Sonar and AIS to 5212

[BaylorU]

Hi Y’all,

Curious if anyone would be willing to share some guidance on the addition of a sonar fish finder and/or AIS (receiver only is fine, but transceiver is better if cost is comparable, which I suspect it wouldn’t be) to the Garmin 5212 MFD.

I currently have (2012 C26) the VHF200 radio, 5212 MFD, and Garmin Autopilot (can’t remember which).

I don’t really see much need to replace the 5212 right now, as it’s perfectly fine. The nice thing is because it’s older technology, I can pick up used add-ons at significant savings. But I could use guidance as to A) what specifically is needed and B) what’s involved with the addition of them.

For example: I currently have the Garmin VHF200, which is a fine radio. However, I could upgrade it to the VHF212 and add AIS reception. My understanding is I could also then display AIS targets on the MFD with the addition of the VHF212? Will I need to add an add’l VHF antenna to achieve such a result?
Furthermore, is swapping out to the VHF212 the only option I have, or can I keep the VHF200 and simply add a black box solution such as the AIS300 (I think that’s what it’s called)? If I were to go that route, would I need another VHF antenna?

With whatever solution I end up with, I’d strongly prefer to avoid adding another antenna if possible.

To add a fishfinder, I’m guessing a simple black box and transducer is all I need? Where in the hull would I want to install said transducer?

Next question: do other brands of components play nice with the 5212? So could I add a Lowrance VHS with AIS, for example, and still achieve the same result as the Garmin VHF with AIS? Same for sonar?

And ONE MORE question, promise it’s the last one....current Garmin software is version 7.80, maps are G2 v2014.5 v16.00. I know I can do some research and figure out if it’s worthwhile to upgrade either, so I’m not asking anyone to do any work or spend more than a moment on this. But if anyone just happens to know off the top of their head, I’d be curious if upgrading either software and/or maps is something worthwhile given where I’m currently at, version-wise.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this, let alone reply! 🙂
Ken

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I looked at this a while back.

if fitted from the factory it would be a GSD22 sonar block box. its under the helm throttle in the cave. this is connected to a pretty standard and reasonably good transducer thats glued to the hull in the forward cabin by the heads. search my posts for photos. this is dual frequency and I can see the bottom down to about 700ft+

to get better sonar you need to replace this black box with a more advanced unit and a new transducer which may require drilling through the hull.
if I was going to trouble of installing this new now, I would absolutely look at a better black box. the interesting thing is that by the time you do this, you are eating some of the cost of a new chart plotter. the new chartplotters with the XSV name all have the latest chirp blackbox built in to the chartplotter saving the cost and space of a dedicated black box.

I also have the 200VHF. I didnt get far on the radio front as the new units require a different size hole in the dash: not a project I needed/wanted to tackle right now.

If I was going AIS, i would probably talk to miltech marine and get a vesper AIS transciever unit plumbed into the NMEA network. this can be installed with a VHF splitter so no new attenna required. saving another hole in the roof.

The other issue with used VHF radios is they have likely had the MMSI set, this cannot be changed. only by the factory and basically costs almost as much as new radio

 

[captstu]

I replaced the Standard Horizon VHF with the same make newer model with built in AIS. Targets show up on Garmin charts, no new antenna required. Flawless


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[ixlr8]

If you are doing AIS receive only, there is no need for a separate antenna, you can use the existing VHF antenna. There are other AIS units that are as good, or better, than the Garmin units and often less expensive.

 

[Martin610]

I installed a digital yacht nucleus AIS last year. Works perfectly with the 5212 I have. This is a class B unit, receives and transmits. Helps ensure commercial traffic can see you. This unit has a splitter to utilize the existing VHF antenna. Supposed to be zero loss. It doesn't seem to affect the radio at all.

I installed the required GPS antenna in the helm electronics locker. To my surprise it works well there.

I can get additional details from AIS that radar doesn't provide. I can tell if a target is fishing vessel, dredge, pleasure boat, etc.