In autopilot mode, the A in a circle, the GPS creates a series of waypoints in the direction you're headed. Then the boat will automatically go from waypoint to waypoint. The problem is a side wind will blow you off course between waypoints. Then the trolling motor will compensate and turn to cross the next waypoint. In advanced autopilot, the trolling motor stays pointed at a compass coordinate, no mater what the wind does. The cruise control feature only helps when going 1 mph or faster, in my opinion. You can set it for slower speeds but if you set it for .4 mph and the wind has your boat moving that fast, the trolling motor won't turn on.