Which AIS

[Caer Urfa]

Looking at the SmarterChart 500 Chart Plotter / AIS Combo against the Nasa AIS Radar unit.

One is double the price, but from the AIS point of view does the Smarterchart also 'always' show 'North up' instead of the boats 'bow/direction up' which I am informed is a disadvantage/inconveniance with the NASA unit, which otherwise people who have the Nasa unit seam to be happy with.

Or is there another new generation of AIS/Plotters on the way??

Which would you buy and why, OR what's better in the price range!

Mike

 

[markdj]

If that is the digital yacht ais unit, i would make sure you try it out first. When i was at sibs i tested out quite a number of small chart plotters with ais capability and found the smartchart one very slow and cumbersome to use. Would recommend the Standard Horizon 180i which you can display ais with a receiver.

Nasa unit you talk about is standalone radar like display.

 

[pvb]

does the Smarterchart also 'always' show 'North up' instead of the boats 'bow/direction up'

The SC500 can display Head Up or Track Up in addition to North Up.

 

[Caer Urfa]

The SC500 can display Head Up or Track Up in addition to North Up.

Hi PVB

That's what I wanted to know! as I am informed the Nasa unit 'always' displays 'North up' which must be very confusing at times.

Mike

 

[VicMallows]

Looking at the SmarterChart 500 Chart Plotter / AIS Combo against the Nasa AIS Radar unit.

Make sure you can get on with 'radar type display' ...whether north-up or heading-up. Personally I can't, and would always choose to display the AIS info on a chartplotter of some sort (PC based or dedicated).

If you go with an AIS engine (such as the NASA engine) then there are various programs that will enable you to do either.

Vic

 

[CharlieJ]

You should consider a WatchMate750 or 850. They have both north-up and heading-up. The screens are fast and not tied to the update rate of a plotter.

The NASA-radar isn't waterproof and can only display 24 nearest targets (vs. 200 for WatchMate). Also, the NASA is single channel and won't provide output to a plotter or computer if they ever decide they want one later.

I did a lot of research and chose the WatchMate 850.