AIS - Need to Take it with a Grain of Salt

[conachair]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I'll take a sharp lookout over AIS any day of the week.

better still both.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by maxingout

I don't have AIS on board Exit Only, and I doubt if I will ever get it. I trust my eyeballs and my radar, but especially I trust my eyeballs.

I have on of these http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=AIS_radar
Very low power, almost instant view of relative headings, works down to 10.5v.
And i wouldn't be without it. It's down below so doesn't get stared at (with you on digital overload, more numbers to look at, less you live in the real world). If there's traffic around I'll pop below and check their speed and heading, twice now I've seen survey vessils miles away & known to keep well clear.

All in all a very useful source of info at a low price, probably second to gps as most used bit of technology. Radar draws too much power and requires too much attention to get some idea of relative headings. Just having one doesn't mean not looking around, quite often offshore the ais alarm will go off seconds after spotting a ship on the horizon, also many times offshore I've watched a ship alter course by 10deg to miss me then go back on course.

I really can't see an argument for not fitting a cheap reciever.