AIS Transponder- Matsutec hp33A or hp528A ??

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Jul 2009
Messages
3,311
Location
Bristol Channel
Visit site
A lot has been written here about the AIS Transponder Matsutec hp33A and everyone appears to be happy with it. The Matsutec hp528A ii is also a transponder, but no many people have shown interest on this instrument.

Am I correct saying that they are both transponders (receive and transmit) and both have gps. I am thinking of buying a low cost standalone AIS trasponder; the Matsutec 33A or 528A seems to be the only option. Any feedback?
 
Both are transponders and both by requirement have their own GPS receiver. They appear to be much of a muchness.


CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
A lot has been written here about the AIS Transponder Matsutec hp33A and everyone appears to be happy with it. The Matsutec hp528A ii is also a transponder, but no many people have shown interest on this instrument.

Am I correct saying that they are both transponders (receive and transmit) and both have gps. I am thinking of buying a low cost standalone AIS trasponder; the Matsutec 33A or 528A seems to be the only option. Any feedback?
Click to expand...
 
I am amazed the take up of the Matsutec HP-6/8/12 28A model Chart Plotter / AIS transceivers is so low. These are simply excellent. I started with the HP-628A but found the screen a bit small for a fly bridge so sold this (for what I paid a year previously) in favour of the HP-1228A. With a 12" screen this is the Mutt's Nuts, and the wiring was fully compatible so very little extra re-install required.
 
I am looking at the moment at the KP-39 made by the same compay. The HP528A looks like its a surplus item and replaced by a new model KP-38.
This Combo KP -38 is a GPS/Plotter/Mode B AIS SOTDMA Transponder. Its supplied with the latest K-Chart and it will also take C-Maps. I am just in a process of buying this unit. The KP 39 has a 7 inch display.
Has somebody ordered it already?
Frank
 
Last edited:
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
A lot has been written here about the AIS Transponder Matsutec hp33A and everyone appears to be happy with it. The Matsutec hp528A ii is also a transponder, but no many people have shown interest on this instrument.
Click to expand...

There seems very little about the 528A online. Is it a GPS/AIS like the 33A or is it a plotter like 6/8/12 28A? Since I can't find any pictures of it doing plotter-y things, I'm guessing that it's the successor to the 33A.

By the way, my 33A started behaving very oddly after three years and died after four, but I now suspect that that was because of a dodgy power feed which was going off and on every few seconds and which thoroughly upset it. I have a new 33A waiting to go in. Not a plotter because I don't want a plotter.
 
superheat6k said:
I am amazed the take up of the Matsutec HP-6/8/12 28A model Chart Plotter / AIS transceivers is so low. These are simply excellent. ..
Click to expand...

They seem to have some really interesting products. What they lack is an importer/agent. They would hold stock, create a website, provide advice, run a spares line, field warranty problems, troubleshoot documentation, advertise and supply dealers.
By which time the prices will have gone up a notch or two. Catch 22, I guess.
 
doug748 said:
They seem to have some really interesting products. What they lack is an importer/agent. They would hold stock, create a website, provide advice, run a spares line, field warranty problems, troubleshoot documentation, advertise and supply dealers.
By which time the prices will have gone up a notch or two. Catch 22, I guess.
Click to expand...

There have been some questions about certification, though the latest HP-33As claim to be properly CE (not China Export) certificated. I take the view that AIS standards are the same in China as they are in Europe, and that twenty years in a forced labour camp there for widdling over the VHF spectrum is more likely to induce compliance than a small fine from Hampshire Trading Standards.
 
" They seem to have some really interesting products. What they lack is an importer/agent. They would hold stock, create a website, provide advice, run a spares line, field warranty problems, troubleshoot documentation, advertise and supply dealers.
By which time the prices will have gone up a notch or two. Catch 22, I guess. "

Already exists but as an Onwa importer/agent.

www.aversmarine.com

The plotters that are mentioned in the post, Matsutec HP-6/8/12 Plotter / AIS transceivers, are OEM products manufactured by Onwa and badged Matsutec by a Hong Kong e-seller, Huayang. KP-38 and 39 and both A versions are manufactured by Onwa.
 
Last edited:
Hi, is the HP-1228A an AIS receiver or transponder please? And bein g a complete dummy in these matters, do you need an SD card or can you use it as a stand alone AIS? Many thanks.
 
Straightman21 said:
Hi, is the HP-1228A an AIS receiver or transponder please? And bein g a complete dummy in these matters, do you need an SD card or can you use it as a stand alone AIS? Many thanks.
Click to expand...
The HP-1228A is a full 12" plotter with built in AIS transceiver. The AIS doesn't need anything except the supplied GPS aerial and a VHF aerial for other ships data collection, either via a splitter or dedicated aerial (I prefer the latter).

For the plotter to show anything sensible you will either need K charts (I have tried the Onwa K charts but they would not work) or a CMAP Chart card in the SD card format.

As far as I can tell the Onwa and Matsutec are generics of the same thing, but I do not know which models exactly equate.

My HP-1228A also outputs NMEA0183 at 38000 baud (hi speed) to my Raymarine C120 display, which picks up both AIS and GPS positional data over this single port. I was concerned I would not get the positional GPS data when I first installed the HP-628A, but it picked up everything just fine. I upgraded to the HP-1228A after one season.
 
I have just purchased an Onwa KP-39A. For less than the cost of an AIS transceiver you get an AIS with display , a 7" chartplotter with free worldwide K charts and a microSD slot for CMaps. With a power requirement of just over 0.5A it seems the perfect all in one solution for a small boat.
It is properly CE marked and there are 2 UK dealers. I was told that Onwa has no connection with Matsutec but the KP-1299A looks identical to the HP-1228A. The power requirement for the 12" plotter is under 1A so you could easily leave it on as an AIS transceiver.
It does have limited connectivity which is not a problem for my small boat but you can add NMEA 0183 wind instruments. I think there is also a version with a depth sounder. It does not fully interface with my Standard Horizon VHF.
I used Alan at AVES marine who was very helpful - no connection except as a customer.
I will not be back in the water until April but will report back with my experiences with the K charts.
 
Paw Paw said:
Couple of questions... Can you use it as a stand alone AIS transceiver without running the chartplotter?

Will it support a radar?

Thanks
Click to expand...
1 I suppose you could run it just as an AIS Transceiver, but with the chart plotter main screen it shows the other AIS targets in position on the chart. There is an AIS target screen too.

2 No it won't support a radar input nor overlay. But I send its AIS and positional data to my C120 display where it does work with radar overlaid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Y
Vespermarine XB-6000 AIS transponder
2
Replies
24
Views
471
PaulRainbow
PaulRainbow

Share this page

Top