New Radio, why do I need N2k interface?

[mattnj]

Planning on a new DSC Vhf, will be a SH GX1800G or GX1850G GPS built in, and a 2nd station, it has a NMEA interface, but for £20 more I can get it with N2k interface (both)

Why would I want that? the plan was standalone unit, no interfacing at all, why does it need it? just to keep it simple, but am I missing something? What would I want to output over N2K, or NMEA0183 for that matter and what to? Maybe you can control DSC options on a chartplotter? or view better DSC mayday info? Like everything these days it seems unnecessarily complicated...or me being daft?

i did find this..."Raymarine added support for DSC over NMEA 2000 in Lighthouse II V9.45. Reading the manual, that means the DSC Distress Alerts and responses from DSC Position Requests that you send can be displayed on the Raymarine MFD. There is no mention of calling, and although Raymarine MFD has a Buddy List, there is no mention of calling them either. "

 

[jwfrary]

The idea is that the plotter can call an AIS target via dsc directly from the plotter. in my experience this only seems to work within the brand. (Certainly for Simrad anyway)

It an underused feature. I think most people probably fit a set with integrated gps to avoid having to interface anything.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The idea is that the plotter can call an AIS target via dsc directly from the plotter. in my experience this only seems to work within the brand. (Certainly for Simrad anyway)

It an underused feature. I think most people probably fit a set with integrated gps to avoid having to interface anything.

Won't work with Raymarine or Standard Horizon, in any combination Jon.

 

[bedouin]

The manual gives a list of data the VHF will send - if you already have GPS on your plotter (as I assume you do) then the only useful information seems to be the position data from a DSC call. With this your plotter should be able to display directly the location of any DSC call (e.g. Mayday).

 

[pvb]

Planning on a new DSC Vhf, will be a SH GX1800G or GX1850G GPS built in, and a 2nd station, it has a NMEA interface, but for £20 more I can get it with N2k interface (both)

Why would I want that?

If it's only £20 extra, I'd suggest it's worth having N2K. When in the future you need a new plotter, you'll probably find that most of the decent makes will have ditched NMEA0183 in favour of N2K.

 

[requiem]

I think most people probably fit a set with integrated gps to avoid having to interface anything.

I'd fit one with integrated GPS simply to avoid it screaming when the plotter or other hardware wasn't powered up to feed it a location.

But yes, being able to view DSC data (or AIS data) on the main plotter is one of those things that should have been the default ages ago, along with placing DSC calls from the plotter. It's certainly something that would be on my list when shopping for a new plotter.

 

[jwfrary]

Won't work with Raymarine or Standard Horizon, in any combination Jon.

There you go, definitive. - paul will it work with a raymarine radio?

FYI I'm literally unboxing a simrad RS40 right now to get this feature with the NSO evo2 system. I'll report back when I have time to fit it on its usefulness.

 

[mattnj]

The manual gives a list of data the VHF will send - if you already have GPS on your plotter (as I assume you do) then the only useful information seems to be the position data from a DSC call. With this your plotter should be able to display directly the location of any DSC call (e.g. Mayday).

Thanks to all...

"should" be able to....wonder if it works across manufacturers....I can see a Mayday coming in and load of faffing about on the plotter trying to do DSC stuff!

it is worth having for £20 for the "one day", but i don't think i'll connect it, no intention of putting in an N2k backbone in at the moment, less to go wrong! had all fancy pants gear on last boat, didn't really bother with it...

I was mainly just checking I wasn't missing some amazing features....like if it showed the location of someone you were speaking to on VHF on the plotter...but it seems the benefits are slim...I guess if you didn't have a GPS already that's the main reason.

 

[jwilson]

Ability to call a VHF MMSI from a button or touchscreen option on the plotter is not actually something I've ever actually used, though my present kit allows it. It does seem like an excellent idea though, and you probably won't get that option without NMEA 2K and a newish plotter.

I've gone from a small boat with compass and leadline and no electrics (forget about electronics!) to a modern boat with all the toys. Nice to have but I've spent a lot more time maintaining and repairing than I used to. And spent a lot more money doing so, but I'm not that poor any more.

 

[Martin_J]

I use a Standard Horizon GX1500 (quite old now) and being connected to the B&G plotters using NMEA0183, the plotters do all show the other yachts location when using the Request Location feature on the VHF. They appear to call this DSC Polling on the newer Standard Horizon VHF sets. Could be good should you wish to track a buddy whilst offshore.

 

[PaulRainbow]

There you go, definitive. - paul will it work with a raymarine radio?

FYI I'm literally unboxing a simrad RS40 right now to get this feature with the NSO evo2 system. I'll report back when I have time to fit it on its usefulness.

No Jon, Raymarine don't support the feature. As far as i know, the only mainstream MFD/VHF combinations that work are some Simrad and Garmin, have to be same brand. There is also some compatibility with some Digital Yacht AIS, i think, but can't remember the details.