2026 Comparator
4 processors / central navigation CPU compared on the criteria that matter in offshore regattas: servo frequency, Wave mode, integrated polars, 3D HR sensor integration, open ecosystem. From entry-level IRC club to top-tier IMOCA/Class40. Complementary comparator to the cruising autopilot comparator (Raymarine / Garmin / B&G NAC-3).
B&G
1424 € HT
Pour qui : 35-45 ft sailboat, IRC entry race, amateur crew, coastal regatta + performance cruising program
View H5000 CPU HydraB&G
2992 € HT
Pour qui : 40-55ft racing sailboat IRC club / RORC, regular regatta crew, VPP polars used, serious tactical navigation
View HerculesMadintec
3911 € HT
Pour qui : IMOCA / Class40 / TP52 offshore racing sailboat, trained racing crew, need Wave Mode reference and open NKE/B&G ecosystem
View MAD Brain BoxPixel sur Mer
9990 € HT
Pour qui : IMOCA pro, Class40 podium, Volvo Ocean Race, Vendée Globe, racing architecture programs (Cammas, Verdier, Lombard). Modular system with custom I/O interfaces.
View Pixel Exocet2026 distributor prices excluding VAT in France, processor only (excluding 3D HR sensors, excluding ram, excluding displays, excluding installation labor). NKE Gyropilot 3 not listed — catalog being uploaded, quote on request.
| Criteria | B&G H5000 CPU Hydra | B&G Hercules | Madintec MAD Brain Box | Pixel sur Mer Exocet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor price (excl. VAT) | ~ 1,424 USD | ~ 2,992 USD | ~ 3,911 USD | ~ 9,990 USD |
| Servo frequency | 10 Hz | 10 Hz | 50 Hz | Configurable (up to 200 Hz) |
| Wave Mode (3D swell) | Basic (Hydra firmware) | Yes (B&G v3.5 refined) | Market reference (MAD Modes) | Advanced (proprietary algorithms) |
| Integrated polars | No | Yes (ORC import) | Yes + Super-pilot Modes | Yes + multi-source acquisition |
| Compatible 3D HR sensors | WS320 / WS710 | WS720 / WS730 / B&G full | NKE 3D HR II / B&G / Madintec | All (NKE, B&G, custom sensors) |
| Integration ecosystem | B&G closed (NAC-3) | B&G closed (H5000 + NAC-3) | Open (NKE + B&G + universal) | Open + custom (analog + serial) |
| Target program | IRC club entry | IRC club + RORC | IMOCA / Class40 amateur | IMOCA pro / Class40 podium / Volvo |
Our recommendation by racing program level, based on 60+ race autopilot installations from 2020-2026 (habitable IRC regattas, offshore racing, IMOCA, Class40).
IRC entry
B&G H5000 CPU Hydra (1 424 € ilma käibemaksuta)
on kõige odavam IRC-süsteemi sisselülitamise võimalus. Native NAC-3 ühendus, 10 Hz sagedus, piisav rannikuregataks osalejate jaoks. Piirangud: sisse ehitatud polaarid puuduvad (piloot hoiab kurssi, kuid ei pakku optimaalset nurka). Järgmiseks tasemeks (RORC, taktikalised arvutused) soovitame Hercules.
H5000 CPU + WS320 sensors + NAC-3 + T1 actuator installed budget: ~ €7,500 ex. VAT
View H5000 CPU HydraSerious IRC
B&G Hercules (2 992 € HT) on meie standard IRC klubide jaoks. Polaarid imporditud ORC-st (Offshore Racing Congress), reaalajas layline’i aegade arvutus, Wave refinedi režiim. Kui võistlete regulaarselt IRC-i tasemel klubis või RORC-s, on see hea investeering — 1 500 € HT hinnavahe H5000 CPU Hydra suhtes tasub end ära juba kahe hooaja jooksul puhtas sooritusvõimes.
Hercules + complete H5000 sensors + NAC-3 + WS720 + T1/T2 actuator budget: ~ €12,000 ex. VAT
View HerculesOffshore racing
Madintec MAD Brain Box (3 911 € HT) on prantsuse võistlussõidu standard harrastajatele ja poolprofessionaalidele. Wave-režiim on turu viitaja (sageli jäljendatud, kuid harva ületatud), 50 Hz sagedus, avatud ökosüsteem (NKE / B&G / kohandatud andurid). Valitud enamiku Class40 harrastajate ja IMOCA "esimese hinna" süsteemide südameks. Sageli kasutatud koos NKE Gyropilot 3-ga — prantsuse võistlussõidu standardkomplekt.
Budget MAD Brain Box + NKE 3D HR II sensors + ram + displays: ~ €18,000–25,000 ex. VAT
View MAD Brain BoxTier 1 racing
Pixel sur Mer Exocet (9 990 € ilma käibemaksuta baaskeskseeli kohta) on prantsuse professionaalide standard võistlusarendajate seas (Verdier, Lombard, Cammas Yacht Design). Modulaarne süsteem individuaalsete I/O-liideste (analogsed, jadaliidesed) ja Wave-režiimiga. Sensoriandmete hankimine konstruktsiooniandmetest (kujumuutus, mastikuorman). Sellesse tasemesse jõudes ei ole tegemist enam lihtsalt "piloodiga", vaid taktikalise navigatsioonikeskseega + konstruktsiooni jälgimisega. Pakkumus vastavalt spetsiifilisele tehnilistele nõuetele.
Budget for complete Exocet system (central unit + interfaces + custom sensors + integration): €30,000–80,000 ex. VAT depending on program
View Pixel ExocetThe 3 mistakes that come up when a customer chooses their racing 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 off-the-shelf 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 off-the-shelf sensors.
The H5000 CPU Hydra (€1,424 ex-VAT) is intentionally firmware-limited (no polars, no advanced Layline). To unlock the Performance firmware, you need an unlock code (~€1,585 ex-VAT). Total: 1,424 + 1,585 = €3,009 ex-VAT, slightly more expensive than the Hercules directly (€2,992 ex-VAT). If you know in advance that you want polars, buy the Hercules directly.
4 questions to identify the racing processor suited to your program and your complete system budget.
NKE Marine Electronics is distributed by Skysat — 141 references in the catalog. Full online availability on the store is in progress (most NKE products are currently in draft and accessible via quote). 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 professional tiers. The key difference: here we talk about central navigation processors (tactical + polars + multi-source data acquisition), whereas there we talk about autopilots (heading-only 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 deviation 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, reducing average heading deviation by 50% in rough seas. 2026 market reference: Madintec MAD Modes (Super-pilot). A good alternative is B&G v3.5 refined (Hercules). The H5000 Hydra has a basic version (more limited effect).
The 3D HR sensors (high-resolution 3D) measure wind in 3 axes + compensate heel + heel/heading to provide accurate true wind to ±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 choice must be made before the processor — not the other way around.
Pixel Exocet is a modular system — the base central unit at 9 990 € HT includes the 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, the integrated Pixel system easily runs from 30 000 to 80 000 € HT, 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). Mandatory checks before purchase: firmware version (advanced MAD modes require firmware ≥ v4.2), condition of I/O connectors (sensitive to corrosion in humid environments), is warranty still valid (Madintec usually 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. Comparator based on 60+ autopilot installations for racing 2020–2026 — IRC cruising regattas, offshore racing, IMOCA, Class40, TP52. 2026 indicative distributor prices (VAT excluded) for processor only (excluding 3D HR sensors, rams, 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.
