Airmar PB200 WeatherStation

Extemporaneous · 10-10-2009, 08:35

I was looking for a weather station and came across this.
It has a lot more which is a great bonus (pay for it though).
My question is mostly regarding the weather station features.
Has anyone used one of these and what what do they think of the weather station features, its accuracy and its feature set (is it missing anything?)? I don't know of a similar system but if you do, let me know that also.
Any insights would be appreciated.
Of course I like most are concerned with money but this is not my main concern in this case (but if someone know where to get it cheapest ...).
Share if you can.

Thanks,
Extemp.

Ziggy · 10-10-2009, 09:39

Maretron makes a similar product (Maretron WSO100, Maretron : Marine Electronic Instruments). There have been a few reviews of both the Airmar and Maretron sensors, and, I thought, they both fared pretty well for a new product. It's not clear whether the accuracy would be sufficient for serious racing, though.

See article in September 2009 Cruising World

I would seriously consider either the Maretron or Airmar if I were in the market now.

Roy M · 10-10-2009, 10:27

See: Panbo: The Marine Electronics Weblog: Airmar PB200 hands-on #1, & into the delivery box!

Extemporaneous · 10-10-2009, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy M

See: Panbo: The Marine Electronics Weblog: Airmar PB200 hands-on #1, & into the delivery box!

I have read through all of the Panbo stuff, but there is very little about the weather station aspect of it, mostly focusing on its other features, which seam quite impressive all on their own. As a matter of fact, I'm sold on the additional features, but the fact is I was looking for a weather station when I came across the PB200.
So, I guess the question is, am I sacrificing weather station features, reliablity or accuracy by buying the PB200 for use cruising and off shore?

Anyone?

Thanks,
Extemp.

sandy daugherty · 10-10-2009, 15:30

I have one. I use it for navigation, but it seems to me that all the essentials for a weather station are there. except a rain gage. The unit is if anything too damn accurate. I have a catamaran sailboat, which has a sharper motion than a keel boat, and the sensor dutifully records all the little wiggles that mast makes! Since its solid state, no moving parts, I suspect it will hold up for a long time.

But if you are just interested in a weather station, there are a few much cheaper alternatives.

p.s. I display the data at the helm on a Garmin GMI 10. Sweet.

Extemporaneous · 31-10-2009, 21:36

Hadn't noticed this before.
Kind of a cool feature.
Haven't seen any called a "Sailboat version" either.

Wonder if this model/version actually hit the market?

Sandy, did yours come with an led and windex?

Regards,
Extemp.

s/v Jedi · 01-11-2009, 06:23

I researched this and decided to buy the Maretron WSO100 for the masthead and the combined GPS/heading sensor for deck level. Both GPS and heading sensor are better off at deck level instead of the mast head.

cheers,
Nick.

Extemporaneous · 01-11-2009, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I researched this and decided to buy the Maretron WSO100 for the masthead and the combined GPS/heading sensor for deck level. Both GPS and heading sensor are better off at deck level instead of the mast head.

cheers,
Nick.

I agree with placement.
I'll have to give it some thought. It's only NEMA 2000 and no NEMA 0183.
The Airmar does both.

Thanks,
Extemp.

s/v Jedi · 01-11-2009, 19:46

Extemp,

Yes, this means we are taking the step to N2K: it's time to do that, all the decent equipment supports it now and the compatibility issues have been worked out. A cheap converter from Simrad (the AT10) will sit between the two while we slowly migrate to the new network. One new cable but countless NMEA0183 cables will be pulled out.

Are you really gonna pull a NMEA0183 cable to the masthead? Program/calibrate the instrument through that?

Have a look at Maretron's N2KBuilder program. It's free and worthy to spend some time on. It opens eyes ;-)

cheers,
Nick.

Extemporaneous · 01-11-2009, 20:28

Dammit!

31-10-2009, 21:36	#6
Extemporaneous Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Boat: Corbin 39 Special Edition Posts: 493	Airmar PB200 Weather Station Hadn't noticed this before. Kind of a cool feature. Haven't seen any called a "Sailboat version" either. Wonder if this model/version actually hit the market? Sandy, did yours come with an led and windex? Regards, Extemp. Attached Thumbnails

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10-10-2009, 08:35	#1
Extemporaneous Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Boat: Corbin 39 Special Edition Posts: 493	Airmar PB200 WeatherStation I was looking for a weather station and came across this. It has a lot more which is a great bonus (pay for it though). My question is mostly regarding the weather station features. Has anyone used one of these and what what do they think of the weather station features, its accuracy and its feature set (is it missing anything?)? I don't know of a similar system but if you do, let me know that also. Any insights would be appreciated. Of course I like most are concerned with money but this is not my main concern in this case (but if someone know where to get it cheapest ...). Share if you can. Thanks, Extemp.

10-10-2009, 09:39	#2
Ziggy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: U.S., Northeast Boat: Contessa 32 Posts: 175	Maretron makes a similar product (Maretron WSO100, Maretron : Marine Electronic Instruments). There have been a few reviews of both the Airmar and Maretron sensors, and, I thought, they both fared pretty well for a new product. It's not clear whether the accuracy would be sufficient for serious racing, though. See article in September 2009 Cruising World I would seriously consider either the Maretron or Airmar if I were in the market now.

10-10-2009, 10:27	#3
Roy M Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA Boat: Searunner 40 trimaran, WILDERNESS Posts: 708	See: Panbo: The Marine Electronics Weblog: Airmar PB200 hands-on #1, & into the delivery box!

10-10-2009, 15:30	#5
sandy daugherty Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: near Annapolis Boat: PDQ 36 "Page 83" Posts: 770	I have one. I use it for navigation, but it seems to me that all the essentials for a weather station are there. except a rain gage. The unit is if anything too damn accurate. I have a catamaran sailboat, which has a sharper motion than a keel boat, and the sensor dutifully records all the little wiggles that mast makes! Since its solid state, no moving parts, I suspect it will hold up for a long time. But if you are just interested in a weather station, there are a few much cheaper alternatives. p.s. I display the data at the helm on a Garmin GMI 10. Sweet.

01-11-2009, 06:23	#7
s/v Jedi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Boat: Sundeer 64 - Jedi Posts: 1,519	I researched this and decided to buy the Maretron WSO100 for the masthead and the combined GPS/heading sensor for deck level. Both GPS and heading sensor are better off at deck level instead of the mast head. cheers, Nick.

01-11-2009, 19:46	#9
s/v Jedi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Boat: Sundeer 64 - Jedi Posts: 1,519	Extemp, Yes, this means we are taking the step to N2K: it's time to do that, all the decent equipment supports it now and the compatibility issues have been worked out. A cheap converter from Simrad (the AT10) will sit between the two while we slowly migrate to the new network. One new cable but countless NMEA0183 cables will be pulled out. Are you really gonna pull a NMEA0183 cable to the masthead? Program/calibrate the instrument through that? Have a look at Maretron's N2KBuilder program. It's free and worthy to spend some time on. It opens eyes ;-) cheers, Nick.

01-11-2009, 20:28	#10
Extemporaneous Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Boat: Corbin 39 Special Edition Posts: 493	Dammit!