MacSailing.net

Can someone explain to me the practical difference between the Miniplex 41 and 42's? I really need one to tie my instruments together and into my Mac. I know the 42 has programing options (assuming someone writes a config utility) but is it worth the extra cost?

Also, how much additional power does the Bluetooth consume? My instruments (thus future miniplex) are at my nav station, which is right below the companionway - not where I really want my Mac with potential water coming in. Bluetooth would be very handy and less cumbersome than a long USB cable. The Miniplex would at least be protected behind a panel.

Thanks,
Scot

Good news. I have developed a MiniPlex 41/42 config utility for OS X. The significant difference the 42 offers is the NMEA sentence filtering. That is one can control which NMEA messages are sent on to the Mac and which are output to the connected autopilot. For most cases the 41 will do the job.

Please contact me directly at gpsnavx@mac.com with details of your GPS and instruments and autopilot configuration.

If one of the NMEA inputs is going to be an AIS receiver, then one must use the MiniPlex-lite..

http://www.shipmodul.com/en/miniplex-lite.html

Or a Keyspan Adapter can be used...

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa19hs/

As AIS NMEA data is at 38,400 rate.

Been thinking about this for a bit. Problem I have is my electronics are Raymarine so I need the Seatalk input into the Miniplex. Seems as of now you either have a choice of a Seatalk interface (41 or 41) OR a high speed NMEA (Miniplex-Lite), but not both. Only way for me to add AIS right now would be by the Keyspan, unless there's an AIS out there with Bluetooth. The latter would be might preference as I'm not excited about more wires draped around the cabin.

Scot