[cyberhusky]

Hi

I was at the Boot 2008 fair in Düsseldorf Germany last weekend.
At the ship supplier I saw the Raymarine "Ready to Go" package with C70 Chartplotter, AIS (including Multiplexer), GPS antenna and DSC radio.

Here are some infos (though in German) and pictures,

http://www.compass24.de/bootszubehoer/ab...TNR=158460#

I do have some questions,
is this package (GPS; AIS data) compatible with GPSNavX/MacENC ?

Is the price too high? 2699 Euro

How good are Raymarine systems? I only know them from chartered boats.

Thx for any answers.

Regards,

Manou

[GPSNavX]

While GPSNavX and MacENC work with any NMEA compatible instrumentation..

NMEA

Our preference is for Nexus NX2 instrumentation..

NX2

[nmijnssen]

What if you already happen to have the Raymarine hardware (2 displays and network) on board?
What about maps? Are Navionics maps compatible?

[GPSNavX]

MacENC is compatible with the Navionics Marine Charts (S-57 ENC) from ChartWorld

MacENC does not work with any maps

MacENC can interface to any NMEA data source. Typically one uses these two cables to interface a Mac with a Raymarine system ..

Keyspan USB to serial adapter
GPS Data Cable

If one wants to avoid dealing with cables then we recommend a USB GPS

[ReeferJon]

The Raymarine kit's pretty good, but they don't support the full NMEA sentence list, so things like transferring waypoints and routes won't work. I've been using Raymarine instruments on my last to boats, and both have worked fine with both MacENC and GPSNavX with the exception of the above.

[GPSNavX]

I am surprised to hear that Raymarine does not support the $GPWPL message for receiving waypoints. Even Garmin supports that in addition to their GARMIN transfer mode for waypoints, routes and tracks.

No news here, but Raymarine is not my choice for outfitting a sail boat.

[cyberhusky]

Here's an interesting thread about Raymarine and multiplexers and compatibility with NMEA!

http://forum.seilpartner.no/index.php?tid=9

Regards,

Manou

[nmijnssen]

MacENC does not work with any maps.
Thanks for the definition. I meant Navionics charts on CF cards. The chart I have (on CF card with USB card reader) does not appear in MacENC.

MacENC can interface to any NMEA data source. Typically one uses these two cables to interface a Mac with a Raymarine system ..

Keyspan USB to serial adapter
GPS Data Cable
Does this mean the Seatalk option is not available for Mac-Connection?

If one wants to avoid dealing with cables then we recommend a USB GPS.
I prefer to avoid additional clutter. Maybe some day the iPhone will take care of this?

[GPSNavX]

>> Does this mean the Seatalk option is not available for Mac-Connection? <<

If one must use Seatalk then you need the SeaTalk to NMEA converter

You then connect that to a Keyspan USB to serial adapter which plugs into your Macs USB port.

[nmijnssen]

Several sources offer a WLAN connection as an alternative to the NMEA to serial connection, some include a higher speed for AIS.
I wonder why this has not been discussed, seems to me an obvious choice it it works out well.
Any considerations or experiences?

[bobetter]

I would be interested in WLAN solutions to get NMEA and/or SeaTalk, etc into a Mac. Can you be more specific? Links? Manufacturers?

[nmijnssen]

One is the SeaMate from Mølgaard Netcom (an danish company)
<http://www.molgaard.dk/index.php?id=6&jump=1&action=marine>
The other one is the "Quickie" I read about on the "more WiFi" thread on MacSailing.net. It refers to
<http://www.quickertek.com/marine_menu.php>
I wouldn't wonder if there were more, as the WLAN interface is not very challenging to connect from Macs.

[bobetter]

One is the SeaMate from Mølgaard Netcom (an danish company)
<http://www.molgaard.dk/index.php?id=6&jump=1&action=marine>
The other one is the "Quickie" I read about on the "more WiFi" thread on MacSailing.net. It refers to
<http://www.quickertek.com/marine_menu.php>
I wouldn't wonder if there were more, as the WLAN interface is not very challenging to connect from Macs.

No Mac drivers for the SeaMate system and I don't think it's function is what you're looking for, but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. The Quickie rig isn't anything NMEA-specific.
I think the issue being discussed here is getting NMEA and/or Seatalk data into a Mac. Numerous methods have been described above. On my boat, I have a ShipModul Bluetooth multiplexer that will accept NMEA, SeaTalk and AIS from the boat and NMEA generated by MacENC for Autopilot function. In terms of utilizing a WLAN, I can then create a network with the Mac and broadcast the entire data stream (wirelessly, if desired) utilizing the TCP/IP capability of MacENC. In terms of the actual instrumentation branding, Raymarine stuff works just fine, if your needs are for stuff that has more versatility, Nexus and B&G both make equipment that is perhaps more accurate and more agile in terms of NMEA processing.

[cyberhusky]

One is the SeaMate from Mølgaard Netcom (an danish company)
<http://www.molgaard.dk/index.php?id=6&jump=1&action=marine>
The other one is the "Quickie" I read about on the "more WiFi" thread on MacSailing.net. It refers to
<http://www.quickertek.com/marine_menu.php>
I wouldn't wonder if there were more, as the WLAN interface is not very challenging to connect from Macs.

This sounds all great, but I still thinks data transfer (though NMEA data aren't MB of data) is still safer using wired cable instead of WiFi. What if WiFi data is erroneous due to antennas on the coast? (telecom, military etc)
Second WiFi empties the Macbooks (or any other laptop's) battery very fast.
Seamate looks great but I don't think it's compatible with Macs because of lack of drivers. And it's expensive, see the site's catalogue it begins at 7500 DKK and goes up to 11000 DKK (1000-1500 € or 1500 - 2300 USD).
That's a lot of money which can buy me a reliable multiplexer and a lot of cables/wires to setup a working system.

Just my 2 cents :-)

Regards,

Manou

[GPSNavX]

MacENC can accept NMEA data via serial port (i.e. USB, Bluetooth) or via IP.

MacENC can repeat NMEA data via serial port (i.e. USB, Bluetooth) or via IP.

Shipmodul sells a nice Bluetooth Mux that works great with the Mac.

[Noinesse]

Also have Raymarine instruments S70 on seatalk SG; however, it appears that the S3 smartpilot course computer has NMEA 0183 in & out connections. Is it possible to connect the instruments to the mac running GPSNavx through a Miniplex lite ? Any experience or expertise is most welcome !