[Patrick]

Hi Everyone, Most of you most likely know this already, but Icom America has come out with a AIS receiver. Checked it out at the Vancouver Boat Show today. Looks very good, but pricey, $560 Can. I wished Icom had thought about a USB port capability however the VHF hook up saves time. Check it out at this site; http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/m...fault.aspx
Rich does this look good for GPSNavX and MacENC?

Patrick

[GPSNavX]

Yes very pricey when compared to others. No reason that Icom AIS receiver won't work with our navigation software as it adheres to the !AIDVM NMEA data specification. Like the SR161/162 a GPS receiver can be interfaced through the Icom unit eliminating the need for one more USB port on the Mac.

[donalphilby]

The Icom is too little too late.

Only a transceiver makes any real sense. It is easy to see visually or on radar the big boys, but with a transceiver the little yacht looks just like a big ship with all the warning signals (if any one is listening) going off. The ACR one looks good on the surface, and works easily with a chart plotter or PC, so they say. And less than CAD1000.

The real need, it seems to me, is offshore where ships don't always keep a good watch.

donal