AIS receiver for Garmin 740

[gtwashio]

I would like to receive AIS data for my Garmin 740. I talked to Garmin support today and they recommend their VFH 210 radio, retail $629.00 an expense I would rather avoid.
Has anybody out there paired the Garmin 210 radio with a 740 Chartplotter? What was your experience?


Any suggestions on receiving AIS to my Garmin 740 would be welcome.

Thanks

Tom

[Be Free]

It looks like the Garmin VHF 210 can communicate with NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000. I have a 740s and it can also use both protocols. I've hooked up external intruments using both 0183 and 2000 to the 740s. I don't see any reason why you could not get them to talk.

[brazenarticle]

Check this out -
https://www.tindie.com/products/astu...ith-nmea-0183/
Plug in power, and antenna and the name wire to your Garmin and you are in business for less than $100.
If you are happy with your existing VHF radio there is no need to replace it. If your radio is old (no dsc) or about to be replaced anyway a new Standard Horizon 2200 is available for a bit more than $300 and will communicate with your Garmin 740 via NMEA 0183.

[gtwashio]

Thank you for the suggestions, sounds like a good idea,

Smooth sailing

T

[Glassdog]

I concur with brazen article. I am under the impression that my standard horizon 2200 will interface with my Garman 741XS through 0183. The set up is receive only but it is a two channel receiver and supposed to work seamlessly. I won’t know until I can get back to my boat in Oregon after the coronavirus crisis has settled down. I bought my 2200 over a year ago but only paid about 200 bucks with a rebate and it is a great radio by any measure. Good luck

[Sailor George]

I installed a digital yachts AIS100 with my Garmin gpsmap. Their tech support is great. They suggested to mount an inexpensive VHF antennae high on my back stay that gives me plenty of range. I did not want to go up the mast. More expensive then the other unit noted here but it has worked great for me. Good Luck.

[skipmac]

I installed a Vesper Marine AIS transponder at the chart table then connected it to my NMEA2000 network that linked it very seamlessly to my Garmin plotter in the cockpit.

I can control most of the functions of the AIS and get all the data on the Garmin and also use the Vesper directly below.

I HIGHLY recommend a transceiver if you're adding AIS. Not that much more and it is a much better option.