Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot SmartPump v2 + GHC 20

The Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with SmartPump v2 and GHC 20 (part 010-00705-79) is the complete hydraulic autopilot package: course computer unit, hydraulic steering pump, and dedicated helm display, all in one OEM-matched bundle. The Reactor 40 platform is Garmin's most responsive autopilot system, originally developed for commercial marine use and now packaged for the recreational powerboat and sailboat market. Combined with the brushless SmartPump v2 (the one-size-fits-most hydraulic pump that handles most hydraulically-steered boats from 25 to 60+ feet) and the GHC 20 display (the dedicated helm controller with the autopilot's full feature set on a touch-button-and-knob keypad), this Corepack gives you a complete autopilot install in one purchase.

What makes Reactor 40 different. Older recreational autopilots use a separate fluxgate compass and rate gyro, with the heading and motion data fused in software. The result was good but not great: noticeable heading wander in chop, occasional course deviation in cross-currents, and rudder movement that felt jerky rather than smooth. The Reactor 40's solid-state 9-axis AHRS (3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis magnetometer integrated in one solid-state package) replaces all of that with a single high-precision sensor unit. The result: minimal heading error, minimal course deviation even in cross-currents, smooth precise rudder movement, lower power consumption, and a comfortable ride for everyone aboard. Anglers and cruisers who upgrade from older autopilots typically notice the difference within the first hour at sea.

9-axis AHRS mounts in any orientation. The solid-state AHRS doesn't require a specific physical mounting orientation. Mount the Reactor 40 CCU on a bulkhead, on a deck, sideways, upside-down - the AHRS auto-calibrates to whatever orientation it's installed in. That eliminates one of the historic install headaches with older autopilots (finding a flat horizontal mounting location that's also far from any ferrous metal that would deflect the compass). The Reactor 40 mounts almost anywhere.

SmartPump v2: one-size-fits-most. Older hydraulic autopilot installs required matching the pump to the boat's specific steering cylinder volume - the wrong-sized pump would steer too slowly (undersized) or be unsafe (oversized). The SmartPump v2 solves the sizing problem by automatically adjusting maximum flow rate from 0 to 2.4 liters per minute based on the boat's steering response during commissioning. One pump SKU works for most hydraulically-steered boats from about 25 feet up to 60+ feet. No more guessing which pump fits, no more wrong-pump returns and re-orders.

Brushless motor for reliability and safety. SmartPump v2 uses a brushless DC motor (the same motor technology used in modern electric vehicles and in higher-end power tools). Brushless motors have no commutator brushes to wear, which means much longer service life than the brushed motors in older autopilot pumps. Brushless also runs quieter, runs cooler at the same output, and consumes less power per volume of hydraulic fluid moved. And critically: the brushless motor drive electronics eliminate the risk of rudder hard-over from a hardware or software failure (older brushed-motor pumps could fail in a way that drove the rudder hard to one side - dangerous). The brushless drive fails safe.

Intelligent Rudder Rate Technology (IRRT). The SmartPump v2 reads the boat's speed (from the connected GPS source) and adjusts the rudder rate accordingly: faster rudder rate at low speed (when the boat needs more steering input to turn) and slower rudder rate at high speed (when small steering inputs translate to big course changes). The result: precise low-speed maneuvering plus stable high-speed cruising, all from the same autopilot system. IRRT is one of the features that makes the Reactor 40 feel meaningfully smoother than older fixed-rate autopilots.

Shadow Drive technology. Shadow Drive is the autopilot's automatic disengage-on-wheel-input feature. With Shadow Drive enabled, you can grab the wheel at any time without first pressing a disengage button. The autopilot detects the manual steering input (small pressure changes in the hydraulic line from your wheel input) and seamlessly hands control to you. Release the wheel and the autopilot resumes the previous course. Useful for the constant micro-adjustments boat operators make in close-quarters maneuvering or in changing sea conditions, where the old approach of pressing disengage every time would interrupt the workflow.

GHC 20 dedicated helm display. The GHC 20 is Garmin's dedicated autopilot control display: a 4-inch black-and-white reflective display with rotary knob, programmable soft keys, and the autopilot's full feature set on the front panel. The dedicated display means autopilot control isn't buried in a chartplotter menu - it's right there at the helm with one-touch access to mode select (heading hold, GPS route navigation, wind hold for sailboats, dodge, pattern), course set, and the standby / engage controls. The GHC 20 is rated for direct sun helm installation with the reflective display staying readable in direct sunlight.

Full integration with Garmin chartplotters. With a networked Garmin chartplotter on the boat, the Reactor 40 takes routing commands from the chartplotter for waypoint and route navigation. Combined with BlueChart g2 Vision charts, the system supports Auto Guidance: the chartplotter calculates a navigation route from your current position to a destination based on the boat's draft and the chart's depth and obstruction data, and the autopilot follows that route automatically. Auto Guidance is for planning purposes - you still verify the route for safe navigation - but it's a significant time saver vs. manually drawing routes.

Saltwater-tough construction. The SmartPump v2 housing is engineered from corrosion-resistant components: anodized aluminum case, nickel-plated steel internal parts, and saltwater-rated electrical connectors. The Reactor 40 CCU is sealed against humidity and bilge spray. The GHC 20 helm display is rated for direct exposure to marine helm conditions. The full system is designed to live on the boat year-round in saltwater service without significant maintenance.

Color-coded connectors. SmartPump v2 uses color-coded electrical and hydraulic connectors to eliminate wiring errors during install. Match colors at install, the install is correct. Reduces install time and reduces the risk of wiring mistakes that would damage the system at first power-up.

What's in the box. Reactor 40 CCU (course computer unit with the 9-axis AHRS), SmartPump v2 hydraulic pump with brushless motor and IRRT, GHC 20 dedicated autopilot helm display, all required cabling between the components, hydraulic plumbing fittings, mounting hardware, and install instructions. Required separately: the boat's existing hydraulic steering system (the Reactor 40 ties into your existing helm hydraulics), 12V power source with appropriate fuse, and any chartplotter integration cabling for Garmin Marine Network connection (optional, for chartplotter-driven navigation).

Compatible with Garmin networked chartplotters via NMEA 2000 + Marine Network for waypoint and route navigation, Auto Guidance, and full chartplotter-side control of the autopilot. The autopilot also operates standalone (without a chartplotter) using the GHC 20 helm display alone.

2-year limited Garmin warranty on each component. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.