Onwa KP-39A Class B AIS and Chartplotter

The charts are of similar quality to the Navionics phone app. Before buying, the agent (in New Zealand) took photos of the screen showing the chart at a few locations that I requested, so that I could compare them with my Navionics phone app.
I have model KP-38 (without AIS). I have had it about six months and have been pleased with it so far.
 
I got two KP39A one on old Boat (daughters boat) and the latest version on my own boat. Im very happy with the KP39A.
In Navionics Maps on SD and K3Charts of ONWA. On the table I use the Navionics app. There is no difference between the 3 different charts. The Navioncs SD shows the same as the Navionics App on the tablet, the K3 Chart has just different colors. The Internals of the Onwa 39A looks very similar to Furuno, most likley the Foruno comes from the same factory.
Both units use the SOTDMA standard. Other suppiers charge more for the AIS Unit then Onwa charges for the unit
The X44 Sd card was not necessary to buy the K3 is all what you need.
 
Can anybody comment on the 708A? Supposed to be better screen and faster running I think?
I will confess mine is the 708A. I bought it cheap from Aves as it was an ex demo on a boat but looked brand new.
It looks the same as the 39a but has the advantages that you have stated.
Aves said the 39a can struggle with the k3 charts due to their sheer size so the K2 charts are recommended , but I see frankklose does not appear to have an issue..
I have never had screen lag when scrolling around the chart .
Speed is king so more power has to be a good thing right ?

. The Internals of the Onwa 39A looks very similar to Furuno,
I,ve come across that before. Maybe a discontinued furuno rebadged and rebound.
 
I am using ONWA K2 charts as that is what was loaded on my KP-38 when I bought it. I could download K3 charts free from ONWA. Does anyone know if there is much difference between K2 and K3 and whether it is true that K3 runs slowly on the smaller units, or is it a baseless rumour?
 
You need a a newer firmware. The K3 charts are slower, but if you leave the harbour it shows the position than it's OK. Just planning a route is a bit slow.
 
Send an email to Onwa Support. There Support is good, it just takes 24 hours
The previous remarks about Onwa Support I can not share. I been in charge of IT Support departments and know what to expect....its only strange that all technicians have the same name with Onwa. I went through a number of prereleases....I sail in the baltic. Boat is in Poland.
 
I recently bought the KP 39A from Alan at Aves ........... very VERY happy ...

K Charts are very good and FREE !! (Swedish dealer wants to charge for the K Charts !! )

That magnet ? Yes it does give a slight deflection to a compass ... but its in the puck - not in the main unit. The puck uses an SMA plug - so easy enough to get a puck from Banggood or similar for peanuts without a magnet.

I see no reason to spend more than what this cost - it has AIS transmit B ... recieve A + B ... data out .. data in ...

Even though set had travelled from UK and its last switch on (Alan programmed it all up for me ) to Latvia ... the start up and acquisition was as fast as my Drone Geo-Video stuff and that's FAST !

Recc'd ? Yes. Both Alan at Aves Marine and the unit / charts.
 
I recently bought the KP 39A from Alan at Aves ........... very VERY happy ...

K Charts are very good and FREE !! (Swedish dealer wants to charge for the K Charts !! )

That magnet ? Yes it does give a slight deflection to a compass ... but its in the puck - not in the main unit. The puck uses an SMA plug - so easy enough to get a puck from Banggood or similar for peanuts without a magnet.

I see no reason to spend more than what this cost - it has AIS transmit B ... recieve A + B ... data out .. data in ...

Even though set had travelled from UK and its last switch on (Alan programmed it all up for me ) to Latvia ... the start up and acquisition was as fast as my Drone Geo-Video stuff and that's FAST !

Recc'd ? Yes. Both Alan at Aves Marine and the unit / charts.

I've also just taken delivery of one. Haven't had a proper chance to put it through its paces but from a brief temporary set up it all looked good.

Edit to add: it was actually the 708A that we got
 
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