Another what electronics package/brand question.......

[maby]

Why less troublesome ?

When i get the gWind i'll connect it using N2K, see how that compares.

Sorry, I was not referring to the network connectivity - NMEA2000 is very good. I was referring to compatibility - although custom sentences are possible in NMEA0183, manufacturers did not seem to make so much use of them. If you link a plotter to an AP over 0183, the integration will probably be quite basic, but compatibility issues are rare.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Sorry, I was not referring to the network connectivity - NMEA2000 is very good. I was referring to compatibility - although custom sentences are possible in NMEA0183, manufacturers did not seem to make so much use of them. If you link a plotter to an AP over 0183, the integration will probably be quite basic, but compatibility issues are rare.

But the thing with custom sentences is, both devices have to be able to understand them and take advantage of them. Gary has a Simrad TP32, this will only do three things ;

1) Steer to compass heading. It'll do this stand alone.
2) Steer to a waypoint or route, that's the "Nav" button. It need GPS data for this.
3) Steer to wind. It needs wind data for this.

For 2 and 3 above, the AP uses standard NMEA sentences, so should work with any devices. The Simrad WP/TP32 supports NMEA 0183 and Simnet. Simnet will connect to N2K, only needs a cable with a devicenet connector on one end and bare wires on the other end to connect to the Simrad junction box.

The 0183 connection looks to be fine, but needs a sea trial to be sure. The Garmin plotter only transmits the wind data over N2k, so i'll need to use the Simnet connection when i add the gWind.

Just to add, the Garmin gWind 2 will not connect to any old plotter/display. It will only connect to the Garmin GNX or GPSMap plotters. Owners of echoMap plotters would need to use the wired gWind or add a GNX. Bit of a backward step IMO.