connections - plotter, tablet and AIS

[Balticfly]

I single-hand on long passages and have only recently installed a chart plotter, an eS75 MFD. I want to add an AIS and run this through the chart plotter. I need to navigate from the chart table as well as steer at the helm.
I either:
• need a cockpit repeater so that I keep the plotter at the chart table and work with it there but see its output when at the helm
• or mount the plotter in the cockpit but also be able to see its output and drive it from chart table.
Can I use a tablet at the chart table to read the chart plotter output AND enter new waypoints and look at routes and so on? Will the AIS data showing on the chart plotter also show on the tablet or do I need a separate connection from AIS to tablet?
Can I use an ST60 tridata display in the cockpit as repeater? Will this show the AIS data via the plotter or will it need a separate feed from the AIS? Or will it not show AIS at all?
What alternative repeater displays could I mount in the cockpit?
Thanks for any help.

 

[prv]

I suggest you move the plotter to the cockpit if at all possible. It makes more sense from a situational-awareness point of view to have it in sight at all times rather than bobbing up and down to look at it intermittently, and also means you can see your surroundings while looking at the chart - for both navigational and lookout purposes. Even more so with AIS.

Personally I prefer the plotter at the front of the cockpit under the sprayhood, rather than in front of the wheel. This might be different for you if you hand-steer a lot while singlehanded.

If you still think you need to control things from the chart table sometimes, Raymarine has a couple of phone/tablet apps that will connect to the plotter via wifi. One is designed as a remote keypad for when you can see the plotter screen but not reach it, the other is a full remote showing both controls and screen. It will duplicate everything shown on the plotter and no other connections are needed.

The idea of a Tridata display showing AIS is just baffling.

You could use an i70 instrument to display only AIS in the cockpit, but it will be limited compared to moving the plotter, and also more expensive.

Pete

 

[johnalison]

I have the plotter at the chart table for historic reasons but my repeater is in the form of the Raymarine Graphic Repeater, which will display anything I wish almost. I am often at the helm for many hours, so I normally have on display Bearing to Waypoint, Distance to Waypoint, COG and SOG, telling me all I need for most trips. I have an iPad to display and control the plotter screen but this is not entirely satisfactory, especially in bright sun, but my system serves its purpose well.

 

[Caladh]

I have the plotter at the chart table for historic reasons but my repeater is in the form of the Raymarine Graphic Repeater, which will display anything I wish almost. I am often at the helm for many hours, so I normally have on display Bearing to Waypoint, Distance to Waypoint, COG and SOG, telling me all I need for most trips. I have an iPad to display and control the plotter screen but this is not entirely satisfactory, especially in bright sun, but my system serves its purpose well.

+1 Likewise I have a very similar setup to johnalson and it work very well other than the Ipad in brigtish sunlight. I also I/f AIS to the plotter.

 

[prv]

it work very well other than the Ipad in brigtish sunlight.

This plus waterproofing is why I suggest putting the plotter in the cockpit and the tablet below decks.

Pete

 

[lpdsn]

You could use an i70 instrument to display only AIS in the cockpit, but it will be limited compared to moving the plotter, and also more expensive.

I wouldn't recommend the i70 for AIS info any more. I have one and it was OK at first. Only a 4" screen but usable and you can vary range (albeit with getting on for half a dozen button pushes). But there's been such as increase in AIS usage in the last few years, class B in particular, that it is often maxed out in coastal waters and it's a nuisance drilling down to the right target amongst so many. I jokingly call it the marina detector because of the clumps of boats whose owners have gone home leaving the AIS on.

 

[Allan]

I'm pretty sure we have the same MFD. We have it at the wheel and use a Lenovo tablet, wified to it, everywhere else. The Raymarine apps allow you to either just view or fully control it. In good weather or with a cover it's even useful in the cockpit. One of us can change settings, check AIS targets, etc. without getting in the way of the helm.
Allan

 

[Dazzajohm]

When I wanted to add AIS to my MFD, I did a bit of reasearch and ended up buying the standard horizon gx2200e chef with built in AIS. Connect the radio to the mfd via the NMEA cables which was easy and AIS was displayed on the charts.

If I want to view my mfd away from the helm. As others have suggested I find the iPad app works well.

 

[Daverw]

Put the waterproof designed for purpose chartplotter in the cockpit and use the iPad / tablet down below where it’s better suited, easy no brainer in my view

 

[Caladh]

Put the waterproof designed for purpose chartplotter in the cockpit and use the iPad / tablet down below where it’s better suited, easy no brainer in my view

I work the other way round. I know viewing a tablet in the cockpit in sunlight is variable. However my thinking was for security and having to unplug and move my lovely expensive plotter everytime I closed the boat up and reverse when setting off again.