GPS interfaces

whiteoaks7

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Nov 2002
Messages
570
Location
South Wales, UK
www.seasolutions.co.uk
New boat - new fixed GPS - I need it to talk to (1) Radar (Furuno), (2) DSC VHF (3) My laptop plotter. Assuming something like a Garmin 152 (my current preference) can I just link all these three 'clients' in parallel on the Garmin NMEA output pair, or do I have to buy something like a splitter or MUX?

A nice technical question for the forum . . .
 
I presume you have yet to buy the Garmin? Do check with the supplier that it will be compatible with the other kit, the fact it says NMEA is not sufficient, for some odd reason the older Garmins seem to be OK but the later versions are missing some of the sentences which are needed for the links, so suggest you get the assurance from the dealer you buy from!!
 
No splitter needed. Just wire them in parallel on the NMEA out pair. As others have said, check nmea version compatibility. If it's all new kit NMEA 2000 is the latest, rahter than 183. The GPS will probably have a menu allowing you to select whether it talks 183 or 2000

Clients are called "listeners" by the way :-)
 
God ! doesn't it all begin to sound like Windows and GPIB - and look where that got us !!!! ;-) Just so long as no-one mentions Unix.

Thanks for the answer - I just discovered something else to hang from it, the Autohelm. Now I shall be able to just send my boat to where I want to go and meet her when she gets there . . .
 
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