[CMiles]

I am working on instruments on racing boat I crew on. We use GPSNavX on a MacBook and have Raymarine ST60 Instruments. We have an old Raymarine NMEA/Serial interface. Questions: Can I hook this up with Keyspan USB converter? Using GPS NavX with USB GPS antenna, will GPS NavX export data back to Raymarine instruments (for VMG etc).

[GPSNavX]

You need to find out if the Raymarine puts out and can receive NMEA data. If so it will work with a Keyspan adapter. Some Raymarine equipment only supports SeaTalk and not NMEA data.

[greyghost]

If you have Raymarine's PC/SeaTalk/NMEA
Interface Box, this will work with the Keyspan adapter.

[rirvine]

Guys: I have been through these hoops with RM. The RM box for Seatalk -->> NMEA -->> RS232 is a E85001. The problem with it is that it does not convert all the fields in a Seatalk sentence to the corresponding NMEA fields. If you search the web you will other boxes that convert Seatalk -->> NMEA -->> USB (even bluetooth). Many of these have both a Seatalk and one or more NMEA inputs which give you great connection flexibility. You can see a block diagram on my set up at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crews_nest/549486483/

Ray

[paulcu]

So if you want full functionality you need a multiplex and/or connect via NMEA? Anybody set up this way---pros/cons, how you'd do it differently or the same?

[jagasail]

I've had Raymarine ST60 instruments interfaced with my mac/gps/ais with a Miniplex multiplexer for 2 years now and it works very well. I bypassed the Keyspan approach by getting the bluetooth multiplexor so my Mac is connected wirelessly. Thus I can sit in my berth watching a movie on my Mac and still keep tabs on things. There's several previous discussions on this board on the Miniplex, including use with Raymarine.

Scot

[paulcu]

Scot,

Which multiplex did you buy? Are you connected via NMEA or SeaTalk? Also it sounds like the Bluetooth working well. I'm a bit hesitant to wireless because of 1) range and 2) hull blocking the signal. Could you let me know what your experience is on those two counts.

[ActiveCaptain]

I've had a Miniplex 41BT for 4 years and use it all the time to repeat Raymarine SeaTalk data. It can be wired directly into SeaTalk to provide heading, wind, depth, and all of the other data available on SeaTalk. It also has ports for adding additional NMEA devices (AIS, etc) and multiplexes it all together with SeaTalk and sends it out the Bluetooth port.

I put the multiplexer in the middle of the boat and find that I can easily connect anywhere inside the boat (I have a 53' boat). I'd estimate that it has a range of 30' minus 5 feet for every bulkhead the signal has to pass through.

[jagasail]

I have the Miniplex 42BT, wired essentially as ActiveCaptain does. The Miniplex takes in Seatalk and converts it to NMEA, which is then send out via BT. The MiniplexBT also has a serial output if you can't get the BT in the furthest corners of the boat, but I've never needed to try it. You'd also need a Keyspan for that, though they may have a BT version with USB now - not sure

My setup uses Raymarine for wind/depth/log, a Garmin GPS, SR161 AIS, Macbook with MacENC and GPSNavX. The Miniplex also outputs GPS data to my VHF. I have an older radar right now so that's not wired in.

Scot