Vesper Marine AIS

[NahanniV]

Originally Posted by jeffrobbins

Yes, this should work. The XB-8000 translates this to PGN 127250. So a few things to check... make sure your XB-8000 firmware is up-to-date as this support was added in an earlier update. Check that the radar uses this PGN. And finally check that the PGN output is enabled in vmAIS. The default is enabled but maybe that got switched off.

Jeff

Thanks for the quick reply.

I have the latest firmware 3.02.15857 & 5.18.15814
The PGN output is enabled 5ms (default).

I am also seeing: $AIHDG messages (1HZ) on the USB port; I think these are generated by the XB-8000 in response to PGNs received from my Seatalk->NMEA2000 converter; Would another heading source on the NMEA2000 bus stop the XB-8000 from generating heading PGNs ?

[jeffrobbins]

Sorry, just getting back to this. No, I don't think another heading source would prevent the XB-8000 from generating the PGN. But maybe you need to select the heading source on the radar perhaps? Does the radar have the ability to choose which source device you want to use? If so, does it list the XB-8000?

[NahanniV]

I have finally installed an external alarm and started using the Anchor Watch alarm on my XB8000.

It is a great tool. Nice to have anchor watch and AIS running with only minimal current drain.

Some observations:

1/ There is not a clear indication that the alarm is on. I guess the indication is that the "TO ANCHOR" information is filled in, but I did not realize this at first.

2/ When I turn on my IPAD to check on the anchor it takes a long time for the correct display to come up. First "No GPS Position" is displayed for a while, then sometimes "New Device...", then the boat is displayed without "breadcrumbs", then finally the correct display with "breadcrumbs". My XB8000 is configured as a WiFi access point.

3/ Pie Shaped anchor zones would be a nice addition. I can do what I want by fiddling with anchor position and distance, but I think a pie shaped zone to the real anchor position would be more intuitive.

4/ Depth alarm would be nice addition, if the depth is available.

[jeffrobbins]

Thanks for the good feedback. Much appreciated. With regards to a couple of the items:

1. There should be an anchor icon but it sounds like it's not obvious enough

2. Yeah, the iOS app can be a little laggy at times when it's loading up a lot of anchor breadcrumbs. They are designed to load up last and up to 24 hours worth are done in batches rather than waiting for all the data points to be retrieved so that's why you see the progressive display. We're not aware of any connectivity issues but this is an area of the app that we'd like to improve in the future anyway.

3. Good suggestion.

4. Depth alarm at anchor is also on our list. WatchMate Vision has this but the app doesn't at this stage.

Jeff

[NahanniV]

I have a few more suggestions regarding your anchor alarm APP:

Moving the anchor position:
It would be very helpful if the "To Anchor" information was recalculated while dragging the anchor to the new position.

Display:
Some nit-picking things that I think would make the display more intuitive:
See the Marked up screen-shot.
1/ Move the Anchor Safe Zone Distance display to under the Dividers where it is set, also add a text label and make it the same as in the menu for setting this value.
2/ Move the anchor Set/Weigh button to above the "To Anchor" Data. If possible change the color of the button: Grey-not set, Green-set Monitoring, Red-alarm.
3/ Move the depth away from the anchor data as it is not related, also in preparation for adding another button to set the depth alarm.

[CaptTom]

I just grabbed the latest XB-8000 firmware upgrade.

Is there a "what's new" list somewhere? Are there still plans to add more NMEA 2000 data types over WiFi? I have engine and depth data I'd love to be able to see on mobile devices.

[NahanniV]

You may already be thinking of this, but I will suggest it anyway:

Can you add autopilot control to your Deckwatch APP ?
I am quite certain that it is technically possible, but perhaps there are legal or licencing problems you would need to work around.

Here is an example of a control for a RayMarine autopilot over N2K:

https://github.com/sbender9/signalk-raymarine-autopilot

Almost every Raymarine Autopilot can be controlled in this manner (some older ones need N2K<->Seatalk conversion).
Your hardware could easily send the N2K PGNs to do this.
If you could pull it off it would be a big selling feature, I would probably buy a capable watch.

[summerlove]

how would I connect to raymarine E80 to get wifi to view on ipad

[transmitterdan]

E80 outputs an NMEA 0183 data stream. There are devices that convert NMEA0183 to Wi-Fi. They are often referred to as an NMEA to Wi-Fi gateway. Several brands and home brew versions are available.

[rom]

Hi there, I am using the XB8000 to retransmit instrument data over wifi. Used to work well when the XB8000 was connected to the network with nmea0183. I am installing new instruments (raymarine) and have now connected the XB8000 to the NMEA2000 network. Good. Except I do not see true wind and rudder angle information anymore. Any ideas ?

[hoolie]

If you open the "Configuration and Status" programme on your connected PC the NMEA2000 tab will show which data items can be selected for receiving and transmitting. Unfortunately it's a rather small sub-set of the items most people would like have … …

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by hoolie

...Unfortunately it's a rather small sub-set of the items most people would like have…

There was some talk here about Vesper working to add more NMEA sentences to the list.

It's been a couple of years now. Haven't heard any more about this.

It would be huge, for me, to be able to see engine data.

[NahanniV]

Here's another feature request/product improvement idea:

Add a solid state compass to your transponders.
only a few dollars of parts and a bit of software.
Output it like you do with the GPS.

Keep ahead of the competition.

[Cowpoos]

Another feature request is to up the output transmission power like some of the competitors have, so satellites can consistently receive transmissions.

[jeffrobbins]

Thanks guys. Keep those ideas and suggestions coming.... might not always seem like I'm listening, but I am