Which AIS Unit? - Page 2

donradcliffe · 06-11-2009, 09:58

For $1000 I bought both the West Marine 1000 and the Vesper Watchmate-- gives you a display and a good alarm system.

Yet to be installed on the boat, as I am in Calif and the boat is in Trinidad, but I plan to play with it here soon. I installed a separate pulpit antenna on the boat for use with my old AIS receiver and as a backup if I lose the mast. There was some discussion on the SSCA bulletin board about being able to tee in my existing Garmin external GPS antenna with the West Marine AIS, which would make the installation a snap.

sandy daugherty · 06-11-2009, 10:49

I have the ACR AIS-B, which comes with a gps and vhf antenna. I installed the VHF antenna on my port transom about 14 feet above the water, and routinely see shipe 20+ miles away. The software runs on my PC, and the data reaches both of my plotters very well.

I suspect if you bought every AIS B on the market today, 90% have identical boards, so they are functionally equal. The differences are strictly according to what else comes with it, and a little premium for name brand recognition. If you intend to share a VHF antenna, or bring in GPS from another source, you can save a couple bucks, but pay the difference in aggravation unless you have a lot of experience integrating electronics. I do, but I druthernot.

ecsjr · 12-11-2009, 21:31

I also am running the Comar unit, no complaints but I will receive only. I'm to slow to be transmitting what I am and direction and speed to a bunch of yahoo's that might be up to no good. I have flir and radar to find them

Minggat · 13-11-2009, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecsjr

I'm to slow to be transmitting what I am and direction and speed to a bunch of yahoo's that might be up to no good. I have flir and radar to find them

Are there units that allow you to turn off the transmit?

fastcat435 · 13-11-2009, 02:36

The easy TRX can be switched off for transmitting in case of pirate infested territory.
We have been using these units on a few of our cats and they work fine and the service of the producer is outstanding. My 2 cent worth
Gideon

SettingSail2009 · 13-11-2009, 07:19

Thank you everyone for your help and input.

I've decided to go with the Comar CSB 200 Class B AIS Transponder after talking to Mike Wyatt at Milltechmarine. Mike has been a real help and his prices are good, so if anyone is looking for an AIS, I recommend getting in touch with him.

The only thing I now need to get is an MMSI number, because you can't purchase a transponder without it.

idpnd · 18-11-2009, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by SettingSail2009

Thank you everyone for your help and input.

I've decided to go with the Comar CSB 200 Class B AIS Transponder after talking to Mike Wyatt at Milltechmarine. Mike has been a real help and his prices are good, so if anyone is looking for an AIS, I recommend getting in touch with him.

The only thing I now need to get is an MMSI number, because you can't purchase a transponder without it.

The MMSI is issued by the country your boat is flagged in if that makes any sense. What are the supposed advantages of the Comar over the more affordable models? Would you care to elaborate? Thanks

jdoe71 · 18-11-2009, 13:15

What about this unit?

| Cactus Marine (US) : Nasa AIS Black Box Receiver (Nasa 010.185) |

Does anyone have any experience with it, especially connecting it into a chartplotter? From what I read it is very popular in Europe and the price sure is right.

NDH · 20-11-2009, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoe71

What about this unit?

| Cactus Marine (US) : Nasa AIS Black Box Receiver (Nasa 010.185) |

Does anyone have any experience with it, especially connecting it into a chartplotter? From what I read it is very popular in Europe and the price sure is right.

Had it connected to a laptop, worked OK, no problems. Have recently gone over to an AIS transponder, Marine Electronic Service Ltd - AIS - AIT250 AIS TRANSPONDER SYS (CLASS B) At least we show up now, providing of course the other vessel is equipped and looking

idpnd · 20-11-2009, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDH

Had it connected to a laptop, worked OK, no problems. Have recently gone over to an AIS transponder, Marine Electronic Service Ltd - AIS - AIT250 AIS TRANSPONDER SYS (CLASS B) At least we show up now, providing of course the other vessel is equipped and looking

I was considering that unit, they do have some very reasonable prices at that shop.. By EU standards, anyway

Albro359 · 20-11-2009, 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoe71

What about this unit?

| Cactus Marine (US) : Nasa AIS Black Box Receiver (Nasa 010.185) |

Does anyone have any experience with it, especially connecting it into a chartplotter? From what I read it is very popular in Europe and the price sure is right.

Yup I have a NASA box connected to a Northstar plotter...separate VHF aerial ...works a treat...easy to use...clear and info about vessels...speed, course,,, couldn't be better

AND it was the cheapest option on the market

Cheers

Alan

barnakiel · 20-11-2009, 18:02

There are two different black boxes from NASA - the older type and the newer one.

I think the newer black box is actually white. Something like they 'added' the second channel or paralleled it or something. Some price, white color, better specs.

NASA website.

b.

13-11-2009, 07:19	#6
SettingSail2009 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Aruba Boat: FastCat 435 Posts: 222	Thank you everyone for your help and input. I've decided to go with the Comar CSB 200 Class B AIS Transponder after talking to Mike Wyatt at Milltechmarine. Mike has been a real help and his prices are good, so if anyone is looking for an AIS, I recommend getting in touch with him. The only thing I now need to get is an MMSI number, because you can't purchase a transponder without it. __________________ - Andreas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Man cannot discover new Oceans, unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore." - Andre Gide My website My blog

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06-11-2009, 09:58	#1
donradcliffe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Cruz for summer Boat: Beneteau First 456 Posts: 648	For $1000 I bought both the West Marine 1000 and the Vesper Watchmate-- gives you a display and a good alarm system. Yet to be installed on the boat, as I am in Calif and the boat is in Trinidad, but I plan to play with it here soon. I installed a separate pulpit antenna on the boat for use with my old AIS receiver and as a backup if I lose the mast. There was some discussion on the SSCA bulletin board about being able to tee in my existing Garmin external GPS antenna with the West Marine AIS, which would make the installation a snap.

06-11-2009, 10:49	#2
sandy daugherty Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: near Annapolis Boat: PDQ 36 "Page 83" Posts: 770	I have the ACR AIS-B, which comes with a gps and vhf antenna. I installed the VHF antenna on my port transom about 14 feet above the water, and routinely see shipe 20+ miles away. The software runs on my PC, and the data reaches both of my plotters very well. I suspect if you bought every AIS B on the market today, 90% have identical boards, so they are functionally equal. The differences are strictly according to what else comes with it, and a little premium for name brand recognition. If you intend to share a VHF antenna, or bring in GPS from another source, you can save a couple bucks, but pay the difference in aggravation unless you have a lot of experience integrating electronics. I do, but I druthernot.

12-11-2009, 21:31	#3
ecsjr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6	I also am running the Comar unit, no complaints but I will receive only. I'm to slow to be transmitting what I am and direction and speed to a bunch of yahoo's that might be up to no good. I have flir and radar to find them

13-11-2009, 02:36	#5
fastcat435 Commercial Vendor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Amstelveen Netherlands Boat: FastCat 445 Green Motion Posts: 1,363	The easy TRX can be switched off for transmitting in case of pirate infested territory. We have been using these units on a few of our cats and they work fine and the service of the producer is outstanding. My 2 cent worth Gideon

18-11-2009, 13:15	#8
jdoe71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 402	What about this unit? \| Cactus Marine (US) : Nasa AIS Black Box Receiver (Nasa 010.185) \| Does anyone have any experience with it, especially connecting it into a chartplotter? From what I read it is very popular in Europe and the price sure is right.

20-11-2009, 18:02	#12
barnakiel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea Boat: a sailing boat Posts: 919	There are two different black boxes from NASA - the older type and the newer one. I think the newer black box is actually white. Something like they 'added' the second channel or paralleled it or something. Some price, white color, better specs. NASA website. b.