مقارن 2026
4 processors / central navigation CPU compared on the criteria that matter in offshore regattas: servo frequency, Wave mode, integrated polars, high-resolution 3D sensor integration, open ecosystem. From entry-level IRC club to top-tier IMOCA/Class40. Supplementary comparator to the cruising autopilot comparator (Raymarine / Garmin / B&G NAC-3).
B&G
1424 € HT
Pour qui : مركب شراعي 35-45 قدمًا، سباق IRC للمبتدئين، طاقم هواة، برنامج سباقات ساحلية + رحلات بحرية عالية الأداء
عرض H5000 CPU HydraB&G
2992 € HT
Pour qui : مركب شراعي 40-55 قدمًا لسباقات IRC النادي / RORC، طاقم سباقات منتظمة، استخدام المتغيرات القطبية VPP، ملاحة تكتيكية جادة
عرض HerculesMadintec
3911 € HT
Pour qui : مراكب شراعية لسباقات المحيطات IMOCA / Class40 / TP52، طاقم سباق مدرب، بحاجة إلى مرجع وضع الموجة ونظام NKE/B&G بيئي مفتوح
عرض صندوق MAD BrainPixel sur Mer
9990 € HT
Pour qui : IMOCA احترافي، Class40 منصات التتويج، Volvo Ocean Race، Vendée Globe، برامج تصميم السباقات (Cammas, Verdier, Lombard). نظام معياري مع واجهات I/O مخصصة.
عرض بيكسل إكسوسيت2026 distributor prices excluding VAT for France, processor only (excludes 3D HR sensors, actuator, displays, installation labor). NKE Gyropilot 3 not listed — catalog being uploaded, quote on request.
| المعيار | B&G H5000 CPU Hydra | B&G Hercules | Madintec MAD Brain Box | Pixel sur Mer Exocet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| سعر معالج HT | ~ 1 424 يورو | ~ 2 992 يورو | ~ 3 911 € | ~ 9 990 € |
| تردد المؤازرة | 10 هرتز | 10 هرتز | 50 هرتز | قابل للتكوين (حتى 200 هرتز) |
| وضع الموجة (أمواج ثلاثية الأبعاد) | أساسي (برنامج Hydra الثابت) | نعم (B&G v3.5 محسّن) | المرجع في السوق (MAD Modes) | متطور (خوارزميات خاصة) |
| منحنيات قطبية مدمجة | لا | نعم (استيراد ORC) | نعم + أوضاع الطيار الآلي الفائق | نعم + الحصول متعدد المصادر |
| مستشعرات ثلاثية الأبعاد عالية الدقة متوافقة | WS320 / WS710 | WS720 / WS730 / B&G كامل | NKE 3D HR II / B&G / Madintec | الكل (NKE, B&G, مستشعرات مخصصة) |
| نظام بيئي للتكامل | B&G مغلق (NAC-3) | B&G مغلق (H5000 + NAC-3) | مفتوح (NKE + B&G + شامل) | مفتوح + مخصص (تناظري + تسلسلي) |
| البرنامج المستهدف | مبتدئ IRC للنادي | IRC نادي + RORC | IMOCA / Class40 هواة | IMOCA محترفين / Class40 منصة تتويج / فولفو |
Our recommendation by race program level, based on 60+ autopilot installations for racing 2020-2026 (IRC cruising regattas, offshore racing, IMOCA, Class40).
دخول IRC
The B&G H5000 CPU Hydra (€1,424 ex-VAT) is the most economical IRC entry-level option. Native NAC-3 integration, 10 Hz frequency sufficient for coastal regattas at amateur level. Limitations: no integrated polars (the autopilot holds course but does not suggest optimal angles). For higher-grade racing (RORC, tactical calculations), upgrade to Hercules.
ميزانية H5000 CPU + مستشعرات WS320 + NAC-3 + مشغل T1 مركب: ~ 7 500 يورو بدون احتساب الضريبة
عرض H5000 CPU HydraIRC جادة
The B&G Hercules (€2,992 ex-VAT) is our standard for French IRC club racing. Polar data imported from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress), real-time layline calculation, Wave refined mode. If you race regularly in IRC club or RORC events, this is the right investment — the €1,500 ex-VAT gap vs the H5000 CPU Hydra pays for itself in pure performance within two seasons.
ميزانية Hercules + مستشعرات H5000 كاملة + NAC-3 + WS720 + مشغل T1/T2: ~ 12 000 يورو بدون احتساب الضريبة
عرض Herculesسباق المحيط
The Madintec MAD Brain Box (€3,911 ex-VAT) is the French offshore racing standard for amateur+ programs. Wave Mode is the market benchmark (often copied, rarely matched), with a 50 Hz frequency and an open ecosystem (NKE / B&G / custom sensors). The preferred core choice for most Class40 and IMOCA "entry-level" campaigns. Often paired with the NKE Gyropilot 3 — the standard French offshore racing combo.
ميزانية MAD Brain Box + مستشعرات NKE 3D HR II + مشغل + شاشات: ~ 18 000-25 000 يورو بدون احتساب الضريبة
عرض MAD Brain Boxسباق الفئة 1
The Pixel sur Mer Exocet (€9,990 ex-works for the base unit) is the French professional standard among race yacht designers (Verdier, Lombard, Cammas Yacht Design). A modular system with custom I/O interfaces (analog, serial), proprietary Wave Mode, and structural sensor acquisition (hull deformation, rigging load). At this level, you move beyond a simple "autopilot" to enter the realm of a tactical navigation central + structural monitoring. Quotation based on a specific specification sheet.
ميزانية نظام Exocet الكامل (وحدة مركزية + واجهات + مستشعرات مخصصة + تكامل): 30,000 إلى 80,000 يورو بدون ضريبة، حسب البرنامج
عرض Pixel ExocetThe 3 mistakes that come up when a customer chooses a racing autopilot processor without a workshop program audit.
The MAD Brain Box is designed for regular offshore racing programs (minimum 4-8 regattas/year, trained crew, polars used). On a sailboat that does 2 coastal regattas + cruising: the Hercules (€2,992 ex-VAT) is more than sufficient, and the €920 ex-VAT saved can fund the WS720 sensors. Always match the processor to the actual racing usage frequency.
Pixel Exocet is a modular pro-level acquisition system — it requires calibrated sensors with custom calibration curves. Plugging in consumer-grade WS320 sensors without a custom analog interface means losing 80 % of the system’s accuracy. If you want Exocet, budget for custom sensors and curves (€5,000–15,000 VAT excluded extra) — otherwise stick with MAD Brain Box or Hercules using consumer-grade sensors.
The H5000 CPU Hydra (1,424 € excl. VAT) is deliberately restricted in firmware (no polar diagrams, no advanced layline features). To unlock the Performance firmware, you need an unlock code (~ 1,585 € excl. VAT). Total: 1,424 + 1,585 = 3,009 € excl. VAT, which is slightly more expensive than buying Hercules directly (2,992 € excl. VAT). If you know in advance that you need polar diagrams, buy Hercules directly.
4 أسئلة لتحديد معالج السباق المناسب لبرنامجك وميزانية نظامك بالكامل.
NKE Marine Electronics is distributed by Skysat — 141 references in the catalog. The complete online listing on the store is in progress (most NKE products are currently in draft, accessible via quote request). The Gyropilot 3 NKE is the French racing standard alongside the Madintec MAD Brain Box (often used together: Gyropilot 3 + MAD Brain Box + NKE 3D HR II sensors). For a quote for the Gyropilot 3 or any NKE product not listed, contact us.
The cruising autopilot comparison tool covers Raymarine Evolution + Garmin Reactor 40 + B&G NAC-3 + B&G H5000 CPU Performance — cruising segment + IRC club. This racing comparison tool goes further: H5000 Hydra + Hercules + MAD Brain Box + Pixel sur Mer Exocet — for offshore racing programs and third-party pro setups. The key difference: here we discuss central navigation processors (tactical + polars + multi-source data acquisition), while there we discuss autopilots (heading-only servo control).
Wave Mode is a control algorithm that anticipates the effect of 3D swell on the boat's trajectory. Without Wave Mode, the autopilot reacts to the heading error after the swell has already caused the boat to drift (delay of 1-2 seconds = 5-10° of heading lost). With properly configured Wave Mode, the autopilot anticipates the arrival of a wave and adjusts preemptively, resulting in a 50% reduction in average heading error in rough seas. 2026 market reference: Madintec MAD Modes (Super-pilot). Good alternative: B&G v3.5 refined (Hercules). H5000 Hydra has a basic version (more limited effect).
The 3D HR (high-resolution 3D) sensors measure wind in 3 axes + compensate heel + heel/heading to provide accurate true wind within ±0.3°. NKE 3D HR II: French racing standard, compatible with Madintec MAD Brain Box and NKE Gyropilot 3. B&G WS720 / WS730: vertical ultrasonic sensors 1.1 m / 1.4 m, compatible with H5000 + Hercules. Pixel sur Mer Exocet: accepts custom calibrated sensors (proprietary analog acquisition). Sensor selection must be made before the processor — not the other way around.
Pixel Exocet is a modular system — the base unit at 9,990 € HT includes the central processing unit + WiFi/Ethernet + I/O acquisition protocol. The complete system adds: expansion modules (Digital In 16 channels ~ 1,200 € HT, connection boxes ~ 500 € HT each, control keypads ~ 320 € HT, custom cables ~ 300 € HT/m). On a full IMOCA, you’re easily looking at 30,000 to 80,000 € HT for an integrated Pixel system, with optional structural monitoring (Luna Technology fiber optic interrogator at 25,573 € HT for Vendée Globe programs).
The used MAD Brain Box market exists (Madintec hardware very reputed for its longevity, units from 8-10 years old are still in service in Class40). Points to check absolutely before buying used: firmware version (advanced MAD modes require firmware ≥ v4.2), condition of I/O connectors (sensitive to corrosion in humid environments), is the warranty still valid (Madintec generally offers 12 months on certified used units). Our recommendation: go through an authorized dealer (Skysat offers a certification service + 6-month warranty on used racing equipment).
Skysat has distributed B&G/Navico, Madintec, Pixel sur Mer, and NKE Marine Electronics since 2018. Comparison based on 60+ race autopilot installations from 2020–2026 — IRC cruising regattas, offshore racing, IMOCA, Class40, TP52. Indicative distributor HT prices for 2026, processor only (excluding 3D HR sensors, actuators, displays, custom interfaces, installation labor, and calibration). NKE Gyropilot 3 referenced in FAQ — NKE catalog being progressively uploaded to the store; quotes available on request for any unlisted reference.
