Vesper Marine WatchMate Vision

[CameoSailing]

I'm looking to add AIS to my yacht for coastal/channel crossing. Of my trawl of the internet I have come across the Vesper Marine WatchMate Vision, which looks a suitable product for my needs and the reviews I have found look positive.

Does anybody have experience of this product, comments with regard to self installation and usage would be helpful. With regard to installation did you have any real problems and did you need any extra items, i.e. external GPS aerial, antenna splitter etc.

Cheers

Tony

 

[RJD393]

Tony - no help I'm afraid but I was looking at this unit 12 mths ago. Lack of information and the fact that any issues meant the unit went back to NZ lead me to go down an alternative route. Situation may be different now. Lots of really nice features on th Vesper. Richard

 

[RichardS]

Take a look at Paul Heiney's blog. I think he took one of those down to the Cape and back and highly recommended it.

Richard

 

[prv]

I have a Watchmate 670 and highly recommend it, probably to the boredom of other forumites

The Vision series are quite different to the original 670/750/850 units, so I can't comment on it specifically, but they're a good company who make good stuff.

Richard's point about lack of information is a good one - they used not to publish the manuals on their website which was a serious omission. I exchanged several emails with them about a year ago and succeeded in persuading them that some of us require more comprehensive detail before buying, and they did then put the manuals (at least for the 670/750/850) online.

Pete

 

[Andrew G]

I have a Vesper Watchmate 850 with splitter (AIS/VHF/AM/FM), external GPS and masthead AIS/VHF tuned antenna. I also have the optional USB cable with a waterproof lock on it (input to OpenCPN). Couldn’t be happier. Installation was easy - no problems. Sure it comes from NZ but we live in a global environment (I “even” get gear from US, EU and UK in a week or two - just as though it was from next door). I found the personal follow-up to any technical and delivery queries prompt and detailed. Andrew (no connection - but I wished there were).

 

[ribrage]

I have a Vesper Watchmate 850 with splitter (AIS/VHF/AM/FM), external GPS and masthead AIS/VHF tuned antenna. I also have the optional USB cable with a waterproof lock on it (input to OpenCPN). Couldn’t be happier. Installation was easy - no problems. Sure it comes from NZ but we live in a global environment (I “even” get gear from US, EU and UK in a week or two - just as though it was from next door). I found the personal follow-up to any technical and delivery queries prompt and detailed. Andrew (no connection - but I wished there were).

+1 I have the 850 and its been an excellent bit of kit - easy installation and operation - quick replies to anything i asked vespers.

 

[oldvarnish]

Take a look at Paul Heiney's blog. I think he took one of those down to the Cape and back and highly recommended it.

Richard

I did indeed. The Vesper has a very easy interface. I added a separate aerial mounted on the top spreaders. On a good day it will be picking up ships 40 miles away (which can be filtered of course. It was a receiver only - not transmitter.

 

[CameoSailing]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all the replies, this has been very helpful, in particular the comments regarding installation.

In the majority all comments seemed positive about Vesper products. It just leaves me to decide which one would best suit my needs.

Cheers

Tony

 

[Georgio]

+1 I have the 850 and its been an excellent bit of kit - easy installation and operation - quick replies to anything i asked vespers.

Exactly what he said. had it three years now.