September 24, 2009 00:08
NMEA 0183 is based on serial communications. It's successor NMEA 2000, is based on ethernet communication (with funny cables)
Connecting your handheld GPS to your laptop is an extremely simple implementation of NMEA 0183. Most yachts that I've been on rely on a dedicated NMEA 0183 network (running serial over a couple of copper wires) with different devices for GPS, Speed, Depth, Wind, AIS etc, all talking to each other.
Pretty much all modern and legacy GPS Displays & Chartplotters (where the unit has a dedicated display and can be used independently of a computer) and, importantly, other marine hardware support NMEA 0183 over serial.
If you're using a handheld GPS, then it may include a USB "gateway" you may be able to use on the Mac. However, if you're connecting your mac to the dedicated on-board systems of your boat then you'll need a "gateway" between serial NMEA 0183 and your computer. Options for this are:
I suppose you could say that comparing hand-held GPSs and integrated systems is a bit like trying comparing an ipod to a hi-fi separates system.
On High Spirit, I have a Raymarine ST60 network with GPS, Depth, Speed and Wind, a Tack Tick wireless Speed guage, a Nasa AIS receiver and a DSC VHF all talking to each other.. and to the Mac via a Serial to USB adapter.
Connecting your handheld GPS to your laptop is an extremely simple implementation of NMEA 0183. Most yachts that I've been on rely on a dedicated NMEA 0183 network (running serial over a couple of copper wires) with different devices for GPS, Speed, Depth, Wind, AIS etc, all talking to each other.
Pretty much all modern and legacy GPS Displays & Chartplotters (where the unit has a dedicated display and can be used independently of a computer) and, importantly, other marine hardware support NMEA 0183 over serial.
If you're using a handheld GPS, then it may include a USB "gateway" you may be able to use on the Mac. However, if you're connecting your mac to the dedicated on-board systems of your boat then you'll need a "gateway" between serial NMEA 0183 and your computer. Options for this are:
- [li]Serial to USB adapter (needs drivers)[/li][li]NMEA 0183 Multiplexer to Bluetooth / Wireless[/li][li]NMEA Multiplexer to USB (needs driver)[/li]
I suppose you could say that comparing hand-held GPSs and integrated systems is a bit like trying comparing an ipod to a hi-fi separates system.
On High Spirit, I have a Raymarine ST60 network with GPS, Depth, Speed and Wind, a Tack Tick wireless Speed guage, a Nasa AIS receiver and a DSC VHF all talking to each other.. and to the Mac via a Serial to USB adapter.
Never knowingly overcanvassed!