There are cheaper ones but they won't perform as well. Simrad pilots are made by Robertson and in my opinion are more reliable and better performing that any other autopilot on the market for that sort of price. You will also get service and spares for it when it gets old. I just had my software upgraded at nominal cost to give me high speed rate stabilised output from the compass. My pilot is 12 years old! If you go to Raymarine you will find the kit obsolete and no longer supported at half that age. Get yer wallet out and buy the best. You wont regret it!