Which AIS

[ITH]

Thinking of installing AIS to display on existing Standard Horizon chart plotter. S.H. says that its chart plotter will work with any NMEA-compatible AIS engine. It "doesn't recommend specific units" but says that "both NASA and Easy-AIS units are known to work."

Would appreciate opinions from existing AIS users.

 

[hubert]

I've used both. They perform pretty much the same. A very worthwhile addition to any chart plotter.

 

[boatmike]

There is no comparison with regard to build quality. I believe the Easy is just better quality entirely and incidentally have one coupled to a SH 500 and it's very good.

 

[hubert]

The build quality of both my units is excellent. Both have good quality circuit boards, good quality connectors and cables. I cannot fault either on performance or quality.

 

[pvb]

One thing worth noting is that the latest EasyAIS 2 has a dual channel parallel receiver, whereas the latest Nasa AIS 2 engine still only has a single channel receiver, which alternates between the A & B channels. Would also be worth looking at the Comar AIS2, which also has a dual parallel receiver.

 

[gavina]

Tests we have carried out using the Comar-2-NMEA and Comar-2-USB units show that they perform very well - they are also compact and robust.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
Tests we have carried out using the Comar-2-NMEA and Comar-2-USB units show that they perform very well - they are also compact and robust.

[/ QUOTE ]

Am very interested in the Comar 2 - USB. Have you any idea whether it will work with Tusami 99 charts/software?

 

[Amphitrite]

Tsunami 99 is from a pre-AIS era - so unfortunately it does not work. Anyway, the Comar-2-USB is a great unit and by far the simplest to use with a PC. For a plotter, the EasyAIS is great.

 

[jerryat]

Thanks for that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's a shame because I don't have a chartplotter and an 'add-on' would have been useful for the occasional channel crossing in fog - the only time I'm likely to have used it.

The T99 stuff works beautifully on my laptop too! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ITH]

THanks for your input boatmike et al. Guess I'll add EasyAIS to the Xmas fairy's list, or wait to see if there are any sale offers in the New Year.

 

[pvb]

Make sure you get the benefit of the latest version by specifying EasyAIS 2 - the original EasyAIS wasn't a dual parallel receiver.

 

[Modulation]

I went for the easy ais 2 a couple of months ago. very pleased with it and it works very well with th SH chart plotter. for the extra £30 it seemed to be a low marginal cost.
what's especially surprising is how soon you come to rely on it.

 

[ITH]

Noted pvb, thanks for the tip.