Describe Your Ultimate Integrated Instrument Setup

[s/v Jedi]

Looks to me like you are going Simrad, not N2K. I would advise you to put a standard cabling ("micro" variant) backbone in the boat that connects to an Airmar DST800, the Airmar PB200, the Actisense gateway, standard power feed, and some T's where you can expect extensions.

After that, pick your radar, plotter etc. and connect that to the N2K network. For furuno you just connect it with a standard N2K connector, for Simrad you use an adapter cable.

Now you can make changes what you want in the future without ripping out network cabling because they will all adapt to your standard cabling. You can get the cabling parts from Airmar too (or maretron).

I think I would get the Airmar N2K to USB converter which comes with that weathercaster software included if I'm right?...

I would install an AIS transponder in addition to the receiver in the VHF (Simrad has the AI50 which looks good!)

You also need a Simrad/Robertson auto pilot.

cheers,
Nick.

[ActisenseTech]

SimNet is N2K with different cable, different connectors and it allows daisy chaining which is "not done" with N2K. It is easily adapted to N2K however, using a replacement plug which can make the whole SimNet network an extension of the N2K backbone, or you can connect each individual SimNet device onto the N2K backbone as a separate node. I will probably go for the latter because I will be adding SimNet components and also using SimNet sensor data with other devices/displays around the network.

various vendors trying to lock you into their equipment while 'claiming' N2K compliant.

I said this in another thread but it is worth repeating:
Always check if a device is actually NMEA 2000 certified, the list is on the NMEA website: NMEA 2000 Certified product list
The first thing the NMEA says on that page is

:Only the NMEA 2000® certified products below have met all requirements and have full NMEA 2000® certification. Products that are marketed or labelled : "NMEA 2000 compliant" or
"works with NMEA 2000" are not NMEA 2000® certified and may not perform to the standards of NMEA 2000® certification.

In my mind, there isn't any PGN (N2K message) that can be sent towards the MFD that should cause it to reboot

You're right there are no PGN's that will reboot another device on the bus.

Actisense n2k to n0183 to laptop [lenovo t400 'high nit' with onboard gps] with rosepoint coastal explorer

The NGW-1 is the NMEA2000 to NMEA0183 converter. The NGT-1 is the NMEA2000 to PC gateway. Rose point currently have a beta version of Coastal Explorer that uses the NGT-1 to access the NMEA2000 bus giving more control than using the NGW-1. See the link after the next quote for the progress of compatibility.

Airmar WeatherCaster actually works thru the Actisense

I would like to let everyone know that Actisense cannot offer support for software not on the compatibility list for the NGT-1, such as Airmar's WeatherCaster software.

[dana-tenacity]

Describe Your Ultimate Integrated Instrument Setup!


A handheld GPS with a sextant in the cupboard. Cheap, reasonably reliable, easy to upgrade/replace, what more do you nedd?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by dana-tenacity

Describe Your Ultimate Integrated Instrument Setup!


A handheld GPS with a sextant in the cupboard. Cheap, reasonably reliable, easy to upgrade/replace, what more do you nedd?

Well, you'll need a bunch more than that, like a compass, accurate clock, charts, lead-line and tables or a grade in math as the bare minimum. I think you should re-think your setup.

But also, your setup isn't very integrated, isn't it? So it falls well outside the scope of this thread, which isn't about sextants being better etc.

ciao!
Nick.

[aquabelle]

I have NavNet 3d (MFD12) and I need a new heading sensor. I want it to output NMEA0183 directly to an autopilot that only takes 0183, and I want an N2K output directly to the NN3D. Furuno's PG500 is expensive relative to the Maretron SSC2000...any reason not to go with the SSC200? . I'm also trying to assess whether the PB200's heading sensor is good enough to enable ARPA/work well with the NN3D, as its extra functionality then makes it attractive. Anyone with views on this?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, aquabelle.

[aquabelle]

Originally Posted by aquabelle

I have NavNet 3d (MFD12) and I need a new heading sensor. I want it to output NMEA0183 directly to an autopilot that only takes 0183, and I want an N2K output directly to the NN3D. Furuno's PG500 is expensive relative to the Maretron SSC2000...any reason not to go with the SSC200? . I'm also trying to assess whether the PB200's heading sensor is good enough to enable ARPA/work well with the NN3D, as its extra functionality then makes it attractive. Anyone with views on this?

Installation is on a motor cruiser with hydraulic stablizers, not a sail boat.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by aquabelle

I have NavNet 3d (MFD12) and I need a new heading sensor. I want it to output NMEA0183 directly to an autopilot that only takes 0183, and I want an N2K output directly to the NN3D. Furuno's PG500 is expensive relative to the Maretron SSC2000...any reason not to go with the SSC200? . I'm also trying to assess whether the PB200's heading sensor is good enough to enable ARPA/work well with the NN3D, as its extra functionality then makes it attractive. Anyone with views on this?

The PB200 should work fine for ARPA connected to the NN3D via N2K. I have no experience with an autopilot that doesn't have it's own fluxgate compass.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by aquabelle

I have NavNet 3d (MFD12) and I need a new heading sensor. I want it to output NMEA0183 directly to an autopilot that only takes 0183, and I want an N2K output directly to the NN3D. Furuno's PG500 is expensive relative to the Maretron SSC2000...any reason not to go with the SSC200? . I'm also trying to assess whether the PB200's heading sensor is good enough to enable ARPA/work well with the NN3D, as its extra functionality then makes it attractive. Anyone with views on this?

I would opt for the Maretron SSC200. It will do what you want and even comes with a long NMEA0183 cable. The NMEA2000 connector on the unit is standard.

I think the PB200 is a little too much in one single unit. The combination of sensors also means there is no ideal position for it (not high enough for wind, too high for compass, GPS etc.)

ciao!
Nick.

[arisatx]

How about an Airmar H2183? It outputs 183 and N2K AFAIK.

[aquabelle]

The Airmar H2183 is about the same cost as the Maretron SSC 200, but ships without cables. A special combination cable and junction box need to be separately purchased to supply N2K & 0183 simultaneously...all a bit complicated compared to the SSC 200 which has separate N2k & 0183 ports.

[aquabelle]

What is the right trade-off between getting close to the vessel's COG vs avoiding magnetic fields? The Maretron SCC 200 & the Airmar H2183 both have sophisticated rate gyros, but their instruction manuals still urge locating close to the vessel's centre of gravity. In my stabilized motor cruiser, the closer I move to the c.o.g. the more ferrous metal I have to deal with. If I go to a locker under the flybridge helm, I'm further away from the c.o.g. but completely free of magnetic interference. I would have thought I'd be better doing the latter....what do others think?

[arisatx]

Originally Posted by aquabelle

The Airmar H2183 is about the same cost as the Maretron SSC 200, but ships without cables. A special combination cable and junction box need to be separately purchased to supply N2K & 0183 simultaneously...all a bit complicated compared to the SSC 200 which has separate N2k & 0183 ports.

For what it's worth:

Airmar H2183 Heading Sensor Accuracy - YouTube

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by aquabelle

What is the right trade-off between getting close to the vessel's COG vs avoiding magnetic fields? The Maretron SCC 200 & the Airmar H2183 both have sophisticated rate gyros, but their instruction manuals still urge locating close to the vessel's centre of gravity. In my stabilized motor cruiser, the closer I move to the c.o.g. the more ferrous metal I have to deal with. If I go to a locker under the flybridge helm, I'm further away from the c.o.g. but completely free of magnetic interference. I would have thought I'd be better doing the latter....what do others think?

I found the compromise to be around deck level for a fiberglass boat. After calibration, the compass will compensate for ferrous metals in close proximity. I would want a big margin for what the gyro can do and the normal dampening needed. In your case, think about how it will perform when you loose your stabilizers while underway in worsening weather conditions.

ciao!
Nick.

[boatman61]

H/H GPS > Tiller Pilot > Compass > Charts > Eyes > Brain...