MacGregorSailors.com

This is looking better and better. Question on antena: What kind, how much to spend? They range from $50 to $450. The unit is rated for 80DB but even the high-price antenas aren't rated for that. I don't know anything about this stuff... still use a hand-held VHF, so I'm sure I'm missing something here. I would mount the antena on the stern rail of the stern rail seat. Electric wind wave on the masthead, so not an option there. Also, anyone know anything about the loud haler/fog thingie? THX.

Leon

Ill bet Rich can chime in on the antenna. I thought it would used a 'standard' VHF antenna for both VHF an AIS but I would research this before pulling trigger.

WM has 50 USD back on >300 USD purchase, but they dont list this VHF in their catalog online yet....with a list of 399, Defender at 329, Im guessing WM -50 USD might be competitive.

326.79 at defender at the moment. Pretty good deal!

Don't tell anyone where you heard this, but WM will match Defender's pricing. But...Maybe not the pricing that changes from its listed price when you put it in your basket. $50 discount may or may not be combined with a price match... depends how well you know your friendly WM staff. At my local WM, all the employees know me by name as soon as I walk in the door. I guess it's a statement about spending a bit too much time and money at that place. They don't carry the GX2100 yet, but I'm not in a big hurry. My birthday isn't for two months

Sorry, Ive been gone for a couple of weeks. Any VHF Marine antenna will work just fine. No special requirements. All of the splitting between AIS and VHF functions are handled internally. Don't know about the hailer functions.

~Rich

TNX and 73, Rich

wonder if there is any downside to using an all in one unit like this, instead of a stand alone AIS unit?

This item truely seems too good to be true. Lower cost than ANY AIS unit, fewer antennas, easy install, compact.

What is the downside?

I had a chance to view this Standard AIS/VHF transceiver in person @ the NYC Boat Show this past sunday. As explained to Me, by the Standard Guru @ the show " Software Versions" being shipped now ...are Ver 1.0 ! So You can expect lots of updates to the AIS Stuff, as Retail progresses.
My Observations: The AIS Radio is Nice Size....Colors Black or White, and Remote Head , can see the AIS info.... on Remote... Not entirly sure if that applies to Wireless Wham as well.

My Question to the "Standard" rep... "What advantage, and What Would I see?" if My Chartplotter or Older GPS COULD NOT understand the New Nmea AIS Sentances being transmitted from the AIS VHF Radio, and I would Just read the Front Panel of the AIS Radio

He Show'd Me just block info, With the Passing Crafts in a Human Readable List
Somethink Like :
MMSI : 265547250
Latitude : 57.660353°
Longitude : 11.832977°
Speed : 13.9 knots
Heading : 41°
Course over ground : 40°
Rate of turn : -2°/min
Navigational status: 0

I think it's a Great Product, to startout with in AIS, But for My needs, Would want it to show a Full graphic View on a Chartplotter, of the immediate craft within a designated distance s and detailed direction info.
I Guess , I will just have to save My money for Now...

Doesn't the graphic display of the unit eliminate the necessity for gps overlay? I guess it's a small screen, especially on the remote mic, but I'm hoping enough to do the job... alert you of any danger of collision. Plus you can set alarms for any potential collision course. As I understand it, the unit can get gps info over NMEA from any gps unit. Ability to receive info, however, as in an AIS overlay on your plotter's screen would only be possible if the gps unit has that capability. Unfortunately, my 1-year-old Raymarine A60 doesn't have this capability

Leon

The graphic display is small, and For Old Guys like Me, who wear progressive lenses / Readers and distance glasses in one...That might be a problem, as I could just picture Myself Zoning in on a block of coordinates to figure when a freighter is going to cut Me in two
Leon. I have the same senario as You... A60, to Raymarine Autopilot S1g, using Cheap Raymarine Wind Chicken ...
So My Next rig will be somthing like Newer A50, A57, or better Yet A70, with AIS Module..Raymarine.
I Think , You should go for the Standard Horizon AIS Unit, as then you will have a Solid VHF Radio in addition to Your handheld, and You can transition into AIS technolgy...Smart move for your sailing area.
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Regards
Jack