AIS Question

[bottleinamessage]

I'd like to add AIS to my boat. Being able to display it on the RL80CRC at the helm would be ideal, but Raymarine says it can't be done. I'd rather not have a laptop in the cockpit and can't put one at the nav station while underway because of the proximity of the fluxgate compass.

One thing I am considering is the purchase of a small Garmin chartplotter to mount near the helm. Garmin says they will support and display AIS.

So, any ideas?

[Sandero]

The C series supports AIS. I believe that over time Ray upgrades its software and this may include improved AIS. I have a NASA with a RayC80 and it's not bad, but I expect some more improvements over time. Potential is there, but practically it's got a ways to go.

Instruments at the helm is a whole separate topic since most cruisers are not behind the helm when underway (autopilot on). But a cockpit display /chart plotter is handy and with AIS and radar you need not go below to get the electronic picture.

For CPA matters you probably don't need AIS except if you want to chat up a bridge and they won't be changing their course, so it's better just to go astern and steer clear or slow down etc. For out of visual range targets a cockpit display is less useful except in poor visibility and then you can see with your eyes what you can with your electronics. In those cases you want radar because not all ships which might be a hazard have AIS and they could have it off or misprogrammed. Radar won't lie since it's completely passive.

I suspect in four years or so a lot of AIS may be sorted out and increase in utility by orders of magnitude.

[Christian Van H]

How 'bout: http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=AIS_radar

[highseas]

Does anyone know if there is somewhere else to purchase a Brookhouse AIS-C multiplexer,or equivilent for my Raymarine C80.They won't take more orders at this time.Can I buy one in the U.S. somewhere?