Thinking about AIS purchase

[Travelling Westerly]

Im looking into buying an AIS unit. Current nav equipment is all up to date Raymarine but Im liking the look of the Vesper Vision Watchmate 2 system. Im really liking the anchor watch side of that gear too (better than the Raymarine Axiom attempt or lack of )

The only thing that worries me is the introduction of the new Cortex model. I dont want to spend the £1300 odd and find out the Vision unit is on its way out.

Does anybody know if thats the case - Vision 2 outgoing or here to stay for a while. Id be really upset if I buy it and a couple of moths later I see the thing on Cactus Nav at half price!

Thanks

 

[pvb]

Im looking into buying an AIS unit. Current nav equipment is all up to date Raymarine but Im liking the look of the Vesper Vision Watchmate 2 system. Im really liking the anchor watch side of that gear too (better then the Raymarine Axiom attempt or lack of )

The only thing that worries me is the introduction of the new Cortex model. I dont want to spend the £1300 odd and find out the Vision unit is on its way out.

Does anybody know if thats the case - Vision 2 outgoing or here to stay for a while. Id be really upset if I buy it and a couple of moths later I see the thing on Cactus Nav at half price!

The Vision 2 was introduced in, I think, 2017 so will surely be discontinued sometime soon.

Do you have an Axiom? If so, why do you need another display for the AIS?

 

[doug748]

That model is pretty neat and it is difficult to see how it could be uprated to something hugely better, however the movement is away from stand alone boxes so I guess they could discontinue the model in favour of black boxes, that might be more profitable. But, I have the previous black and white model which I think is now unavailable, after a run of the best part of 10 years. I kept a keen eye on the prices and never saw them discounted at any point so, if that is any pointer, you should be ok.
I think the reasons the prices were buoyant is that it was a popular and pretty unique product from a good company - and that has not changed with the Vision 2.

I like stand alone instruments and I think a fair few people still do so I would say the thing has a lot of life left. If you have the cash and like the product I would go for it.

.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

The Vision 2 was introduced in, I think, 2017 so will surely be discontinued sometime soon.

Do you have an Axiom? If so, why do you need another display for the AIS?

Good point - yes have an Axiom but its mounted on a pod above the helm. My thinking was installing the screen at the chart table so when inside I can see the AIS & anchor watch.

You got me thinking now as the Cortex M1 unit displays on a phone/ tablet that can be seen at the chart table. The phone will also display the anchor watch so I can see it from my bed...

 

[Travelling Westerly]

That model is pretty neat and it is difficult to see how it could be uprated to something hugely better, however the movement is away from stand alone boxes so I guess they could discontinue the model in favour of black boxes, that might be more profitable. But, I have the previous black and white model which I think is now unavailable, after a run of the best part of 10 years. I kept a keen eye on the prices and never saw them discounted at any point so, if that is any pointer, you should be ok.
I think the reasons the prices were buoyant is that it was a popular and pretty unique product from a good company - and that has not changed with the Vision 2.

I like stand alone instruments and I think a fair few people still do so I would say the thing has a lot of life left. If you have the cash and like the product I would go for it.

.

Thats great info thanks, always worried that Im buying something outdated and see it alot cheaper in a few months. Appreciate the reply

 

[pvb]

Good point - yes have an Axiom but its mounted on a pod above the helm. My thinking was installing the screen at the chart table so when inside I can see the AIS & anchor watch.

You got me thinking now as the Cortex M1 unit displays on a phone/ tablet that can be seen at the chart table. The phone will also display the anchor watch so I can see it from my bed...

Doesn't the Axiom have wifi to display on your phone?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Good point - yes have an Axiom but its mounted on a pod above the helm. My thinking was installing the screen at the chart table so when inside I can see the AIS & anchor watch.

You got me thinking now as the Cortex M1 unit displays on a phone/ tablet that can be seen at the chart table. The phone will also display the anchor watch so I can see it from my bed...

May i suggest an Emtrak AIS, various version available, look at the 900 series. Then put a Samsung tablet down below. You can then mirror the Axiom to the tablet, so you get charts, AIS, depth etc etc etc. Put Navionics on the tablet as a backup if the Axiom goes belly up. Samsung Galaxy tablets have built in GPS so they can be used stand alone as a backup.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Doesn't the Axiom have wifi to display on your phone?

Yes.

 

[[70521]]

You need to buy at some point in time or you never will. If they introduced new kit there might be some discount on the older models.

I've found Versper's customer service outstanding,. I have a unit built in 2011 and they still had spairs.

My AIS sits at the chart table and is not actively used for navigation as I find the Mark I eyeball more accurate. It's function is to let the CG, family and friends know where I am.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Doesn't the Axiom have wifi to display on your phone?

Yes it does but still want an AIS. Are you suggesting keeping with Raymarine gear - I guess there would be no compatibility issues...
The Raymarine anchor alarm seems a bit weak and Raymarine seem to be behind the curve with it, others have been requesting an update for a couple of years and nothing from Raymarine. I like the Vesper attempt at the anchor watch

 

[Travelling Westerly]

May i suggest an Emtrak AIS, various version available, look at the 900 series. Then put a Samsung tablet down below. You can then mirror the Axiom to the tablet, so you get charts, AIS, depth etc etc etc. Put Navionics on the tablet as a backup if the Axiom goes belly up. Samsung Galaxy tablets have built in GPS so they can be used stand alone as a backup.

Cheers Paul, will check that out .

I used Navionics on my Samsung tab whilst at anchor overnight. Shame it does not have a dedicated anchor alarm. I guess what Im after is an AIS unit that can also be used as a good anchor watch, operated via a mobile/tablet and hence operated in cabin/chart table. The Vision seemed to fit that bill with an added bonus of a fixed screen at the chart table but pvb got me thinking why do I need that which I can see.

I do have the Anchor Pro app as well which seems to work ok but in my head Im afraid my £4.99 app might not be the best idea to rely on whilst asleep.

 

[Neeves]

If you don't mind me saying so but it sounds as if you want a reliable anchor alarm and buying the Vesper AIS for its anchor alarm seems an expensive exercise. Vesper are known. renowned, for their AIS - buy it for what it is and start another thread if you want an anchor alarm. There are a number of anchor apps, some of which are free - you could supplement your expensive version with another (cheap one) and you still have your Raymarine. If you are still worried about the current Vesper unit being replaced - finding a better anchor alarm now will remove the inventive to rush off and invest in the Vesper and you can wait and see what develops.

Personally I like stand alone instruments - as if something does go wrong you are not reliant on one box to do everything.

Jonathan

 

[lustyd]

My AIS sits at the chart table and is not actively used for navigation as I find the Mark I eyeball more accurate. It's function is to let the CG, family and friends know where I am.

I assume you meant comprehensive rather than accurate. AIS tells you the precise location, heading and speed of vessels so unless you’re extremely talented it’s definitely the more accurate of the two!

 

[RJJ]

Yes.

I use a really cheap android tablet to pick up the Raymarine WiFi from the on-deck plotter. Works well, gives me the AIS and chart overlay as well as all the nav stuff; no wiring, and you can fit the AiS black box inside wherever is convenient, rather than where it is visible and looks good.

 

[[70521]]

I assume you meant comprehensive rather than accurate. AIS tells you the precise location, heading and speed of vessels so unless you’re extremely talented it’s definitely the more accurate of the two!

AIS tells me what the position is in a different way to my Mark I eyeball.

I would be extremely concerned if the eyeball and brain was incapable of working out if there is any risk of a collision of multiple small targets traveling at closing speeds of upto 120mph with CPAs of meters or less plus random pedestrians on our roads, but do we use AIS in motor vehicles?

Therefore, I would argue that we are all extremely talented.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

If you don't mind me saying so but it sounds as if you want a reliable anchor alarm and buying the Vesper AIS for its anchor alarm seems an expensive exercise. Vesper are known. renowned, for their AIS - buy it for what it is and start another thread if you want an anchor alarm. There are a number of anchor apps, some of which are free - you could supplement your expensive version with another (cheap one) and you still have your Raymarine. If you are still worried about the current Vesper unit being replaced - finding a better anchor alarm now will remove the inventive to rush off and invest in the Vesper and you can wait and see what develops.

Personally I like stand alone instruments - as if something does go wrong you are not reliant on one box to do everything.

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, thanks for the reply.

It was, in my mind, the other way round in that I need/want an AIS unit (that was not going to be replaced soon and hence cheaper than I paid) and all AIS units will give my Raymarine the same info I think, so one AIS unit is kind of the same as another in regards to information displayed on my axiom. Where they differentiate from each other is the little added bonuses such as the anchor alarms, WiFi, remote sensors, built in screen etc etc and that seemed important to me as well.
It happens that at the same time I wanted a better integrated anchor alarm that seems more polished than my app and and the raymarine poor attempt.
So number 1 want was AIS followed by Number 2 want which is an integrated anchor alarm. The vesper seems to tick those boxes for me and lots of others have agreed their support is great.
I wanted to start this thread to ensure the model I wanted, Vision 2 was not on its way out.

Saying all that though, I do agree that perhaps I have a need to start another thread about how to sleep soundly whilst at anchor as long as it does not descend into a which anchor is best thread as we all know where that will end up. Ill start one but Im sure it will go south, off topic and end in a row . You just want me to start it dont you

Cheers

 

[fredrussell]

My AIS sits at the chart table and is not actively used for navigation as I find the Mark I eyeball more accurate. It's function is to let the CG, family and friends know where I am.

What about in fog though? Don’t you want the AIS/plotter viewable from the helm?

 

[[70521]]

What about in fog though? Don’t you want the AIS/plotter viewable from the helm?

If I'm alongside I'd make a second breakfast, if at sea I crank up the radar and listen hard for sound signals.

Goodness knows how my late father survived 10 years at sea in the 1950s without all these new fangled electronic gadgets.

 

[Neeves]

Apologies Cornish - for my misenterpretaion. Here we have little commercial traffic, container ships and cruise ships (except the latter have all melted away). These large vessel follow well worn tracks and you can predict where they will be (following the 200m depth going south and around 100m going north (keeps them in or out of the current so they save fuel) - so AIS is of less importance. We domn't have much fog and as long as you keep a sensible watch these big vessels are hard to miss. Our worry is very small fish boats, run about, and or buoys laid by fishing boats - and they don't have AIS (so radar is a bit more useful).

I'd agree with Fred - if you think you need it - its better at the helm. Rushing to and from the helm to chart table is bound to increase heart rate.

Repeaters, or WiFi to a waterproofed tablet, is what we do.

The downside to your route that I see is that you need to keep the Vesper unit on overnight, to enable the anchor alarm and though the alarm might be good - what is the power draw - compared to a phone tablet.

Acknowledging the priority here, Oz East coast, is not your frequency of commercial traffic I'd still start a thread on anchor alarms, mention what you have and why you don't like it, so much - and see if you can remove this as 'part' of your priority. The Vesper unit might be the best thing since sliced bread - but you obviously have a phone, make the most of it - and then in a few weeks time - reassess what you still need. There is nothing wrong with, in the fullness of time, having a decent phone app and the Vesper unit - but first up - I wonder which is cheapest and quickest to instal . As some mentioned - not long ago we all survived without AIS ( and we still do). An anchor alarm you can use this next weekend (without going near a shipping lane)

Jonathan

 

[dansaskip]

I like Vesper stuff and am a great believer in standalone units. If something fails you don't want to lose everything, which is what strikes me may happen with these modern all integrated systems.
My vesper an old WMX850 watchmate is mounted at the chart table and has been brilliant.
I can also view it from the cockpit by looking through the hatch.
As an anchor alarm, an AIS unit and of course as a back up GPS should there be a problem with the main GPS/chartplotter whatever. It also uses very little electricity.