Matsutec HP528A AIS Vs HP528

[alastair]

Can anyone tell me the difference between The Matsutec HP528A and the HP528?
Both models are on Ebay but for the life of me I cant spot the difference, except that the 528 is approx. £100 cheaper then the 528A.

The 528A is
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Matsutec...240388?hash=item2150f65004:g:JCYAAOSwPDlcQTCh

and the 528 is here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-3-Inch...394771?hash=item215bc28253:g:W0IAAOSwepdcfccl.

Any feedback on anyone who uses one of these AIS transponders would be greatly appreciated

 

[Turnnidge]

If they follow the same pattern as previous models then the A means that it has the AIS transponder, hence the higher price. My HP33A has recently stopped transmitting, so I am thinking of going for one of the 528As.

 

[superheat6k]

I started with the HP-628A then after on season upgraded to the HP-1228A. The screen on the 628A was a bit small. But excellent value for money IMHO.

Also the Onwa range is the same plotter range with a different badge, model number and firmware.

I bought mine direct from the makers Huayang Electronics, who processed the order after payment without a fuss. I dealt with Susan, but I am not sure if she still works there. sales003@huayang-tech.com

 

[Yngmar]

They're both the AIS version, but the cheaper one ships from Singapore and you may or may not have to deal with customs and wait up to ~6 weeks for it, while the more expensive one ships from the UK. This also means if anything is wrong with it, you won't have to ship it back to Singapore. Up to you.

We have a HP33-A which is working problem free (just coming up on 2 years old now).

 

[gio70]

Can anyone tell me the difference between The Matsutec HP528A and the HP528?
Both models are on Ebay but for the life of me I cant spot the difference, except that the 528 is approx. £100 cheaper then the 528A.

The 528A is
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Matsutec...240388?hash=item2150f65004:g:JCYAAOSwPDlcQTCh

and the 528 is here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-3-Inch...394771?hash=item215bc28253:g:W0IAAOSwepdcfccl.

Any feedback on anyone who uses one of these AIS transponders would be greatly appreciated

The HP528A is a GPS and an AIS transponder. The HP528 is only a GPS with the possibility of displaying the data of an external AIS. It is necessary to be very careful because many sellers do not specify this difference. Often the product images do not help because the VHF transmission/reception connector (the fourth connector) is shown on the back of the device. Instead in the HP528 there is no AIS module so it has only three connectors on the back.

 

[alastair]

Many Thanks for all your replies.