Updating GPS,Plotter,Radar.

[KenH]

With limited funds but enough for a good set up. Which set up do you think is the best?
Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad ect..
I'm looking for an all in one, gps plotter, hook up to a radar and Depth.
Larger screen is better also.
Transducer if it has one will be installed on next pull out unless there is one that does not need it mounted on the bottom side.
This will be for coastal and blue water. So, I will have no cell coverage.
Another thing can some one help me out to understand the AIS system?
Is it a GPS system alone or just a way to see others with AIS?

Thanks for you help..
Ken

[akopac]

Wait til defender/west black friday

[tkeithlu]

Bring yourself up to speed with AIS here:

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Understa...SAAEgIImvD_BwE

n short, you want an AIS transmitter as well as receiver. The unit will predict closest point of contact (which may be a collision) as well as the details of the massive container ship bearing down on you, so you know who to call. To see what AIS does world wide, go here:

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...ry:35.2/zoom:4

Then. Garmin gets go reviews on the forum. But, let me challenge you on one point. Single monitor glass cockpit systems are very popular and spectacular to watch. They have a weakness. A single failure within the computer to monitor area leaves you with nothing. ZIP. Been there, in my case due to a complete 12v failure on separate instruments. Consider two options, first, keep a paper chart, updated every half hour, and maintain your paper and compass skills. Second, if you have the space consider separate instruments (radar, depth, chartplotter) so you are not as vulnerable to losing it all. I have over eight feet of panel, so I keep it all separate, which has the additional advantage of picking and choosing the instruments and replacing them one at a time. Some people have dificulty integrating those separate sources mentally; as it happens, I do not.

[KenH]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Bring yourself up to speed with AIS here:

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Understa...SAAEgIImvD_BwE

n short, you want an AIS transmitter as well as receiver. The unit will predict closest point of contact (which may be a collision) as well as the details of the massive container ship bearing down on you, so you know who to call. To see what AIS does world wide, go here:

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...ry:35.2/zoom:4

Then. Garmin gets go reviews on the forum. But, let me challenge you on one point. Single monitor glass cockpit systems are very popular and spectacular to watch. They have a weakness. A single failure within the computer to monitor area leaves you with nothing. ZIP. Been there, in my case due to a complete 12v failure on separate instruments. Consider two options, first, keep a paper chart, updated every half hour, and maintain your paper and compass skills. Second, if you have the space consider separate instruments (radar, depth, chartplotter) so you are not as vulnerable to losing it all. I have over eight feet of panel, so I keep it all separate, which has the additional advantage of picking and choosing the instruments and replacing them one at a time. Some people have dificulty integrating those separate sources mentally; as it happens, I do not.

Thanks, I will check it out on the AIS

[KenH]

Good point on having three different pieces.
Thts I I isually do things, I always have back up.

[tkeithlu]

If you want or need a glass cockpit, consider installing a used eBay GPS separate from the system. I use an old Garmin 162 as an electronic compass (steel boat) and read-out for current Lat/Long. It has a nav section that would get me into port if I needed it.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

If you want or need a glass cockpit, consider installing a used eBay GPS separate from the system. I use an old Garmin 162 as an electronic compass (steel boat) and read-out for current Lat/Long. It has a nav section that would get me into port if I needed it.

not needed really in this day and age, I mean on my boat with iphones, tablets and other stuff there usually multiple GNSS receivers on moat boats these days

[goboatingnow]

Second, if you have the space consider separate instruments (radar, depth, chartplotter)

all you need is two display MFDs if you are really worried, then one acts as a backup for the other, you dont need seperate displays for charts radar etc, you dont need feature redundancy you just need display device redundancy , equally the secondary device could be a tablet etc

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by KenH

With limited funds but enough for a good set up. Which set up do you think is the best?
Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad ect..
I'm looking for an all in one, gps plotter, hook up to a radar and Depth.
Larger screen is better also.
Transducer if it has one will be installed on next pull out unless there is one that does not need it mounted on the bottom side.
This will be for coastal and blue water. So, I will have no cell coverage.
Another thing can some one help me out to understand the AIS system?
Is it a GPS system alone or just a way to see others with AIS?

Thanks for you help..
Ken

Ive had extensive Garmin systems and Raymarine systems, and limited exposure to Furuno and very limited exposure to B&G

Amongst the big four there's very little to differentiate , its really a matter of personal preference, or more likely staying compatible with some existing on board systems

Like you Im a fan of integrated MFD style operations , I have one at the helm and a backup down below. I have several alternative GNSS on board and the ST60 Wind /depth/log while replicated onto the MFD are separate instruments

This stuff tends to last a long time , the ST60 is the age of the boat and still works ( and looks ) perfect

As others have said , get a transmit AIS unit , preferably one that integrates into whatever MFD( multi function display ) manufacturer you choose. In my opinion unless there is an overwhelming advantage stick to the same manufacturer for the main systems as this tends to be easier to make it all work together

[A la carte]

Not familiar with the big four brands so cannot comment. I upgraded my pulpit to a Garmin unit and find it works very well for me. Radar can overlay on the chart for my unit. Compatibility can be an issue so, check on that (especially with your autopilot).

[goboatingnow]

Another thing can some one help me out to understand the AIS system?
Is it a GPS system alone or just a way to see others with AIS?

AIS basically works by the other vessel sending you ( by VHF radio data communications ) its GPS position , speed and course as well as some identification details.

So you don't "see" it in the same way as say radar, its "tells" you.

equally if you have transmit AIS ( highly advised ) , you send your boats position , course and speed out over radio to be picked up by others, this information is derived from an internal GNSS ( GPS) receiver in the AIS unit

[KenH]

So, it is sparate from the regular GPS then?
An add on to gps through vhf?

[Bobby Lex]

Originally Posted by KenH

So, it is sparate from the regular GPS then?
An add on to gps through vhf?

Here's a link to a good article from West Marine on AIS:

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvis...-Seen-with-AIS

Bob

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by KenH

So, it is sparate from the regular GPS then?
An add on to gps through vhf?

Ais can be integrated into a vhf , but typically it’s a separate box with its own vhf data radio and an internal GNSS receiver

[Pizzazz]

My advice on limited funds:

Stage 1. VHF with AIS Receive, pretty much mandatory these days ($300).

Stage 2. An old Android phone with Navionics and AIS receive from above ($100).

Stage 3. Minimum marine functionality. A chartplotter from Raymarine/Garmin/etc., there is very little difference between the brands but Raymarine has many used units on eBay that still work well. Cost will be $500 + chart $200. Depth sensor $150. Use phone from Stage 2 for second display via wifi.

Stage 4. Autopilot plus gyro plus wind sensor. $2,000

Stage 5. Radar $2,000

Stage 6. Second display and more instruments.

After stage 6 you would notice that you still use the old phone for 90% of the planning and routing work and only go back to the chart plotters when the weather is bad. But in those cases there is no alternative to spending the money.