Awesome VHS/AIS

[ROAD Soldier]

Check this out it is cheaper then just a Raymarine AIS and does tons more. Cant wait till it hits the market.
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2009/11/s ... .html#more

[delevi]

Very nice unit. I would seriously consider one for my boat.

[Kelly Hanson East]

My SH is 7 years old ..and my sailing club needs one for the crash boat - seems like a natural Xmas present/tax donation scenario....

[Paul S]

Awesome.

We were in the market for a new vhf on our new 38' boat.

I wonder if there is any downside to having an all in one unit like that.

Also, havng both vhf and ais in the same unit, will it still require a second vhf antenna, or is the unit capable of sharing the same antenna? I assume the data can still be networked out to a regular display unit.

Nice, logical combination of technology.

Insanely good price!!

[Kelly Hanson East]

To summarise thread, uses existing VHF antenna.

(Not a substitute for due diligence, but this was answered by a SH rep on the thread)

[ROAD Soldier]

Everyone keep an eye out for the first store that carries this AIS/VHF. Hopefully before X-mas someone will carry it.

[delevi]

Only downside is the size of the unit would probably require installing below decks. This sort of negates the ability to see AIS data on screen where you need it most.. at the helm. Also would be nice to have the VHF near the helm. Anyone have a bright idea for installation? Got no more room at the ped.

[Hamin' X]

The optional RAM that goes with this unit includes a display screen.

~Rich

[Kelly Hanson East]

It is due out Dec 9 in stores...I bet defender will have it then...

[Paul S]

The optional RAM that goes with this unit includes a display screen.

~Rich

That will rock!

Have the SH quest+ with a RAM on my Mac. Having a RAM with a ais display would be awesome!

[Kelly Hanson East]

Im going to beat you to the first unit in MASS, Paul - thanks to your low taxes.....(can only come from a NYer of course....)

[Paul S]

Im going to beat you to the first unit in MASS, Paul - thanks to your low taxes.....(can only come from a NYer of course....)

Its ok still doing investigation on the broadband radar for the new boat.. can't wait to try that.. get a nice display and vhf/ais.. be all set!

[K9Kampers]

Only downside is the size of the unit would probably require installing below decks. This sort of negates the ability to see AIS data on screen where you need it most.. at the helm. Also would be nice to have the VHF near the helm. Anyone have a bright idea for installation? Got no more room at the ped.

KHE (and others) has done a locker install in the cockpit seatback. A locker like this located within reach of the helm ped would protect the radio. If you use the stock seatback cushion, then a cushion mod would be in order too.

[Kelly Hanson East]

The new Standard Horizon AIS VHF is about 350 USD at Defender, FYI. Havent looked anywhere else. On my possible list for Spring since its a drop in replacement for my old SH.

Im not sure how I will handle getting the screen in a place visible to the helm. Have to think about that one.

New Cockpit locker is a possibility. Right now, since I dont single hand ever, and it has a alarm on closest approach feature, I could mount it in the same place (under stock :macx" fusebox) and assign a Nav to monitor.

Sure would be nice if I the remote would show the AIS screen.....

[c130king]

How often do you really need to look at it? Especially if you are not solo...give the wheel to somebody else and go look at it everynow and then. Ships using AIS are not going to sneak up on you at high speed. And even if you are solo, I think you can take 30 seconds away from the wheel to go give it a look.

I don't really think you need the AIS screen at the helm. Radar, maybe yes, if you use it a lot for navigation. Chartplotter, definitely. But AIS, I think it would be fine in the cabin if that is where you mount the radio.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Cheers,
Jim