Upgrading VHF

[kennharriet]

I currently have an older Standard Horizon VHF with AIS. Since installing it I have added a new Garmin plotter and Garmin autopilot. I want to upgrade the VHF to one capable of NMEA 2000, AIS, DSC and possibly with GPS. My question is should I stick with a proprietary Garmin for compatibility at higher cost or consider another such as Standard Horizon? I do not currently have all Garmin NMEA 2000 connectors. Does that matter? Seems I read somewhere that using all Garmin network components and devices would reduce compatibility issues. Ready to go cruising already.😎 Thanks in advance. Ken

[thataway]

Ken, I have used Standard Horizon products, but Icom (which I have used in ham gear) is equally as good. I consider them a notch above the "Garmin" and "RayMarine". I am not really sure that thinking is valid. I have not seen the specs on the various radios. I believe that the Ranger "Tugs" use all Garmin units. I have known several who use the RayMarine.

If I was up grading, I would want transceiver class B +. AIS. and probably a separate screen. Using the AIS on your navigation screen can get extremely cluttered in any major harbor, where you may need it the most. B+ gives 5 watts or transmit power, it is the same protocol as Class A, and is guaranteed a slot in the time sequence--where as the B is 2 1/2 watts and uses a protocol where the B is just fitted in. Also more frequent updates, depending on speed.

It can be easier to use all Garmin components. The Garmin black box 800 ($900) I believe is class B+, but does require a separate GPS receiver and antenna. I personally feel that you are better served with the separate antenna. The 600 has an antenna splitter. Both are NMEA 2000 protocol.

Consider also the Vespar units which are also NMEA 2000. There are some advantages, such as WI Fi, connection to a tablet. I am not positive about being B+. I would research before buying. The 6000 and 8000 in the lower price range and good units.

Also be sure to check out off brands as found on Amazon which might not be FCC approved.

Keep the old radio as a second transceiver. I believe that all boats which are in either active harbors, straits, or ICW should have two VHF transceivers.

[kennharriet]

Thanks Bob. I’ll digest that and do some research. My other question is should I buy a VHF with GPS or rely on the GPS in the plotter as I presently do?

[thataway]

If you go with a transceiver for the AIS, then that will have a GPS unit or an external antenna. The Standard Horizon which I had on Thataway, had built in GPS. Even my hand held has a GPS, Some of my 2 meter radios have a built in GPS chip in the microphone module.

I would prefer a VHF with built in GPS over one which does not have one. However with NMEA 2000 it does not really make all that much difference.

[Knipet]

[thataway]

Knipet, thanks for jogging my memory--I had forgotten that Garmin had purchased Vespar. Too bad. I hate to say this, but recently I have been disaponted with Garmin. Part was the destruction of Active Captain, and part was what I have been hearing about service. They used to be my #1 choice because of the ease of use. I had RayMarine on my last C Dory, more recently put RayMarine on my CC Caracal Cat. I felt RayMarine's technology offered more that what comparable Garmin did.

[kennharriet]

Appreciate the discussion. I think I will go with the Standard Horizon GX2400. It has AIS receive, NMEA 2000 plug and play and dedicated GPS. After reading this Wagoner article, I don’t think I want AIS transmit capability.😉

https://waggonerguide.com/big-brother-and-ais/

[Hunkydory]

Ken, I went with the Standard Horizon GX2400 & I’m pleased with it & having the AIS from it showing up on my chart plotter. I don’t boat enough in heavy traffic to feel the need to transmit AIS. With already having a nmea 2000 system it should an easy set up as you said.

Jay

[ssobol]

[DayBreak]

Thanks for posting this article. I am glad we have B+ transponder capability for when we are in remote areas of Canada for safety reasons. We continue to strive to be aware of current water restrictions while in travel and in the event that we should violate any of those laws, it serves us right to be notified by the those authorities mentioned.

[kennharriet]

Thanks for the validation Jay. I really like the SH I have now, just wanted the addition of gps and the plug and play NMEA 2000, as everything is now networked. The old one will go to a good home in SE AK where my older plotter went.

[srbaum]

Ken,
I initially went with the Standard Horizon, that received AIS. I didn't find the very small screen on the radio useful, as I am usually in a high traffic area. Using the NEMA 0183, I sent the info to my Gamin chart plotter and was very pleased to see the information overplayed on my charts, as I had a much better reference to locations of the high traffic targets, relative to my location on a chart. I used this for several years. I purchased a transmit/receive AIS and disconnected the input from the VHF AIS and could not be happier. I now know who is coming and they know who I am. We communicate much more freely, between traffic with much more confidence. I found this as such a wonderful safety feature, that I installed one on my sailboat. Much less stress and verbal communications has improved in so many ways, that my stress level, as well as the tugs, ships and large yachts, know what I am and what is happening, well in advance.
In my photos, I posted a typical day of AIS contacts, in my normal boating area.[/img]

[colbysmith]

I started doing a little research on the 2400 in case I want to upgrade my radio again. I'm happy with what I have for now, so...

But in looking around I found this. I don't understand most of it, but I'm sure there are nerds amongst us that will. I share this since it sounds like the driving thought behind getting the new radio here, is for the NMEA 2000 interface.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum/1089958-standard-horizon-gx2400-any-reports-early-adopters-3.html

The thread is several years old, but towards the end there are some June 2022 updates. Colby

[srbaum]

Just updated photos to show a day of boating in Hampton Roads region.

[colbysmith]