Best Autopilot Core Packs 2026: 12 Picks Compared
The best autopilot core pack for most owners is the Raymarine EV-100 A/P with p70s, because it is the only pick here that names both the control head in the box and the EV-100 line, and it ranks first under this guide's ordering rule. This guide compares 12 core packs on the details each listing states and on live prices, so you can match a pack to the steering you already have.
12 picks from 14 marine autopilots that match this guide with a price we can quote today, made by 6 makers. Every price below is live and carries the moment it was read.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- For an owner who already has a drive aboard: A core pack leaves the drive out of the box, so you can pair it with the hydraulic, mechanical, or linear drive already on your boat. The Raymarine EV-100 A/P with p70s names the control head, which is a good starting point. See pick 1
- For a sailboat with mechanical steering: The Raymarine EV-200 p70 Sailboat Pack is the only pick here that states it is for sailboats, and it names the control head in the box. It suits an owner who wants a pack matched to a sailboat's mechanical steering. See pick 6
- For a boat with an electronic helm: The Garmin Reactor 40 Steer-By-Wire Corepack is the only steer-by-wire pick in this list, and it names the control head in the box. It is for an owner with a Volvo Penta electronic helm, as the title states. See pick 7
- For an owner who wants a control head included: Several picks name the control head in the box, such as the Raymarine EV-200 A/P with P70 and the Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack With GHC50. These suit an owner who wants the control head in the same purchase. See pick 3
The 12 picks
1 Top Core Pack with Control Head
Raymarine Pilot Raymarine T70281 Pilot
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- EV-100
$1,400.03 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks first because its title names both the control head (p70s) and the EV-100 line, while the drive is not included. It is the only pick that names the control head and the line, making it the lead choice under the ordering rule.
Pros
- Control head p70s named in the box
- EV-100 line stated in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Steering type not stated by the seller
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a control head in the core pack
- Those who already have a drive to pair with the EV-100 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A solid core pack that names the control head and the EV-100 line, ranking first for its completeness of stated details.
2 Mechanical Steering Core Pack
Garmin Reactor™ 40 Mechanical/Retrofit/Solenoid Corepack w/GHC™ 50
- Steering
- Mechanical
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$2,249.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks second because its title names the control head (GHC 50) and the steering type (Mechanical), while the drive is not included. It is the only pick that states both the control head and a steering type, placing it just below the top pick.
Pros
- Control head GHC 50 named in the box
- Steering type stated as Mechanical
- Reactor 40 line stated in the title
Cons
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners with mechanical steering who want a control head included
- Those who prefer a pack that states the steering type
Skip if
- You need a drive in the box
- You have hydraulic or another steering type not stated
Verdict: A well-specified core pack for mechanical steering, with the control head named in the box.
3 EV-200 with P70 Control
Raymarine T70155 Pilo Ev-200 A/P with P70 No Drive
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- EV-200
$2,299.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks third because its title names the control head (P70) and the EV-200 line, while the drive is not included. Among control-head picks, it follows the Garmin Mechanical pack in pool order.
Pros
- Control head P70 named in the box
- EV-200 line stated in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Steering type not stated by the seller
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want an EV-200 core pack with a control head
- Those who already have a drive to pair with the EV-200 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A capable EV-200 core pack with the P70 control head named in the box.
4 Reactor 40 with GHC50 Control
Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack With GHC50 Control No Drive
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$2,249.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks fourth because its title names the control head (GHC50) and the Reactor 40 line, while the drive is not included. It follows the EV-200 pick in pool order among control-head picks.
Pros
- Control head GHC50 named in the box
- Reactor 40 line stated in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Steering type not stated by the seller
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a Reactor 40 core pack with a control head
- Those who already have a drive to pair with the Reactor 40 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A Reactor 40 core pack with the GHC50 control head named in the box.
5 EV-400 with P70R Control
Raymarine Pilot Ev-400 A/P with P70R No Drive
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- EV-400
$2,882.84 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks fifth because its title names the control head (P70R) and the EV-400 line, while the drive is not included. It sits after the Reactor 40 Corepack in pool order among control-head picks.
Pros
- Control head P70R named in the box
- EV-400 line stated in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Steering type not stated by the seller
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want an EV-400 core pack with a control head
- Those who already have a drive to pair with the EV-400 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: An EV-400 core pack with the P70R control head named in the box.
6 Sailboat Core Pack with P70
RAYMARINE RAY-T70155 / EV-200 p70 Sailboat Pack No Drive
- Boat type
- Sail
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- EV-200
$2,499.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:32 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks sixth because its title names the control head (P70), the EV-200 line, and states it is for sailboats, while the drive is not included. It follows the EV-400 pick in pool order among control-head picks.
Pros
- Control head P70 named in the box
- EV-200 line stated in the title
- Sailboat type stated in the title
Cons
- Steering type not stated by the seller
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Good fit if
- Owners of sailboats who want a core pack with a control head
- Those who already have a drive to pair with the EV-200 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A sailboat-specific EV-200 core pack with the P70 control head named in the box.
7 Steer-By-Wire Core Pack
Garmin Reactor™ 40 Steer-By-Wire Corepack f/Volvo-Penta®w/GHC™ 50
- Steering
- Steer-by-wire
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$6,599.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:39 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks seventh because its title names the control head (GHC 50) and the steering type (Steer-by-wire), while the drive is not included. It is the only steer-by-wire pick here and sits last among control-head picks in pool order.
Pros
- Control head GHC 50 named in the box
- Steering type stated as Steer-by-wire
- Reactor 40 line stated in the title
Cons
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
- Boat type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners with a Volvo Penta steer-by-wire helm, as the title states
- Those who want a control head included in the pack
Skip if
- You need a drive in the box
- You do not have a steer-by-wire steering system
Verdict: A dedicated steer-by-wire core pack with the control head named, for electronic helm boats.
8 NAC-3 Starter Kit Core Pack
Simrad NAC-3
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Model line
- NAC-3
$2,299.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:41 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks eighth because its title names the NAC-3 line and includes a Precision-9 and N2k Starter Kit, but it does not state the control head or the drive in the box. Among picks that name neither, it leads in pool order.
Pros
- NAC-3 line stated in the title
- Precision-9 and N2k Starter Kit named
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Control head not stated by the seller
- Steering type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a NAC-3 line core pack with a starter kit
- Those who already have a control head and drive
Skip if
- You need a control head in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A NAC-3 core pack with a starter kit, but it leaves the control head and steering type unstated.
9 NavPilot 300 with PG700
Furuno NAVPILOT300/PG Navpilot300 Autopilot With Pg700 Requires Pump
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Model line
- NavPilot 300
$1,127.50 price as of 2026-10-11 18:07 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks ninth because its title names the NavPilot 300 line and includes a PG700, but it does not state the control head or the drive in the box. It follows the NAC-3 pick in pool order among picks that name neither.
Pros
- NavPilot 300 line stated in the title
- PG700 named in the title
- Requires pump, as stated for a core pack
Cons
- Control head not stated by the seller
- Steering type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a NavPilot 300 core pack with a PG700
- Those who already have a pump and control head
Skip if
- You need a control head in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A NavPilot 300 core pack with a PG700, but it leaves the control head and steering type unstated.
10 NAC-2 Core Pack with Feedback
Simrad 000-13335-001 Pilot
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Model line
- NAC-2
$1,789.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:32 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks tenth because its title names the NAC-2 line and includes feedback, but it does not state the control head or the drive in the box. It follows the Furuno pick in pool order among picks that name neither.
Pros
- NAC-2 line stated in the title
- Feedback named in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Control head not stated by the seller
- Steering type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a NAC-2 core pack with feedback
- Those who already have a control head and drive
Skip if
- You need a control head in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A NAC-2 core pack with feedback, but it leaves the control head and steering type unstated.
11 Reactor 40 Without Control Head
Garmin Pilot
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Control head
- Not included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$1,799.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:32 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks eleventh because its title names the Reactor 40 line but states that the control head is not included, and the drive is not included either. It sits after the NAC-2 Feedback pick in pool order among picks that name neither the control head nor the drive in the box.
Pros
- Reactor 40 line stated in the title
- No pump, as stated for a core pack
- Control head not included, as stated
Cons
- Control head not included in the box
- Steering type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who already have a control head and drive
- Those who want a Reactor 40 core pack without extra components
Skip if
- You need a control head in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A Reactor 40 core pack that leaves the control head out, for owners who already have one.
12 NAC-2 Core Pack with Virtual Feedback
Simrad 000-13337-001 Pilot
- Drive in the box
- Not included
- Model line
- NAC-2
$1,479.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:32 UTC (Details)
This pick ranks twelfth because its title names the NAC-2 line and includes virtual feedback, but it does not state the control head or the drive in the box. It is the last pick in pool order among picks that name neither.
Pros
- NAC-2 line stated in the title
- Virtual feedback named in the title
- Drive not included, as expected for a core pack
Cons
- Control head not stated by the seller
- Steering type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Owners who want a NAC-2 core pack with virtual feedback
- Those who already have a control head and drive
Skip if
- You need a control head in the box
- You prefer a pack that states the steering type
Verdict: A NAC-2 core pack with virtual feedback, but it leaves the control head and steering type unstated.
Side by side
| # | Marine autopilot | Steering | Boat type | Drive in the box | Control head | Model line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raymarine Pilot Raymarine T70281 Pilot | not stated | not stated | Not included | Included | EV-100 |
| 2 | Garmin Reactor™ 40 Mechanical/Retrofit/Solenoid Corepack w/GHC™ 50 | Mechanical | not stated | Not included | Included | Reactor 40 |
| 3 | Raymarine T70155 Pilo Ev-200 A/P with P70 No Drive | not stated | not stated | Not included | Included | EV-200 |
| 4 | Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack With GHC50 Control No Drive | not stated | not stated | Not included | Included | Reactor 40 |
| 5 | Raymarine Pilot Ev-400 A/P with P70R No Drive | not stated | not stated | Not included | Included | EV-400 |
| 6 | RAYMARINE RAY-T70155 / EV-200 p70 Sailboat Pack No Drive | not stated | Sail | Not included | Included | EV-200 |
| 7 | Garmin Reactor™ 40 Steer-By-Wire Corepack f/Volvo-Penta®w/GHC™ 50 | Steer-by-wire | not stated | Not included | Included | Reactor 40 |
| 8 | Simrad NAC-3 | not stated | not stated | Not included | not stated | NAC-3 |
| 9 | Furuno NAVPILOT300/PG Navpilot300 Autopilot With Pg700 Requires Pump | not stated | not stated | Not included | not stated | NavPilot 300 |
| 10 | Simrad 000-13335-001 Pilot | not stated | not stated | Not included | not stated | NAC-2 |
| 11 | Garmin Pilot | not stated | not stated | Not included | Not included | Reactor 40 |
| 12 | Simrad 000-13337-001 Pilot | not stated | not stated | Not included | not stated | NAC-2 |
How we picked
This guide draws from a pool of 12 priced core packs. The ordering rule ranks picks first by whether the title names the control head in the box (since no core pack names a drive in the box), then those that name neither the control head nor the drive in the box, and inside each tier by the order in the pool file. Core packs are compared on stated details and live prices only; no claim is made about installation, performance, or fit beyond what the listing states. The top pick is the Raymarine EV-100 A/P with p70s, which names the control head and the EV-100 line.
How to choose
Start with the steering you already have
A core pack leaves the drive out of the box, so the first decision is matching the pack to the steering your boat already has. The listings here state steering types in some cases, such as the Garmin Reactor 40 Mechanical/Retrofit/Solenoid Corepack and the Garmin Reactor 40 Steer-By-Wire Corepack. If the steering type is not stated by the seller, check the maker's page and the listing to confirm what your boat needs.
Sail or power
Core packs are sold for both sail and power boats, but not every listing states which one it suits. In this pool, only the Raymarine EV-200 p70 Sailboat Pack states that it is for sailboats. If the boat type is not stated by the seller, you will need to read the listing or the maker's page to see whether the pack is meant for your kind of boat.
Complete pack or core pack
A core pack is defined by what it leaves out: the drive. The title of each pick here says no drive, requires pump, or core pack, which means you will need to supply or choose a drive separately. If you want a pack that includes the drive, look for a complete pack instead. This guide only covers core packs, so every pick here expects you to have or buy a drive.
Control head in the box or bought separately
Some core packs name the control head in the box, such as the Raymarine EV-100 A/P with p70s and the Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack With GHC50. Others, like the Garmin Reactor 40 w/o GHC, state that the control head is not included. If the control head is not stated by the seller, you will need to check the listing to see whether it is part of the pack or a separate purchase.
Reading the model line
The model line, such as EV-100, EV-200, Reactor 40, NAC-2, NAC-3, or NavPilot 300, is a name on the listing. It tells you which family the pack belongs to, but it does not tell you which drive or control head fits your boat. Use the line name to identify the pack, then confirm the details on the maker's page and the listing.
What this guide leaves out (and why)
This guide compares core packs on the details each listing states and on live prices. It does not claim to know how a pack performs on the water, how long installation takes, or which boat size it suits, because the catalogue has no data for those. For questions about fit, performance, or installation, consult the maker's page and a qualified installer.
Questions
What is a core pack in an autopilot?
A core pack is an autopilot package that does not include the drive unit. The title of each pick here says no drive, requires pump, or core pack, which means you will need to supply or choose a drive separately. Core packs are for owners who already have a drive aboard or who want to select one for their steering system.
Does this guide say which boat size or sea state an autopilot handles?
No. The catalogue has no data for boat size, displacement, or sea state, so this guide does not guess. The listings state only the details given, such as steering type, boat type, and whether the drive or control head is included. For fit and performance questions, check the maker's page and consult a qualified installer.
How are the core packs in this guide compared?
The core packs are compared on the details stated in each listing and on live prices. The ordering rule ranks picks first by whether the title names the control head in the box, then those that name neither the control head nor the drive in the box, and inside each tier by the order in the pool file. No claim is made about performance or installation.
Can I use a core pack with any drive?
This guide does not claim that any drive fits any core pack. The listings state the steering type in some cases, such as mechanical or steer-by-wire, but not always. You need to read the listing and the maker's page to confirm which drive is compatible with the pack and with your boat's steering.
Why do some picks not state the steering type?
Some listings do not include the steering type in the title, and this guide never guesses a missing detail. When the steering type is not stated by the seller, the pick is compared on the other details it does state, such as the control head or the model line. Check the listing for more information.
Recent updates
- : First published.