Delphis
New Member
I'm looking into buying a Garmin 4008 or 5008 and would like to know if my existing 'Autohelm' Log, Echo & Wind instruments will be compatible with the Garmin Multi Function Display via their NMEA outputs?
Garmin & Autohelm compatability?
- Thread starter Delphis
- Start date
Bloater
Well-Known Member
Basically they are not directly compatible. I have raymarine ST50 tridata and wind and have recently added a garmin 4010 plotter. In order to get the raymarine SeaTalk instruments to work on the garmin system I had to purchase a Raymarine interface box. It now all works perfectly.
The interface box cost about £125 and is the E85001 model.
The interface box converts SeaTalk into NMEA0183 and this is input to the Garmin plotter. I also have a new garmin autopilot and this reads the wind and speed log from the garmin network (but only when the plotter is switched on)
I hope this helps.
The interface box cost about £125 and is the E85001 model.
The interface box converts SeaTalk into NMEA0183 and this is input to the Garmin plotter. I also have a new garmin autopilot and this reads the wind and speed log from the garmin network (but only when the plotter is switched on)
I hope this helps.
greenalien
Well-Known Member
There is another solution - if you can get your hands on an ST50 compass, this includes a Seatalk to NMEA converter, which will connect to Garmin's NMEA input. I know this works, because it's what I use with my Garmin 4012 - and it also gives you the excellent 'moving ribbon' compass display at the top of the Garmin screen, and allows the Radar to synchronise with the chart display in overlay mode. If you have an Autohelm autopilot with Seatalk, it also serves as an on/off course indicator, so it's something well worth having.
If you buy a used ST50 compass, make sure the fluxgate transducer is included - it won't work without it! This needs to be remotely mounted as close to the boat's centre of pitch/roll as possible - mine's inside the saloon table.
If you buy a used ST50 compass, make sure the fluxgate transducer is included - it won't work without it! This needs to be remotely mounted as close to the boat's centre of pitch/roll as possible - mine's inside the saloon table.