Smart Pilot X-5 with NMEA 2000

[gpeacock]

Hi everyone
Ive got a Simrad IS20 Sail pack and Lowrance HDS-5 with Radar. Im considering adding the Raymarine SmartPilot X-5. Heres the problem:
The Autopilot computer will connect to NMEA2000 (SeatalkNG) but the control head (the ST6002) is only Seatalk. Is there a way for me to get fast heading data to my HDS-5 (for radar overlay) and get wind data to the control head?
I've called Raymarine support twice and received two different answers. (The best one being to buy the more expensive conrtol head)
Gary

[ChuckSK]

Hi Gary

The only Raymarine device that will bridge between Seatalk and NMEA2000 (SeatalkNG) is the ST70 instrument. The ST70 Autopilot control head will not bridge, but it will display both Seatalk and SeatalkNG data.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

[goboatingnow]

Or the new raymarine seatalk nmea 2K bridge ( see panbo.com)

Dave

[SailFastTri]

If Dave's advice doesn't work for you, Simrad makes an NMEA 0183 to Simnet converter which you can connect to the NMEA-out of the course computer to get fast heading data (if the course computer is a model that has the built-in rate gyro). Then connect the Simnet to NMEA 2000 using the Simnet to NMEA 2000 Adapter Cable, add the Lowrance NMEA 2000 Starter Kit, and that will make the connection to the HDS MFD and the radar overlay will work. Total outlay is about $250 for those materials.

Edit: Oops -- I re-read your post and see that the course computer already has NMEA 2000. In that case you should be golden. The Raymarine control head is not where the fast heading data comes from -- it comes from the course computer so you should be able to make the radar overlay work without anything more than the NMEA 2000 connection.

[bazzer]

I have a older raymarine AP core pack and a st 7001 and it all works on the seatalk interface including other data such as depth. I have E80. I get the heading data from a RM gyro pack. Works great