Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
Just wondered whether any forum members have the Amtec Camino 108w Transponder yet and if so, their views on it?
Camino 108w AIS
- Thread starter Ian_Rob
- Start date
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
It has integrated wifi and replaces the 101 - I think.
http://www.alltekmarine.com/products_detail.php?bgid=2&gid=43
BrianH
Well-Known Member
I would think the 108 (108W without wifi) replaces the 101, which has no wifi possibility and is what I have but not yet installed.
The 108 specification - I haven't looked too closely - seems to be very similar to the 101, perhaps just a change of form factor with the possibility to integrate a wifi function. Perhaps a new GPS chip as it has 50 channels to the 101's 48.
I have fired up the 101 at home - seems to work and is sending the correct AIS sentences. However, there are not many AIS targets to receive in the middle of continental Europe.
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
Thanks. The 108/108w seems good value pricewise.
BrianH
Well-Known Member
Depends how much that is ... and from whom. I bought from Milltech Marine, which the last time I looked didn't advertise the 108/108W. I've seen some silly prices in European outlets for the 101 - up to double the MM prices.
No doubt the cheapest is direct from China but I would be nervous about support - I buy plenty of cheaper stuff direct on e-bay but for more expensive products prefer US suppliers. MM have an excellent reputation and answered all my questions promptly and knowledgeably. No connection ...
http://www.milltechmarine.com/
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
A German supplier seems to have the wifi version for £497 incl delivery to the UK and tax.
BrianH
Well-Known Member
Hmm, seems a bit pricey to me - unless you must have the Wi-Fi version the 108 has quite a saving.
Be aware that, similar to the 101, to mute AIS transmissions a separate optional switch-box is required. The transmit-off function can be accomplished by the software utility but that implies you are using a PC for the display. I feed my netbook running OpenCPN, which works well with the unit with both AIS and GPS signals on the serial interface via a serial-USB adapter, so no big deal - although the software is a bit clunky and the whole operation is inelegant.
BrianH
Well-Known Member
@Ian_Rob
I presume you have read the following two threads ???
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?382812-Cheap-Chinese-AIS-Transponder
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?383694-Cheap-Chinese-AIS-Transponder-ordering
I presume you have read the following two threads ???
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?382812-Cheap-Chinese-AIS-Transponder
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?383694-Cheap-Chinese-AIS-Transponder-ordering
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
Yes, I have been following the Matsutec threads and will be interested to read the reviews that are promised in the next few days.
I am basically wanting an AIS for the new season and looking at all the possibilities. I am not sure whether wifi is worth it or not?
The 108 is available for 100 euros less than the 108w wifi version but at that price, the Em-Trak B100 transponder, available for £385 inc vat is cheaper still and with a UK Office.
I believe that the transponder silence function can be achieved with just a toggle or key switch and that it isn't necessary to buy the optional switch box.
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BrianH
Well-Known Member
Only you can know how you intend to capture and use the data. For me, a cable and USB adapter is quite suitable, the present set-up that the 101 will replace is a receive-only unit in a cupboard above the chart table with the USB cable to the netbook just below; simple and effective. If you need to access a wifi-enabled plotter or PC sited elsewhere I can understand the requirement.
I think you are right, a separate switch, cable and plug to the socket that shorts some pins. But I still maintain it is a physically inelegant solution. It also seems to have a further functionality, to activate a SRM transmission.
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
I think a separate key operated, panel mounted switch could be elegant [and safe from being accidentally turned on]. I hadn't picked up the SRM capability of the switch on this unit but I suppose that it could be similarly achieved as a separate panel button. Presumably these Safety Related Messages relate to an ability to contact a particular MMSI/ship, selected on the PC, at a push of the button. If so , I wonder if one needs the Amtec AIS viewer to allow this or whether it functions with other charting software? I'll speak to the distributors.
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jubro
Active Member
I see McMurdo are rebadging the Camino-108 as the SmartFind M10 (WiFi M10W), with a price hike of about £100 for the badge. That matches the price of similar products from other manufacturers, but I'm wondering whether it multiplexes from the NMEA inputs onto the NMEA and Wifi outputs…if it does, then it could replace a separate multiplexor and actually turn out to be a very good deal. In my application, I like to be able to send both wind & log data and AIS data to my chart plotter (NMEA) and over WiFi to my tablet. Traditionally I'd need a multiplexer such as a Brookhouse to do this, which is an extra £200+. If the Camino/SmartFind can do this trick, it's a neater and cheaper system.
jubro
Active Member
On closer inspection it appears that the Em-trek B100 is another badging of the Camino, but an older version (possibly a 101?) There's a user manual for the B100 online which says it WILL multiplex the data coming in on its low speed NMEA input with its AIS (and possibly GPS) data, and put them both out on the high-speed output, so I'm guessing that the newer Camino unit will do this too, plus the Camino-108 version appears to have configurable speeds on the NMEA ports, so it would work with my old Raymarine chart plotter. So I could get it to give me AIS, multiplex my boat data with it, AND put all data out on WiFi…the only thorn then is that my boat data is actually SeaTalk1 so I need an interface…perhaps I will have to use a separate multiplexer after all?
I know I could do all this easily if money were not so tight, or I had time to build something myself. I work in electronics and software by trade, but the boat is not somewhere I want to put home-built gear. It needs to be fit-and-forget. My budget is up to £600, split up as £400 for an AIS transponder, £100 for a SeaTalk interface, and £100 for WiFi, with multiplexing built in somewhere. I want to avoid having a laptop as an essential part of the system (to avoid using too much power).
I know I could do all this easily if money were not so tight, or I had time to build something myself. I work in electronics and software by trade, but the boat is not somewhere I want to put home-built gear. It needs to be fit-and-forget. My budget is up to £600, split up as £400 for an AIS transponder, £100 for a SeaTalk interface, and £100 for WiFi, with multiplexing built in somewhere. I want to avoid having a laptop as an essential part of the system (to avoid using too much power).
