Standalone AIS receiver - for iPad or PC USB

[dunedin]

For various reasons I don't want to go through hassle of permanently fitting an AIS receiver. But would like to have the capability if needed for very rare occasions of fog etc.

Has anybody got experience of using a standalone AIS receiver. For clarity must receive radio signals (not just a phone App which needs Internet) and able to be connected either to an iPad (ideal) or PC via USB. Power needs to be via 12v cigarette lighter style socket or via USB.

Haven't found any suitable device that connects to an iPad - are there any?

The u-AIS from Digital Yacht looks closest, connecting to a laptop
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Yac...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1399407888&sr=1-2&keywords=Uais
Anybody used this in practice?

Also, can he MemoryMap charting software which I already have be used to give an AIS overlay?

 

[DJE]

I've got one of these:

http://www.radargadgets.com/buyais.htm

Attached to a cheap vhf antenna on a pushpit mount. It works fine with OpenCPN or Meridian Seatrack on a PC. Output is via a USB plug; can you attach that to an Ipad? AIS display is much better on OpenCPN by the way.

 

[Heckler]

I've got one of these:

http://www.radargadgets.com/buyais.htm

Attached to a cheap vhf antenna on a pushpit mount. It works fine with OpenCPN or Meridian Seatrack on a PC. Output is via a USB plug; can you attach that to an Ipad? AIS display is much better on OpenCPN by the way.

Mine is still for sale
Stu

 

[temptress]

For various reasons I don't want to go through hassle of permanently fitting an AIS receiver. But would like to have the capability if needed for very rare occasions of fog etc.

Has anybody got experience of using a standalone AIS receiver. For clarity must receive radio signals (not just a phone App which needs Internet) and able to be connected either to an iPad (ideal) or PC via USB. Power needs to be via 12v cigarette lighter style socket or via USB.

Haven't found any suitable device that connects to an iPad - are there any?

The u-AIS from Digital Yacht looks closest, connecting to a laptop
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Yac...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1399407888&sr=1-2&keywords=Uais
Anybody used this in practice?

Also, can he MemoryMap charting software which I already have be used to give an AIS overlay?

Stay away from the Digital Yacht AIS. I have one and their USB port is not engineered correctly. I have spoken to DY about it and they just try to sell me their PC saying it's everyone else's engineering that is wrong.

Their USB port keeps shorting out. They simply say it is because everyone else is wrong.

 

[Joker]

Try:
http://www.comarsystems.com/ais_2_usb.html
You could also try and find an adapter so you could use the VHF aerial from a handheld.

 

[DJE]

There's always the wifi option:

http://www.vespermarine.com/transponders/xb8000-ais-transponder.html/

 

[Tranona]

The NASA AIS engine works with a PC using their serial/USB adaptor. Works fine on my Vista PC and Meridian charts.

 

[RichardS]

There's always the wifi option:

http://www.vespermarine.com/transponders/xb8000-ais-transponder.html/

My thoughts about the XB-8000 are here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...iPad-2-3g-have-GPS-standalone-YES-or-NO/page2

You can get one for a lot less than the manufacturers price.

Richard

 

[dunedin]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
Things like the Vesper may be fine for an installed system, but not for what I am looking for - not wired into the boat.
And the NASA could be made to work standalone, but a lot of kit to set up for occasional use - box, 12v supply cable, serial to USB converter, aerial. A lot more than the apparently one piece Digital Yacht, or the radar gadget, which look like the front runners (other than the potential USB issue flagged by Tempresss which could be a show stopper)

Does feel like there is a bit of a gap in the market for off the shelf AIS devices for laptops, that has long been covered for GPS with the USB dongles.
Any other ideas welcome

 

[RichardS]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
Things like the Vesper may be fine for an installed system, but not for what I am looking for - not wired into the boat.
And the NASA could be made to work standalone, but a lot of kit to set up for occasional use - box, 12v supply cable, serial to USB converter, aerial. A lot more than the apparently one piece Digital Yacht, or the radar gadget, which look like the front runners (other than the potential USB issue flagged by Tempresss which could be a show stopper)

Does feel like there is a bit of a gap in the market for off the shelf AIS devices for laptops, that has long been covered for GPS with the USB dongles.
Any other ideas welcome

Sounds like you might be looking for an AIS dongle http://www.chartsandtides.co.uk/chartplotter/gpsdongle

You still need an aerial though so it's not completely self-contained.

Richard

 

[dunedin]

Sounds like you might be looking for an AIS dongle http://www.chartsandtides.co.uk/chartplotter/gpsdongle

You still need an aerial though so it's not completely self-contained.

Richard

Thanks - yes that takes me back to the DigitalYacht uAiS option I started with, at a slightly cheaper price just under £200. The other AIS dongle shown looks like the radar gadgets device with a different label, but is listed as no longe available (though the radar gadgets one is available elsewhere at £100 plus extra for the aerial - looks like perhaps £50 for a mobo style.

 

[n4585k]

The NASA AIS engine works with a PC using their serial/USB adaptor. Works fine on my Vista PC and Meridian charts.

Unfortunately it doesn't work on a Mac though...

 

[Joker]

The Comar I linked to is USB powered - all you have to do is plug in to the PC.

 

[dunedin]

The Comar I linked to is USB powered - all you have to do is plug in to the PC.

Thanks yes, but it looks like the most expensive option. As ships and poor viz are fortunately very rare in our sailing not planning to spend more than necessary on this (spend plenty on other gadgets ;-)