Final System Architecture Question

[Dockhead]

I've now brought back the last bits for my new electronics, and -- naturally -- there is a snafu.

I was counting on connecting the analogue (and very expensive) CS4500 ultrasonic speed transducer through a new DT800 "smart" depth transducer (all from Airmar). Well, it doesn't work. There is no connection on the DT800.

So I now have to figure out what to connect the speed transducer to in order to (a) get the speed data into my new N2K network; and (b) calibrate the bloody thing.

Sadly I sold my ST60 speed display, which would have done both jobs. Well, at least to the point of Seatalk data, but that is easily bridged to NMEA0183.

So now I see a couple of options:

1. Buy an Actisense Speed/Depth/Temp to NMEA0183 converter, connect the NMEA0183 port to one of my plotter NMEA0183 ports, and have done with it.

2. Buy a Raymarine ST60+ or i50 Tridata display, and let that do the bridging. ST60+ will bridge to Seatalk, and I will have a Seatalk converter anyway (for my redundant wind instruments). This display can be installed at the nav table, where a dedicated speed/depth display would be welcome. The only problem is I'm not quite sure how I would get depth data onto the ST60+. The i50 is N2K (SeatalkNG) so depth data would not be a problem there, I think.

What do you guys think? Maybe there's some other way to skin this cat, which I haven't thought of yet?