Connecting old to new B & G

[stephen_h]

We have B & G Network instruments in the cockpit with a repeater down below.
A Garmin plotter feeds GPS data to the Network.

I want to add a plotter in the cockpit but not sure if it is worth (or possible) connecting
to the old Network system NMEA 0183 with the latest NMEA 2000 B & G plotters.
Don't race so not sure I need all the features the latest ones offer or to just have it as standalone.
May want to add AIS and radar at some point in the future.

Going to have a look at SIBS but want to know what to ask and what is possible.

 

[prv]

I don't know the B&G stuff specifically, but I tend to think it's worth giving a plotter information on boat speed, heading, and to a lesser extent wind, if they're available. This will allow it to draw lines and arrows for tide, wind, and heading vs track - the latter is particularly useful since it shows your "leeway" due to wind and tide at a glance. Of course you'll have an awareness of these things in your head, but I do find it useful to have them accurately drawn out in front of me.

Pete

 

[Topcat47]

I have had compatibility problems with interfacing different versions of NMEA 0183 to old and (relatively) new equipment. I eventually bought a HH GPS to overcome the incompatibility, so I don't hold out much hope. Tinley Electronics in Lymington are the "experts" in retro fitting old and new B&G stuff, contact them.

 

[Dockhead]

NMEA2000 plotters work fine with NMEA0183 sensors. They all (as far as I know) have an NMEA0183 listener and talker port, and will bridge the data received to NMEA2000. If you have multiple 0183 devices, you can use a multiplexer. So a mixed 0183/N2K network will generally be fine and it's possible to convert to N2K gradually.

On the other hand, you can sell your 0183 gear now while there's still demand for it, and might find that it's not that expensive to entirely renew your electronics. Depends of course on what devices you have. But changing out the log and depth sensor to N2K devices will not be that expensive, and you will get decent money for the old ones. If all you have left is the wind sensor, then you don't even need a multiplexer.

But if you have something like a Raymarine wind sensor, it doesn't actually output 0183, it outputs (via the display, which is essential) SeaTalk. You'll need a different kind of adapter to get that into any kind of NMEA network.

Another question is how to integrate your pilot, if you are using it in a networked manner. This is usually possible but can be a little more complex. In most cases it's a good idea to acquire a new pilot computer (sell the old one), which can usually be used with the old linear drive or hydraulic pump and rudder sensor. The new pilot computers can be controlled with the new plotters, which is extremely convenient. The B&G/Simrad ones can be controlled by both a Zeus plotter and a Triton MFD and keypad. Really handy, and then you can use the pilot in wind-following and navigation modes.

 

[bitbaltic]

They all (as far as I know) have an NMEA0183 listener and talker port

Not the case for some of the latest Navico products. Neither the B&G Vulcan nor the Go series (Simrad equivalent) have an 0183 port, so the OP's concerns are valid in part.

To the OP; if your existing instruments are definitley able to output NMEA0183 (ie they aren't ancient analogue B&G), and you want to get a B&G plotter, you will need to source a Zeus2 (which does have an 0183 port) or use an N2K to 0183 converter if you buy a Vulcan. If you are using all B&G you should be fine with Navico's own converter (the AT10 universal); more expensive options by other companies like Actisense are available but there is not likely to be much point spending more if you are interfacing all Navico kit. The AT10 has bare wires to connect to 0183 but you would also need a Simnet to Micro-C cable to connect the AT10 to the Vulcan.

You will not be getting the best out of the latest B&G plotters without wind and boat speed data.