VHF units with AIS/GPS or dedicated AIS

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

I want to upgrade my boat with AIS and was planning to add Raymarine AIS unit to my chart plotter radar setup soon to be installed. But I saw a VHF with AIS functions and wondered if that would integrate well with my chart plotter and/or be a better way to go. My current VHF is adequate and has the distress calling option if connected to GPS (which I plan to do if I go dedicated AIS route) but not top shelf.

Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?


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[Hydra]

The first choice to make is between an AIS receiver and an AIS transmitter. With the first, you can see the transmitters around you. With the second, you can also be seen by the ships with a receiver, when they don't filter out class B transmitters.

I decided that I wanted to be seen but I haven't found a marine VHF with an AIS transmitter capability, so I just ordered a separate transmitter.

The second choice is between "black box" devices and those including a display. If you have a chartplotter, a black box is sufficient.

Alain

[phantomracer]

If you want a receiver, the Standard Horizon 2200 works quite well with my plotter.

[Stu Jackson]

If you do receive only, you also have to consider if you can see the screen on the VHF with AIS.

After listening for years about this issue, and originally thinking that receive only would be better, I have completely changed my mind. Think long and hard about it.

You boat, your choice.

[toddedger]

Raymarine has a brand new AIS /VHF shipping at the end of the month. It would integrate quite nicely with a new raymarine multi function display if you are only interested in receiving AIS.