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21-05-2018, 06:00
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bogue Sound NC
Boat: 1987 Cape Dory MKII 30 Hull #3,
Posts: 1,345
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AIS different brands any good??
Checking AIS transponders with screen besides the most known Icom and Vespers ran into these two products in Amazon,prices are competitive and like if there members who have experience with these two manufactures
Matsutec
ONWA
thank you
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21-05-2018, 13:51
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northport, Michigan
Boat: Trailerable cruising boat
Posts: 621
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by davil
...ran into these two [AIS] products in Amazon...
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Are you in the USA?
Boaters in the USA need to have an AIS transmitter approved by the USCG and FCC. I doubts either of the two brands you mention are USCG and FCC approved for sale in the USA and approved for use on USA boats.
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21-05-2018, 15:14
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bogue Sound NC
Boat: 1987 Cape Dory MKII 30 Hull #3,
Posts: 1,345
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
well,yes am in USA and those two brands sell in Amazon?
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21-05-2018, 17:50
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southern Maine
Boat: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Posts: 3,080
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
iCom and Vesper are very well-respected companies and they make good stuff. Vesper in particular is legendary for both value in the product, and great support. Not to mention the frequent firmware updates - no "legacy - out of support" issues with them!
This just doesn't seem like an area where you want to "go cheap."
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21-05-2018, 17:54
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Port Aransas, Texas
Boat: 2019 Seawind 1160 Lite
Posts: 2,126
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom
iCom and Vesper are very well-respected companies and they make good stuff. Vesper in particular is legendary for both value in the product, and great support. Not to mention the frequent firmware updates - no "legacy - out of support" issues with them!
This just doesn't seem like an area where you want to "go cheap."
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Vesper. Don't waste time on anything else.
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21-05-2018, 17:57
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bogue Sound NC
Boat: 1987 Cape Dory MKII 30 Hull #3,
Posts: 1,345
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom
iCom and Vesper are very well-respected companies and they make good stuff. Vesper in particular is legendary for both value in the product, and great support. Not to mention the frequent firmware updates - no "legacy - out of support" issues with them!
This just doesn't seem like an area where you want to "go cheap."
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Agree wholeheartedly,was curious only.
thank you very much
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21-05-2018, 18:48
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,007
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by continuouswave
Are you in the USA?
Boaters in the USA need to have an AIS transmitter approved by the USCG and FCC. I doubts either of the two brands you mention are USCG and FCC approved for sale in the USA and approved for use on USA boats.
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I don't know what USCG approval is needed, but EVERY radio needs FCC approval.
The KEY difference in the USA is that it is illegal to program the AIS yourself with the information about the boat, it must be done by the seller of the device. I used to think this was regulatory over-reach, but I have seen too many people who transmitted information that was wrong, and confusing because they couldn't handle the process.
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22-05-2018, 06:59
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northport, Michigan
Boat: Trailerable cruising boat
Posts: 621
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
[QUOTE=billknny;2636678]I don't know what USCG approval is needed..../QUOTE]
The process of approval for AIS transmitters in the USA requires the USCG must first approve their operation, then the FCC approves their transmitters.
To learn more about the approval process, see
AIS Class B Transponders: Recent USCG Approvals
AIS Class B Transponders: Recent USCG Approvals - CONTINUOUSWAVE
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22-05-2018, 07:06
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northport, Michigan
Boat: Trailerable cruising boat
Posts: 621
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by davil
well,yes am in USA and those two brands sell in Amazon?
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I wouldn't take the ability to buy something from an on-line seller as evidence of certification by the FCC and USCG. I recently saw a documentary in which the highly controlled drug Fentanyl could be ordered on-line from China for delivery in the USA. I wouldn't be surprised you could buy an AIS transponder, too.
All radio devices to be sold in the USA need an FCCID number. Ask for the FCCID number of the device you plan to purchase.
Approved AIS transponders are listed by the USCG. For some guidance see
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiz...on/navigation/
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22-05-2018, 07:49
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 953
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by billknny
I don't know what USCG approval is needed, but EVERY radio needs FCC approval.
The KEY difference in the USA is that it is illegal to program the AIS yourself with the information about the boat, it must be done by the seller of the device. I used to think this was regulatory over-reach, but I have seen too many people who transmitted information that was wrong, and confusing because they couldn't handle the process.
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The boat's MMSI number is programmed by the seller. With Vesper, I can change the boat information and location of the antennas through using vmAIS,
Don
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22-05-2018, 07:55
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northport, Michigan
Boat: Trailerable cruising boat
Posts: 621
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by billknny
I don't know what USCG approval is needed....
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The process of approval for AIS transmitters in the USA requires the USCG must first approve their operation, then the FCC approves their transmitters.
To learn more about the approval process, see
AIS Class B Transponders: Recent USCG Approvals
AIS Class B Transponders: Recent USCG Approvals - CONTINUOUSWAVE[/QUOTE]
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22-05-2018, 07:59
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 953
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
I used both McMurdo and Vesper AIS transponders. If you compare features, the Vesper is hands down a better unit. The XB-8000 (which I installed) multiplexes the boat NMEA data and broadcasts via wifi; the McMurdo broadcasts GPS and AIS, but doesn't multiplex other boat data. The McMurdo is rebadged Camino unit. The Vesper unit is actively supported and their customer support is very helpful.
Using both, the Vesper XB-8000 seems like a better unit and fits my needs perfectly. In addition to a solid AIS transponder, the wifi acts as a central data hub and makes boat NMEA data (GPS, depth, speed, wind...) and AIS targets available via wifi for my laptop and tablet. I'm very happy with the Vesper XB-8000.
Don
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22-05-2018, 08:41
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Poole, Dorset, UK
Boat: Westerly Storm 33
Posts: 148
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
I have a Matsutec HP-33A. I've only recently got it up and running, so am getting to know it. I don't know if it's certified for use in the USA. What I do know is that:
a) It was about half the price of the Vesper Marine and
b) The HP-33 is not just an AIS B. It also has a good GPS unit in it with a wide range of functions and screens.
If you want functionality then the HP-33A is well worth a look.
__________________
"Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read" (Marx G. 1890-1977)
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22-05-2018, 08:48
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Meandering about the Gulf of Alaska coast [NNE Pacific]— where the internet doesn't always shine... [Even Elon's...] Homeport: Wrangell Island
Boat: Nauticat 43 [S&S Staysail Ketch]
Posts: 1,662
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by davil
Checking AIS transponders with screen besides the most known Icom and Vespers ran into these two products in Amazon,prices are competitive and like if there members who have experience with these two manufactures
Matsutec
ONWA
thank you
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Davil,
I can't help with the brands you asked about.
As a Vesper Watchmate veteran [850 and Vision]- and since you asked about AIS transceivers with screens- be advised Vesper recently released their 2nd generation Watchmate Vision model; Vision2. [Vision is their color touchscreen model. The Vision2 is the latest model with a better, capacitive, touchscreen- in addition to other improvements.]
I mention this in case you decide to go with a Vesper Vision- be sure to get the newest model [Vision2] as the retail price is the same as the original model.
And speaking of support, as an original Vision owner they offered to upgrade [i.e., not replace] my unit for a reasonably discounted price [regardless of warranty status; less than 50%...]
In case this is helpful.
Cheers! Bill
__________________
SV Denali Rose
Learning every day- and sharing if I can.
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22-05-2018, 08:54
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Re: AIS different brands any good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt.Don
The boat's MMSI number is programmed by the seller. With Vesper, I can change the boat information and location of the antennas through using vmAIS,
Don
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I just did this a few days ago on my Vesper XB-8000. The only wobble was I needed to download USB drivers. Of course, in Canada, the boat owner inputs the federally issued MMSI, not the seller, a point I had to make clear to the U.S. vendor of my Vesper unit.
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