T70214 Raymarine EV-DBW Evolution Autopilot Pack (Volvo IPS/Aquamatic Edition)

The Raymarine EV-DBW Volvo Edition (Part Number T70214) is a complete Evolution autopilot pack optimized for boats equipped with Volvo Penta IPS or Aquamatic drive-by-wire systems. “EV-DBW” stands for Evolution Drive-By-Wire, meaning this autopilot interfaces directly with Volvo’s electronic steering controls without needing a traditional hydraulic drive unit. In the box, you’ll find everything required to add a state-of-the-art autopilot to your Volvo-powered vessel:

• p70Rs Autopilot Control Head: A premium, full-color control unit with a rotary dial and push-buttons. The p70Rs is the helm interface – it allows you to engage/disengage the autopilot, adjust course, switch modes, and view navigation data. Designed with powerboaters in mind, it has an intuitive menu and can display information in various languages. The rotary knob makes fine course adjustments easy (1° or 10° increments), and the high-contrast display is sunlight-readable and night-friendly.
• EV-2 Sensor Core: The “brain” of the Evolution system – a 9-axis solid-state sensor module and course computer in one. This single unit, about the size of a small tablet, contains accelerometers, rate gyros, and a compass. It monitors your boat’s motion in all three dimensions (heading, pitch, roll, yaw) and uses advanced aerospace-derived algorithms to evolve and adapt to changing sea conditions. The EV-2 is unique because it’s built specifically for drive-by-wire systems: it has an integrated CAN Bus port to connect directly to Volvo’s steering network (unlike the EV-1 which only outputs to SeaTalkng). You can mount the EV-2 almost anywhere on board (it’s fully sealed and tamper-proof) and simply plug it into your SeaTalkng / NMEA2000 network – no calibration needed beyond an initial brief compass swing.
• ECI-100 Engine & Control Interface: This module bridges the communication between the Raymarine SeaTalkng/NMEA2000 network and the Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system. In essence, the ECI-100 “speaks” both the Raymarine language and Volvo’s language, allowing engine data and steering commands to flow between them. It funnels engine vitals (engine RPM, fuel flow, alarms, etc.) into your Raymarine network, and simultaneously passes autopilot steering instructions to the Volvo steering system. With the ECI-100, the autopilot can control your Volvo IPS pods or Aquamatic sterndrives as if it were a native Volvo component – achieving precise and reliable steering control.
• Volvo-Specific Cables: Raymarine includes the necessary cables to interface with the Volvo Penta system. You get a Volvo EVC link cable and a Volvo Y-loom cable in the package. These plug directly into Volvo’s EVC ports, making the installation virtually plug-and-play. There’s no cutting or splicing wires – the cables have connectors that fit the Volvo factory sockets, ensuring a clean and secure integration.
• Evolution Cabling Kit: Additionally, the box contains the standard Evolution cabling kit for the rest of the network – SeaTalkng spur cables, backbone cables, T-connectors, a power cable, terminators, and mounting brackets/screws for the various components. Essentially, all the little pieces you need to tie the system together are provided, so you don’t have to hunt down extra parts.

Once installed, this pack provides a fully functional, fully integrated autopilot for your Volvo drive-by-wire system. The EV-DBW is designed in collaboration with Volvo Penta engineers to ensure seamless operation with Volvo’s modern electronic steering. It directly communicates on the Volvo CAN-bus for steering control, which means it can command the IPS drive units or Aquamatic sterndrives as smoothly as Volvo’s own controls. There’s no external hydraulic pump or mechanical drive unit – the autopilot “talks” digitally to the boat’s steering, resulting in faster and more precise maneuvers.

Key Autopilot Features: Raymarine’s Evolution autopilots are renowned for their adaptive performance. The EV-DBW system uses Evolution AI to automatically adjust to your boat’s handling characteristics and sea conditions without needing any complicated user setup. As soon as you complete a simple dockside wizard and a short sea trial calibration (essentially driving in a few slow circles for compass calibration), the autopilot begins tuning itself. It learns your vessel’s response to waves, wind, and weight distribution and continuously refines its steering commands to optimize course keeping. This means that over time – often just minutes – the EV-DBW will hold course more tightly and with fewer corrections. It can predict how to counteract a rolling swell or gust of wind, rather than just reacting, resulting in a straighter track and less yaw (zig-zag). For you, the captain, this translates to confidence and convenience: you won’t need to fight the wheel or constantly tweak the settings to stay on course, the Evolution pilot does it for you. And because it’s so precise, you may even see improved fuel efficiency (a straight line is the shortest distance after all) and a smoother ride for everyone aboard.

On the p70Rs controller, you have multiple modes at your fingertips. You can let the autopilot hold the current heading (Auto mode) or command it to follow a route from your chartplotter (Track mode). It can also execute patterns like circles or zigzags for fishing, if needed. A standout is how effortlessly you can adjust course: twist the rotary knob to fine-tune or press it for instant 10° course changes – it’s very tactile and keeps you engaged with what the boat is doing. The display shows you vital info like set heading, current heading, rudder position (with Volvo drives, rudder feedback is via the EVC data, so no separate rudder sensor needed), and any navigation waypoints if you’re tracking a route. If you need to take control instantly, a single press of the standby button returns the steering to manual; similarly, grabbing the Volvo IPS joystick or wheel will disengage the pilot immediately as a safety override. The integration is designed so that manual input always has priority, ensuring safe operation.

Integration & Networking: The EV-DBW autopilot pack doesn’t operate in isolation – it’s built to mesh with your boat’s broader electronics. It ties into the SeaTalkng / NMEA2000 network, which means it can exchange data with Raymarine MFDs (Multifunction Displays), instruments, and even third-party NMEA2000 gear. For example, you can engage the autopilot and select “Track mode” on your Axiom chartplotter to have the pilot follow a plotted route, automatically steering through each waypoint turn with your confirmation. It also means you’ll see engine data (thanks to the ECI-100) on your Raymarine displays – things like engine RPM, temperatures, trim, etc., all in one place. On the Volvo side, the autopilot interfaces via the ECI and EV-2 directly with the Volvo EVC system. This tight integration is what sets the EV-DBW apart. There’s no lag or indecision – it’s as if your boat came from the factory with an autopilot. The result is precise steering that works in harmony with Volvo’s features like joystick driving or dynamic positioning (if equipped). You can use the autopilot for cruising, then seamlessly switch to joystick docking when you approach the marina – the transitions are designed to be smooth and intuitive.

Who is EV-DBW for?: This autopilot pack is ideal for any skipper of a Volvo Penta IPS or Aquamatic vessel who wants top-tier autopilot performance with minimal installation fuss. It could be a 45-foot sport cruiser with IPS drives or a 35-foot cuddy cabin with Aquamatic DuoProps – as long as you have Volvo’s electronic steering (EVC-E, EVC-C etc.), this pack will plug right in. If you’ve been hand-steering on long journeys, the EV-DBW will be a game changer: you can trust it to hold a steady heading or route, reducing fatigue and freeing you up to monitor other tasks or just enjoy the ride. It’s also great for sport fishing – maintain a trolling pattern, or hold against the wind in a drift. Importantly, because there’s no external hydraulic pump or linear drive, the installation is often quicker and cleaner than traditional autopilot retrofits. Many new Volvo-powered boats have “autopilot-ready” integration, meaning this pack can be added easily by your dealer or even self-installed with moderate DIY skills. After installation, ongoing maintenance is minimal – no pumps to bleed, no drive belts to adjust. The system either works or it gives a self-diagnostic alert (Raymarine provides status LED indicators and network diagnostics to troubleshoot, but such instances are rare).

In summary, the Raymarine EV-DBW Evolution Autopilot for Volvo IPS & Aquamatic (T70214) is a turn-key solution that brings together the best of Raymarine’s adaptive autopilot tech with Volvo’s advanced marine propulsion systems. It’s engineered to make steering effortless, improve safety (by reliably holding course in various conditions), and integrate seamlessly with both your navigation electronics and engine controls. Whether you’re cruising long distances or just wanting an extra hand at the helm, this pack delivers a proven, sophisticated autopilot experience that will likely become your favorite “crew member” on board.