Matsutec HP-33A AIS Transponder

[Bi111ion]

Hi all, now you have had this unit for a little while and I assume that it is being used, does it do what you all expected and have there been any problems, I ask as I'm contemplating getting one.
Any//all comments will be appreciated.
Jon

Great unit very pleased. Better receiver than my Standard Horizon by far. Nice clear display under all lighting conditions. Fast accurate GPS.

 

[Alpha22]

Colour GPS is nice... haven't used the AIS in anger yet..... next month.... hopefully.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Works a treat and surprised how many functions it has. I dislike the fact it doesn't save my CPA alarm preferences. I found I used the 'plotter' screen as it's called more and more for following tracks through known hazards like river bars. The transponder works a treat and I now add my signal to the clutter out there, the transmit off function is buried in the menus and to be honest like 90% of people I can't be bothered. The receive screen is uncluttered though it took me ages to work out how to change from north up to heading up.

In an ideal world I'd have AIS overlay on a large screen plotter/RADAR but that would mean changing my RADAR and most of my Raymarine instruments, and I'd still need an AIS receiver. A nice piece of kit and until I miraculously find £3,000 this does very nicely.

 

[paddywackcocker]

I Have installed one of these lead by comments on here, am very pleased with it.
Also thanks to all for sharing the info about the wireing and stuff.
I've only got the aerial on a rail mount, (all seems ok) would I benefit much from adding a splitter into the mast mounted aerial.
I know I would acheave greater distance on contacts but not sure if those distances are needed.

 

[Storyline]

I Have installed one of these lead by comments on here, am very pleased with it.
Also thanks to all for sharing the info about the wireing and stuff.
I've only got the aerial on a rail mount, (all seems ok) would I benefit much from adding a splitter into the mast mounted aerial.
I know I would acheave greater distance on contacts but not sure if those distances are needed.

How far away are the most distant targets ?

 

[nigelmercier]

I've only got the aerial on a rail mount, (all seems ok) would I benefit much from adding a splitter into the mast mounted aerial...

I intend to use a rail mount, which will double as an emergency VHF antenna. Splitters are the spawn of the devil.

 

[paddywackcocker]

Had one at 12 miles and I think that will probably do.
Good point about the advantage of a secondary back up use of the rail mount option.

 

[Storyline]

Works a treat and surprised how many functions it has. I dislike the fact it doesn't save my CPA alarm preferences. I found I used the 'plotter' screen as it's called more and more for following tracks through known hazards like river bars. The transponder works a treat and I now add my signal to the clutter out there, the transmit off function is buried in the menus and to be honest like 90% of people I can't be bothered. The receive screen is uncluttered though it took me ages to work out how to change from north up to heading up.

In an ideal world I'd have AIS overlay on a large screen plotter/RADAR but that would mean changing my RADAR and most of my Raymarine instruments, and I'd still need an AIS receiver. A nice piece of kit and until I miraculously find £3,000 this does very nicely.

Realise this is an old post but why cannot you connect it to your plotter ? Assumed you could just take the output and plug it in and the targets would appear on the plotter.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Only with a compatible one which come after my old but trusty Raymarine RL70C. Any of Raymarine's multifunction style plotters are happy with AIS input and that goes back to the venerable C70.

If I remember, none of the Lowrance or Eagle range took AIS input, maybe the Lowrance ones do now. Standard horizon and lots of others are perfectly happy with this sort of input.

 

[Storyline]

[

Had one at 12 miles and I think that will probably do.
Good point about the advantage of a secondary back up use of the rail mount option.

Have one on the taffrail also but it has a different connection to the main VHF so will look out for an adapter for it, thanks for the reminder.

 

[mersey]

If I remember, none of the Lowrance or Eagle range took AIS input, maybe the Lowrance ones do now. Standard horizon and lots of others are perfectly happy with this sort of input.

Yup, the old GlobalMap range didn't accept AIS.

All HDS models do however, as do the some of the Elite models such as the Elite 5, 5M, Elite-7, 7M, and think some others too.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Yup, the old GlobalMap range didn't accept AIS.

All HDS models do however, as do the some of the Elite models such as the Elite 5, 5M, Elite-7, 7M, and think some others too.

Thanks for that clarification, I had one of the original GlobalMap range Lowrance plotters and it was damn good.

 

[2nd_apprentice]

The wiring instructions from the manufacturer are a bit misleading, so I've made my own, which they approved of (see image below).

Anyone know what type of plug this is?

There are several Furuno cables on ebay using a "Fuji 8-pin" connector:

They certainly share a common heritage with the 10-pin used by Matsutec. Maybe try a camera specialist?

Furuno transducer cable:

Furuno NMEA 0183:

 

[Alpha22]

Colour GPS is nice... haven't used the AIS in anger yet..... next month.... hopefully.

Having lived with mine for the summer..... I love it to bits. It works exactly as advertised, in fact I would say better than expected.
It's amazing what is out there!
The GPS is excellent too.

 

[nigelmercier]

Furuno NMEA 0183...

Update: I don't think that is quite the same, but I think I've found one, a GX16-10

Line plug and socket as picture above (perhaps for making an extension): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281175722040
Line socket as original lead, plus spare chassis mount plug: http://amzn.to/1nXUEzc

 

[2nd_apprentice]

That certainly looks the same, thanks. As it happens I got them to send me a spare.

How much? New Furuno cables are quite dear at around £40-50 and don't seem to come up s/h all that often. I'm thinking of having a RS232 or USB cable made (my soldering skills leave a lot to be desired). Thanks for the colour codes btw! The otherwise excellent manual wasn't all that helpful there.

 

[nigelmercier]

How much [for replacement cable]? ...

I probably shouldn't say this, but they sent it FOC, possibly due to my sending them the revised diagram. They did insist that the plug was a standard "aviation" type; I still couldn't find one. Perhaps searching for the Furuno type would get better results.

My current project for this unit is flush mounting. I've got the bits ready, will post pictures soon.

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Pretty impressive customer service then!

 

[TSB240]

My current project for this unit is flush mounting. I've got the bits ready, will post pictures soon.

Nigel Please do post details as I need to replace an old MLR GPS only unit that is flush mounted on the instrument binnacle above our hatch. I am hoping the Matsutec will fit in same space! Any Idea of cut out dimensions much appreciated?

Steve

 

[Alpha22]

How many do you want??

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/m20-10pin-Aviation-Circular-connector-M_897571038.html

Not too sure about this one though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Pin-Aviation-Amphenol-Cable-connector-plug-19mm-20mm-/280685780412?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Coaxial_Cables_Connectors&hash=item415a2d1dbc