Heading data (for Furuno 1722C)

[ufo31]

I need to add heading data to my Furuno radar/plotter so that I can overlay plotter on radar and for this I need heading data. Furuno fluxgate compass cost $$$$$$ (sorry no pound sign on PC) anyone know if I can use a cheaper fluxgate compass with NMEA output. I think cheaper devices only output every second, would this be a problem, ie too slow?

 

[aluijten]

Yes to most questions.

You can use alternative NMEA compasses, but what you actually need is a fast heading sensor. This is a combination of a gyro-compass and a fluxgate compass and normally outputs at 10 Hertz (10 messages per second). 'Classic' fluxgates will not go over 1 Hertz.
These fast heading things are quite expensive (Raymarine has one at approx. 2000 Euro if I remember correctly)
Problem is that a Radar overlay can be hard to use when the heading information comes in at lower speed as radar-echoes jump up and down over the screen every time the new heading comes in. Alternatively you can use a normal NMEA compass and by putting map and radar side by side on the screen you have still a nice solution without the costs of a gyro-compass.

Arno

 

[ufo31]

Thanks Arno, this was much as I suspected. Your alternative idea sounds like a good compromise

Nic