[cjenkins]

The Lagoon factory is going to install basic Raymarine instruments (depth, speed, wind indicator, compass) and a Raymarine autopilot.

I want to use MacENC, via a mac mini and a Macbook, for navigation. It seems to me that I can use non-Raymarine GPS, radar, and AIS instruments and just have those all communicate with the macs, with no need for a SeaTlak/NMEA interface. Am I overlooking something? If I go with non-Raymarine equipment, what do those of you with experience with MacENC recommend? I want to purchase the hardware here in the U.S. and ship it over to France where I would have the commissioning company install it.

Charlie

[GPSNavX]

Why get locked into proprietary Raymarine hardware?

I much prefer Comnav NX2..

http://www.comnavmarine.com/html/cmnv_NX2_intro.htm

You can connect it right up with a Keyspan USB to serial adapter and use a BU-353 USB GPS. MacENC can repeat all the pertinent data back to the NX2. I found the Comnav NX2 to be much more reliable then the Raymarine autopilots.

email gpsnavx@mac.com if you have questions about this installation.

[cjenkins]

Lagoon only offers the Raymarine autopilot (and the basic instrument that go with it). So I'm not going to replace all of that. I really am looking for recommendations for the GPS (thank you), radar and AIS. Also, am I overlooking any important issues if I set the boat up with, basically, two independant systems, one for the autopilot and the other for the ENC.

Charlie

[GPSNavX]

For AIS I would go with an SR161..

http://www.milltechmarine.com/SR161.htm

Then if the Raymarine can output NMEA data you can connect that to your Mac via a Keyspan adapter or you can run the AIS and the Raymarine instruments into a multiplexer..

http://www.capjack.com/category/Marine-E...x-Lite.cfm

Many ways to configure. The advantage of running everything into a multiplexer is you only have one USB connection instead of three.

[J122]

I've choosen the ais from CRTX. This apart from being just a receiver also serves as a transponder, so apart from being able to see other ships they can see you as well. You will only need a second antenna as otherwise it will interfere with the VHF.

[cjenkins]

I'm pretty much locked into the Raymarine hardware (except for the AIS), so I have ordered the "PC/Seatalk interface". The product description states that the interface converts Seatalk data into NMEA 0183. That seems like it should work, but the description goes on to state that this will allow 'PCs running Ray Tech software to communicate with the Raymarine hardware.' Is there really an incompatibility problem, or is this just a plug for people to buy Raymarine software. In other words, should the conversion to NMEA 0183 be sufficient to allow me to connect to my Mac and use MacENC? (I'm guessing that they keep referring to "PCs" as a generic term for computers, not as a warning that you cannot connect to a Mac.)

I would like to run the output from the interface box and the output from the AIS into a multiplexer, then have one USB connection to the Mac. I haven't received the AIS unit yet, so I don't know if it has a USB or serial plug.

I'm asking all these questions in the blind because we are shipping this equipment to France for installation on the boat in September. I'm sure I will run into bugs then, but I'm trying to eliminate some now.

Does it sound like I'm running down the right path, or have I overlooked/misunderstood anything?

Thanks,

Charlie

[GPSNavX]

The setup you describe will work fine with the Multiplexer..

http://www.capjack.com/category/Marine-E...x-Lite.cfm

This will allow you to run GPS, Instruments and AIS all through one USB port and use MacENC or GPSNavX.

[cjenkins]

Checking the capjack site for the multiplexor, I saw what the describe as marine computer screens,

http://www.capjack.com/category/Marine-C...screen.cfm

The product description suggests that the screens are designed for in-car use. Any thoughts or experiences on how this screen would work as a cockpit screen on the boat? Is it appropriately weather resistant? Is there anything that can be done to make it serviceable at the helm?

If I could connect this screen to the Mac Mini, it would eliminate the need for a Raymarine brand screen at the helm.

Charlie

[cyberhusky]

I've used this 8" Touchscreen to replcate my iBooks MacENC screens at the helm.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?View...0105618628

Though this monitor wasn't waterproof it worked very well after I installed it under the sprayhood!
Visibility was great though I couldn't test it with direct sunlight.
Although the screen has only a 800x600 resolution it is enough to see were you are!

I did also test the same 8" screen but this one wasn't a touchscreen. But with 1024x768 pixels which had an even better display.
Unfortunately the powersupplyunit went bust the last day! (I used a 12V to 220V converter for my iBook and the TFT screen).

Regards

Manou