AIS Tranceiver

[Impulsivité]

We just took delivery of our R29cb in December and I’m looking to add an AIS transceiver. The problem is I’m not great at figuring out what I need to do. I’ve seen the Garmin AIS 800 which seems like the easiest solution but have seen several people go with the Vesper XB-8000.

Curious if folks have an opinion either way and the level of difficulty to install. Most of my projects successes are measured by how many four letter words are used during the project (lowest number to date is about 60 for a 3 hour project)

We’re not expected to get our CG documentation for another 4 months or so, so have a little time.

Thank you


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[Full_O_Fish]

When it comes to AIS there's not much reason to be partial to any one brand as they all communicate over nmea2000 and nmea0183 for displaying on modern plotters from any manufacturer.

If you plan to operate not only the factory electronic equipment but also an iPad/tablet for navigation, then I would recommend a product such as the Em-Trak B954 which has a built in antenna splitter for easy installation, but also has built in Bluetooth/wifi. As such a tablet can connect to it and applications such as Navionics can utilize the data and plot AIS vessels just like the factory equipment.

 

[Submariner]

When it comes to AIS there's not much reason to be partial to any one brand as they all communicate over nmea2000 and nmea0183 for displaying on modern plotters from any manufacturer.

If you plan to operate not only the factory electronic equipment but also an iPad/tablet for navigation, then I would recommend a product such as the Em-Trak B954 which has a built in antenna splitter for easy installation, but also has built in Bluetooth/wifi. As such a tablet can connect to it and applications such as Navionics can utilize the data and plot AIS vessels just like the factory equipment.

There is one feature that I like in AIS that not all manufactures have. An anchor drag alarm in the AIS unit. Vesper XB-8000 and the Cortex both have that option. I wish more would include this as I use it a lot on my boat. (I have a Vesoer XB-8000).


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[Rocky]

When I added my AIS800, the Vesper units weren't available - or at least I didn't know about them.

The Vesper has features that are simply more advanced - Like Martins reference to the Anchor Drag alarm.

If I was doing it again, The Vesper is my choice.

If you only want "basic,pure AIS, The Garmin works fine,,,,, But for the difference in money vs features, I would go to the Vesper.

My 2 cents.

Rocky

 

[Submariner]

When it comes to AIS there's not much reason to be partial to any one brand as they all communicate over nmea2000 and nmea0183 for displaying on modern plotters from any manufacturer.

There's another feature that I often use which is available on other AIS units... But usually only the ones that have WIFI connectivity to them.

I can bring up my iPhone or iPad, connect via WIFI to the AIS device, bring up Navionics and I will see AIS targets in Navionics. I looked at em-trac and I believe they offer this feature on their units that have WIFI connectivity to them.

(My Vesper XB-8000 and Cortex both offer this feature).

 

[Impulsivité]

Have any of you had to upgrade the vhf antenna when doing this? Also curious if it’s worth while to install an external gps antenna or if the one in the garmin works just fine.

Thank you


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[watson1987]

My Garmin 800 did not need an external GPS receiver to work. I also did not install a bigger or separate VHF antenna and relied on the built-in switcher and daisy chain to my radio

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Most transceivers will work just fine with the standard 6dB vhf antenna from the factory even though it isn't optimized for the higher frequency band of AIS. On used vessels where the antenna may have been replaced at some point in the past (as mine was) I would highly recommend getting a new antenna such as the galaxy 5225-xt-ais which is optimized across the whole range of frequencies netting an improvement in both reception and transmission range. The other benefit is reducing/eliminating connections if previous antennas were sliced in which causes significant loss.

As others stated the internal Gps of modern units is typically more than sufficient for the system to operate properly.

 

[Brian John]

We just took delivery of our R29cb in December and I’m looking to add an AIS transceiver. The problem is I’m not great at figuring out what I need to do. I’ve seen the Garmin AIS 800 which seems like the easiest solution but have seen several people go with the Vesper XB-8000.

Curious if folks have an opinion either way and the level of difficulty to install. Most of my projects successes are measured by how many four letter words are used during the project (lowest number to date is about 60 for a 3 hour project)

We’re not expected to get our CG documentation for another 4 months or so, so have a little time.

Thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I judge the difficulty of my projects by the number of trips to West Marine, Marina, and hardware store,

 

[Toucan]

I installed the Vesper XB8000 unit in our boat for several reasons:
The Vesper app on my phone displays a location map and list of targets with information including range and speed of other vessels. I can still look at the navigation information on the chart plotter without the chart information being replaced by AIS information.
The Vesper units software prioritizes the targets in terms of which ones to worry about most. The Garmin chart plotter is mainly concerned with alerting me to targets that are closest to me, even past me or stationary, like in marinas.
The Vesper unit makes the info on the NEMA 2k platform available to my iPhone by bluetooth.
An AIS transponder is required to have its own GPS receiver. I set the Vesper GPS unit in the cubby above the helm wedged in place between the bottom of the cubby and the overhead. Wires go down the side of a windshield panel to the wiring compartment behind the helm.
I put a toggle switch on the dashboard to turn transmit off when I want to be in stealth mode, like if I am fudging in a 5 mph speed limit zone, or if I am using the MFD to do route planning when not underway.

All the electrical connections were simple and straight forward. I am very satisfied with my choice.

The XB8000 has been discontinued since Garmin bought Vesper but new or used units may be available.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[Fishmagnet]

XB 8000 Install was fairly easy, just tedious. I used the existing VHF antenna with a splitter and a dedicated Vesper GPS receiver. For the anchor drag alarm, I installed the acknowledge button on the dash but disconnected the light for it because it was too bright at night. The anchor drag alarm will also sound due to a low voltage condition, which is good. Make sure you have an available spot on your NEMA bus to plug it in. We use the Vesper Watchmate app a lot while underway, especially on our trip up the inside passage where we wanted to get details on the bigger vessels in the area. You can also see AIS vessels displayed on the Navionics boating app when connected to the Garmin chartplotter Wifi. Our boat is a 2021 R27 named Sandhaven.


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[Gin]

The Vesper XB8000 (now discontinued as noted by Barry) was and still is a rock solid AIS transponder. It was the hands down favorite for the nerdy tech guys at the local marine electronics shop where they sell a wide range of brands. It did require the additional purchase of an antenna splitter, though. If you can get your hands on the XB8000 and a splitter, it is worth considering, despite being discontinued.

The Cortex is a worthy successor. I upgraded to it and sold my XB8000 to a friend. I'm a fan of both. I've had some durability issues with optional Cortex VHF handset, though. The functionality of the handset is great, but given it's high price, the durability problem--which relates to the transmit button wearing out--is a possible big downside. Might depend on how much you actively transmit on VHF (I'm a heavy user during coordinated cruises that I do several times a year).

The Cortex can be purchased without the handset, though, which gives you all the AIS functionality and future VHF if you later want to add the handset. The Cortex communicates well with a tablet and smartphone through the app, as well as nav software running on a table or computer. And of course, it works with your chart plotter through NMEA 2000. If you are considering the Cortex (with or without the VHF handset), check out Miltech Marine. They're a good source for AIS generally. And right now, they have an attractive discount on the Cortex (https://www.milltechmarine.com/ais-transponders-with-built-in-splitter.html.

Gini

 

[RWHenhouse]

I just finished installing a Vesper Cortex that I purchased from https://www.milltechmarine.com/ais-tran ... itter.html. The installation was fairly straight forward. I decided to install the included Vesper GPS antenna on the top of the antennae mast. The toughest part of the install was routing the cable down the mast, through the gland, across the cabin roof, down the pillar, and then behind the refrigerator to behind the helm. There are lots of terminals on the existing fuse blocks behind the helm to tie in and add another fuse. Your just remove the VHF coax from the existing radio (Garmin VHF 215 in my case), attached it to the Cortex and run the included coax from the built in splitter back to the existing VHF radio. My NMEA 2000 backbone was getting pretty long, so I removed 3 "T's" and replaced it with a 4 outlet unit that is actually shorter. I haven't bothered installing an exterior speaker or exterior cell antenna yet. I didn't purchase a handset to use the Cortex as a VHF transceiver as I am satisfied with the Garmin 215.

It works great. My Garmin 8616xsv recognized it immediately. The Cortex app allows you toggle to "stealth mode" from the app, as well as lots of diagnostics and the anchor watch feature. One recurring problem I had with the boat since purchase was that the Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot constantly failed, showing a "speed source fault". Since I have selected the Cortex as my GPS source for the autopilot, that problem has never reoccurred. The app shows the the GPS accuracy as being 0.10m - like 4 inches. Incredible! One thing you have to do it toggle "OFF" the AIS on your existing unit (the Garmin 300 I have is just part of the VHF 215 radio) or it will look like you are following yourself on your plotter. I'm very happy with the unit. Just do it.

Rory

 

[Gin]

I did not tackle the task of routing my Cortex GPS cable the way Rory admirably did. I discovered that the antenna works very well for me from inside the cabin structure. I tucked it into the cubby storage area on the R31 above the passenger helm. I was able to route the cable behind the upper helm structure and down the post to the left of the helm door, and from there into the area behind the helm. Other models might have other interior locations where the GPS will work. I tested the signal, for example, from under the gunnel in the back cockpit, and it worked well there too.

But the way Rory placed the GPS antenna and routed the cable is definitely optimal. Rory, I’ve PM’d you asking more about what was involved in dismantling the interior so that you could route the cable that way. I may want to do that someday, more for another item or two I might add to the mast than for the GPS. But if I were at it anyway, I’d probably reroute the GPS cable as well.

Gini

 

[No Slack]

I had a Vesper XB8000 installed last summer. It is not transmitting my signal. Any recommendations on an expert in Tacoma or the South Sound to check it.

 

[Impulsivité]

I did not tackle the task of routing my Cortex GPS cable the way Rory admirably did. I discovered that the antenna works very well for me from inside the cabin structure. I tucked it into the cubby storage area on the R31 above the passenger helm. I was able to route the cable behind the upper helm structure and down the post to the left of the helm door, and from there into the area behind the helm. Other models might have other interior locations where the GPS will work. I tested the signal, for example, from under the gunnel in the back cockpit, and it worked well there too.

But the way Rory placed the GPS antenna and routed the cable is definitely optimal. Rory, I’ve PM’d you asking more about what was involved in dismantling the interior so that you could route the cable that way. I may want to do that someday, more for another item or two I might add to the mast than for the GPS. But if I were at it anyway, I’d probably reroute the GPS cable as well.

Gini

I’d be curious what you learned here. I saw the video Martin did that involved drilling, caulking, and all that stuff which is beyond my comfort level. I did order the cortex unit today since we just got our documentation and station license.


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[Brian John]

I had a Vesper XB8000 installed last summer. It is not transmitting my signal. Any recommendations on an expert in Tacoma or the South Sound to check it.

My Vesper 8000 was not transmitting after installation I called Garmin and it seems they forgot to complete the programming on their end. It took about 4 hours to get on the phone with a live tech, I called them as soon as they opened I left a callback number they said they would call back at a specific time and they did.

 

[RWHenhouse]

I did not tackle the task of routing my Cortex GPS cable the way Rory admirably did. I discovered that the antenna works very well for me from inside the cabin structure. I tucked it into the cubby storage area on the R31 above the passenger helm. I was able to route the cable behind the upper helm structure and down the post to the left of the helm door, and from there into the area behind the helm. Other models might have other interior locations where the GPS will work. I tested the signal, for example, from under the gunnel in the back cockpit, and it worked well there too.

But the way Rory placed the GPS antenna and routed the cable is definitely optimal. Rory, I’ve PM’d you asking more about what was involved in dismantling the interior so that you could route the cable that way. I may want to do that someday, more for another item or two I might add to the mast than for the GPS. But if I were at it anyway, I’d probably reroute the GPS cable as well.

Gini

I’d be curious what you learned here. I saw the video Martin did that involved drilling, caulking, and all that stuff which is beyond my comfort level. I did order the cortex unit today since we just got our documentation and station license.

Martin's installation was for an antenna with 7 cables - so he needed to install a much larger "gland" to route them through the exterior roof. I was able to squeeze the single coax it into the existing gland.

I had read many threads that indicated the internal GPS antenna "worked fine", but the way my AP acted up I decided it must not be optimal. Some days it would be okay, other days it would not hold a course at all. "SPEED SOURCE FAULT". So I decided to spend some time and do the best I could.

I put the GPS antenna on the bracket (#8) where the XM/Weather antenna would go if I had one. Down the mast, out at the bottom, and into the interior of the boat through the same gland as the rest of the antenna mast cabling.

Inside, first remove the curtain rails and the teak boxes they are screwed into on both sides forward of the 2 teak pillars (the upright boxes between the windows with the shelves and lights). Then remove the 4 screws holding the vertical teak behind the "cubby" that runs across the boat . Tilt the top ahead and you can wiggle it out of there. Then you have access to the 3-4” between the fiberglass exterior and inner roof panel. Locate and fish out the end of the new cable and push it down the starboard pillar with a fish tape. Another route would be along the roofline to the front, then down the window pillar. I couldn't figure out how to take the window pillar off so I elected to go behind the refrigerator, which I had out a couple of times previously to work on the Webasto and wanted to upgrade anyway.

Remove the door and hardware from the refrigerator, remove the 4 screws on the front securing it, slide it straight ahead and out, then ahead and out of the way. No need to disconnect any wiring, lots of length for this. Crawl in, locate the end of your cable and route it ahead to behind the helm if that's your destination. The refrigerator is installed in a precarious manner. The whole thing is hanging on the front fiberglass lip. The back and the compressor are just hanging in space. And the heavy part is the compressor. So the top of the refrigerator is fine, but the bottom is always going to be trying to “kick out” due to the turning moment of the refrigerator. And just 2 wood screws in fiberglass preventing this. Just a matter of time before they strip out IMO. While I had it out I I built a couple of rails with 2 X 2's and blocked them up so that the fridge sits flush in the front when slid it, makes it much easier to get the refrigerator in and out. With the Webasto in there I can see myself needing to get at that many more times over the years.

So nothing technically challenging, just time consuming. Note that this was in a RT31CB.

Rory

 

[GypsyMoth]

I had a Vesper XB8000 installed last summer. It is not transmitting my signal. Any recommendations on an expert in Tacoma or the South Sound to check it.

My Vesper 8000 was not transmitting after installation I called Garmin and it seems they forgot to complete the programming on their end. It took about 4 hours to get on the phone with a live tech, I called them as soon as they opened I left a callback number they said they would call back at a specific time and they did.

I had the factory install my Vesper XB8000 before I had the boat delivered back in December 2020. Lost both AIS transmit and receive about 2 months ago, turns out the cable out of the Vesper to the VHS splitter had become disconnected. Reattached and all was fine.

Ranger mounted the Vesper GPS antenna to the top of the 'stack', when they shrink wrapped the boat for shipment the GPS antenna mount broke. This (and a few other issues that occurred during shipping) were addressed by Ranger- great customer support! Just mentioning so anyone considering this antenna mounting location can learn from my experience.

 

[Submariner]

Mounting a GPS antenna inside the stack works well also. Nothing is exposed outside the boat, and no exterior holes need to be drilled.

https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/boat-upgrades/gps-receiver