Vesper xb8000

[Scotty Mac]

I'm looking at the Vesper xb8000 for an AIS system. I like this unit because it has wifi capability and a anchor alarm that dosn't require chart plotter to be powered on.
So for any of you who have installed this;
1. Does it work well with the Garman chartplotter? I have a 7215 chartplotter.
2. Will the wifi connection allow chartploter update via wifi as our current doesn't have wifi.
3. What do you think of the over all performance.

Big expense for me, but seems well worth it if it works as well as described.
Thanks

Scott

 

[knotflying]

Hi Scott,

Some people will disagree with me, but here is my opinion. I have a 5212, similar to yours. I bought the Garmin 300 AIS, which is receive only. Here is why, not everyone is required to have AIS so you are never going to receive a signal from the multitude of vessels not transmitting nor receiving your signal. Hence a false sense of security. When on the river systems, out east, receiving a signal from all the barge tows is a great asset, you know who they are and where they are going and they are appreciative when you contact them and ask them where they want you to be. The same holds true when we were cruising in the Pacific Northwest for ferries or cruising busy commercial areas on the east coast. All other times I turn my AIS off since it is more of an annoyance because all of the non-commercial vessels leave theirs on while docked and you get nuisance alarms regularly. Not until everyone is required to use AIS will I see the merits of safety. Until then receive only has worked just fine for me.
The Garmin unit was plug and play with no additional antenna or gps antenna. I also doubt that the vesper with wifi will allow access to your Garmin unit. I may not have answered your original question, but perhaps have given you some insight on what to consider.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Thanks for your insight. Have not has AIS in past boats but we are planning a run to Bahamas and a lot of busy east coast ports in between. Figured it would come in handy.
Scott

 

[Thorolson]

Scott,

We recently installed Vesper xb 8000. Overall, very happy with unit. Interfaces well with our 5212. Easy install. Pretty much plug and play... We installed the GPS antenna behind the MFD inside the boat. No problem. Also installed audible alarm and on/off switch incase we don’t want to be “seen”. Wifi interfaces well with both iphone and ipad for anchor alarm function and setup. We purchased ours thru Defender.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I heard two seperate commercial vessels on Sunday say thank you on channel 16 to two pleasure craft for transmitting ais with a boat name as it made it easier to communicate with them to clarify the commercial boats intentions in the busy water way of Puget sound.

Certainly got my attention and the vesper 8000 is now on my list of future projects

 

[macnmm]

I also just replaced my AIS 300 with the xb8000. I think it performs well and I find I am having to give way to others much less frequently (following ColRegs of course), now that they see my course and speed on their plotters, presumably.

Its Wifi interface does not allow Garmin mobile apps to connect to the Garmin plotter, the only disappointing aspect. It has its own app that you use to set alarms and such and its feature of a low amp draw anchor alarm is great. But, no way to use my Garmin apps together with the plotter for course input or screen mirroring or upgrades or active captain. For that my plotter requires the Garmin WiFi which is not sold anymore. Garmin says just buy another WiFi enabled plotter... right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[knotflying]

Thanks for your insight. Have not has AIS in past boats but we are planning a run to Bahamas and a lot of busy east coast ports in between. Figured it would come in handy.
Scott

Interestingly, once we started east to the Bahamas we passed one commercial vessel and saw no pleasure craft. As far as anchor alarm goes , there are several apps available for the iphone and others. I would say the phone probably uses less power than the vesper.

 

[quinsky]

I installed the Vesper xb6000(no wifi) on my boat. As others have said, it worked well with the 5212. I think it makes communicating with other vessels (that have AIS) a lot easier and it does give me a little more peace of mind. I live on the east coast and travel the ICW a lot.