Garmin AIS 600

[rheimb1]

I’m looking for a Garmin AIS 600 compatible with a Garmin 7212. Preferably a complete unit including the power cable, NMEA 2000 cable, and GPS antenna if needed. I’m thinking the unit must either have a clean/unprogrammed MMSI or be resettable for a new owner. If anyone has one sitting in a drawer after upgrading systems, let me know.

 

[Mastercraft]

I would bite the bullet and buy a new AIS800, not a 600.
I installed an AIS800 plug n play into a 2017 R29. My boat has VHF 200 radio and Garmin 7612. Did not have to find backbone. Used existing wire from backbone. Correct connectors are supplied with AIS800. Needed a right angle drill to mount AIS800 since hole pattern difference. I bought cheapest ais800 I found on internet, only $800, free shipping and maybe no tax. It was hell dealing with them to get the MMSI programmed. It was NVN marine. I don't see the ais800 on their web site. I had to call Garmin after hookup to get my purple gps path to show. It was just an option in plotter to change.
Stan

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I have the GPSMap 5215 so I went with the AIS 600 in 2019. I was advised by Garmin that the 800 would probably become incompatible as the firmware is upgraded. If the GPSMap 7212 is compatible with the AIS 800, I would go with that for sure. The 800 has an internal antenna.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I have the GPSMap 5215 so I went with the AIS 600 in 2019. I was advised by Garmin that the 800 would probably become incompatible as the firmware is upgraded.

I had an AIS 800 installed in my 2012 R27 last November. It worked fine with my Garmin 5212 when installed. The boat was stored indoors until a few weeks ago when I moved it on its trailer to an outdoor boat storage yard and ramp just off the Ohio River. So far, it has displayed AIS targets on the river as far as seven miles away.

Tomorrow, I plan to put the boat in the water and cruise it 10 miles upriver to my marina slip. I’ll post how it works.

 

[rheimb1]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I did some additional digging and noticed the AIS 800 compatibility page does not list the GPSMAP 7212. Bob mentioned Garmin had advised him that future compatibility between newer AIS units and older plotters could become an issue, which got my attention.

Before I spend $1,100 on a new AIS 800, I'm going to call Garmin and verify exactly what is officially supported with the 7212 and whether there are any long-term compatibility concerns. If the AIS 800 is fully supported, I'll certainly consider it. If not, a used AIS 600 may make more sense since it was designed during the same era as the 7212.

I appreciate all the information. You've given me more to think about than just opening my wallet and hoping for the best.

 

[rheimb1]

After looking further into it, I found that Garmin specifically lists the GPSMAP 7xxx series, which includes my 7212, as compatible with the AIS 600. However, I have not found the 7212 listed on Garmin's AIS 800 compatibility page.

Bob's comment about future compatibility between newer AIS units and older plotters also gave me something to think about. Before spending $1,100 plus tax on an AIS 800, I contacted Garmin and was told it "may" work with the 7212, but they could not confirm it is officially supported. That makes me a little hesitant to spend that kind of money.

For now, I'm going to continue looking for a clean AIS 600 since it was designed during the same era as the 7212 and is known to be compatible. If anyone has a complete AIS 600 with cables and a resettable or unprogrammed MMSI that they'd like to sell, please let me know. And yes my current system is NMEA 2000.

Thanks again for all the help. For a retired guy, it seems hard to justify spending $1,100 on a "maybe" when the difference could be put toward diesel, crab bait, and a respectable gin ration.

 

[calcman05]

I have a Garmin 7212 and 7215 on my 2014 R31 and just upgraded from ais 300 to ais 800 myself a few months ago. It was generally plug and play and both garmins have accepted and work with the ais 800 flawlessly. See attached photo.

 

[rheimb1]

I have a Garmin 7212 and 7215 on my 2014 R31 and just upgraded from ais 300 to ais 800 myself a few months ago. It was generally plug and play and both garmins have accepted and work with the ais 800 flawlessly. See attached photo.

Well that's interesting Calcman. I looked at the GPS store online and they list one for 864. Are they reputable?

Now I have to ask myself: would I rather spend $300 or less for a used AIS 600 or $900 for a new AIS 800 to accomplish essentially the same thing? I think that's the real question. If I understand it correctly, both units receive AIS targets and transmit my boat's name, MMSI, speed, position, and direction.

The AIS 600 requires:
• GPS puck
• VHF antenna connection which connects to the vhs antenna?
• Antenna splitter
• So the above requires a little more wiring
• Probably little or no future support

The AIS 800 appears to do essentially the same job, but with:
• Internal GPS
• Built-in antenna splitter
• Cleaner installation
• Less wiring
• Current production hardware

Am I missing anything significant in terms of actual on-the-water performance, range, target acquisition, reliability, or functionality? Or is the primary difference simply installation convenience and newer hardware?

Thanks again. This discussion has been very helpful.

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Rod,

I also have added the AIS800 with a 7212 on our 2014 R27. Plug and play (from the AIS 300 except mounting holes) and works just fine. I was told the reason the 7212 was not listed in the compatibility table is because the 7212 is no longer supported and was likely not tested for compatibility. Not tested does not mean not compatible, just that they haven’t checked that every feature works. I have not found any missing features. Good luck!

Curt

 

[calcman05]

Also a difference in size, weight, transmit power, and reporting interval frequency. The 800 is better in each of these areas.