Following up with the Maretron USB100 impressions as they relate to OpenCPN integration, most of the issues previously identified in this thread have been resolved thru the use of TCP
network protocol input, GPSGate and the NMEA Converter
Plugin. For the relatively basic stuff, it is working fine and seems to be a very stable solution for bringing NMEA2k data into OC. Unfortunately, the USB100 has surprisingly limited functionality with the amount of PGN's it can translate to NMEA0183. I was attempting to get
AIS to
work this weekend and the USB100 doesn't support any
AIS functions AT ALL!!
From the Maretron USB100 Manual:
127488
Engine Parameters, Rapid Update
127489
Engine Parameters, Dynamic
129025 Position, Rapid Update
129026 COG & SOG, Rapid Update
129029 GNSS Position Data
129029 GNSS Position Data
129539 GNSS DOPs
129540 GNSS Sats in View
130310 Environmental Parameters
130311 Environmental Parameters
130576 Small Craft Status
As you can see, the list is actually quite limited. If you're running other Maretron
hardware (as I am) and need access to setup information thru the USB100 interface, than you'll need this device regardless. If on the other hand you do not run any additional Maretron
hardware, I would avoid using the USB100 as your NMEA2k to PC interface. I have ordered a Yacht Devices
WiFi Gateway to supplement the USB100 functionality while also adding the ability to pick up the NMEA2k data remotely on a tablet. The YD hardware has a far more extensive list of supported PGN's so I'm excited to see how it all ties together. As an added bonus, YD has a browser-based configurable dashboard to supplement the information available directly thru OC.
I'll report on any issues getting the Yacht Devices YDWG-02 gateway implemented in this growing system I've got here...
AA