent wind data with the boat’s water speed (or GPS speed if no water speed sensor is available) to calculate the true wind direction over the water (or ground). The autopilot then steers based on this true wind angle. This mode is especially suitable for downwind courses, where sudden accelerations could otherwise have a major impact on the apparent wind.

Navigation (N) When you activate a waypoint or route in your navigation program and send this information to the autopilot, the N - Navigation To Waypoint function becomes available in the "mode" selection. By choosing this mode while in AUTO, the autopilot will automatically steer towards the selected waypoint.

• If the waypoint or route is canceled, the autopilot will maintain the current heading, based on GPS/COG.

• If you subsequently activate a new waypoint or route, the autopilot will automatically follow the new destination, provided you remain in Navigation Mode.

• If you manually change modes (for example to Standby or another automatic mode), the autopilot will no longer follow the active waypoint or route.

Profile

Select one of the available steering profiles. You can create and adjust new profiles via the web interface under Profiles and Tuning.

Backlight – Screen Brightness

Select this option with M. Use the arrow buttons to make the screen brighter or dimmer. The brightness of the green LED (visible in Auto mode) adjusts automatically.

Contrast

• Select this option with M.

• Adjust the contrast using the arrow buttons.

• Press M to save the setting.

Compass (lock)

• Select this option with M.

• Select 'locked' or 'unlocked'

• Press M to save the setting.

WiFi

Have you changed the WiFi mode to Client via the web interface and lost access to it? Follow these steps to restore the default WiFi Access Point:

1. Go to the Settings menu and press M.

2. Select Control, then WiFi, and choose Defaults with M.

3. Press A to return to the main screen.

After a few moments, the WiFi access point pcnautic_AP will reappear.

The device’s IP address is displayed at the bottom of the WiFi menu.

Info

Select this option with M to show the current firmware version

Tip: For adjusting additional settings, it is recommended to use the web interface for better overview and control.