I just installed a new Garmin AIS 600 on the boat last night. What an easy install that was! Everything should go as well.
The box is pretty much stand alone and arrives all programmed. You just connect power, plug it into the N2K backbone and hook it into your VHF antenna. It runs inline between your VHF and the antenna so there's no need for a dedicated antenna. The VHF doesn't even know it's there.
I only had a few minutes to play with it last night, but even under the tin roofs of our boat sheds, but when I got home I was able to look myself up on the computer so I am transmitting OK. While I was down there I was able to track the Mukilteo to Clinton ferries and watched several tugs moving barges around. The collision alarms all played together nicely and I could see the MARPA targets on the Radar screen as well. Pretty cool gizmo. I'll have to leave it on so I share where we're at online.
Not sure if any of you have been to Ship Finder since they revamped it, but it's pretty cool. You can open up a target and turn on trails and it'll show you where a vessel has been. Pretty cool to see how boats like the Victoria Clipper choose their courses.
I'll get some pics once I get everything tucked away and panels back in place. Pretty cool toy overall though.
Also... I purchased from www.starmarinedepot.com and their service was AMAZING. They are a pure drop shipper, but I ordered it at 11:30 Tuesday morning, sent the fax to have it programmed at 1:00, they had a label printed at 1:34 and it was here the next day at 2:30 for $9.95 shipping! They beat everyone else's price by at least $80 and had it in stock, so I was pleasantly surprised. I used www.GPSCity.com for the autopilot, but they were a two week special order and more expensive there. Both were really good experiences though so I thought I'd share.
The box is pretty much stand alone and arrives all programmed. You just connect power, plug it into the N2K backbone and hook it into your VHF antenna. It runs inline between your VHF and the antenna so there's no need for a dedicated antenna. The VHF doesn't even know it's there.
I only had a few minutes to play with it last night, but even under the tin roofs of our boat sheds, but when I got home I was able to look myself up on the computer so I am transmitting OK. While I was down there I was able to track the Mukilteo to Clinton ferries and watched several tugs moving barges around. The collision alarms all played together nicely and I could see the MARPA targets on the Radar screen as well. Pretty cool gizmo. I'll have to leave it on so I share where we're at online.
Not sure if any of you have been to Ship Finder since they revamped it, but it's pretty cool. You can open up a target and turn on trails and it'll show you where a vessel has been. Pretty cool to see how boats like the Victoria Clipper choose their courses.
I'll get some pics once I get everything tucked away and panels back in place. Pretty cool toy overall though.
Also... I purchased from www.starmarinedepot.com and their service was AMAZING. They are a pure drop shipper, but I ordered it at 11:30 Tuesday morning, sent the fax to have it programmed at 1:00, they had a label printed at 1:34 and it was here the next day at 2:30 for $9.95 shipping! They beat everyone else's price by at least $80 and had it in stock, so I was pleasantly surprised. I used www.GPSCity.com for the autopilot, but they were a two week special order and more expensive there. Both were really good experiences though so I thought I'd share.
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