Panther® 550101A - Model 100 Saltwater Electro-Mechanical Actuator with Electronics

Nice product, easy to install, everything works great

Overall the unit seems to be a good solid piece of equipment. I'm using it on a pontoon boat where you can't even get to the motor with the boat in the water, so something like this was the perfect solution. I installed the trollmaster system with it to control throttle as well. Both steering and throttle are on the same wireless remote. I have it on a Merc Prokicker 15, and the factory steering rod fits perfect with the Panther so we don't have to use the threaded rod, which honestly looks a little tacky. But I understand the need for a very versatile adjustable system. Steering response is moderately fast. A few seconds from lock to lock (about 3 or so) but that doesn't seem to be an issue on a 24 boat, since it moves like a barge at low speeds anyway. Overall, I'm thrilled with its operation. The only thing I've come across that's not perfect is the wireless will occasionally drop to 0 throttle if I'm pressing the steering buttons to quickly. Only happened about 3 times in four hours of trolling. I presume it's something with the wireless communications of the Trollmaster. Press another steering command and the speed bumps right back to where it was, so its no biggie. Installation went smoothly. The only glitch I came across is that it wants to just "hang down". You can't swivel it to be flat and get it to stay. The nut just unscrews and it flops down again. On my boat that was an issue since it would be drooping down into the spray coming between the pontoons. Since there is no transom to rest it on I had to build a bracket to hold it up. Seems to have solved the problem.