AIS transponders W/WIFI for IPAD and Navionics

Roch Speiser

Active Member
Sep 9, 2019
196
Tuckerton NJ
Boat Info
1995 SeaRay 370 Sundancer
Engines
2
Curious if anyone has bought, knows about or installed any of the newer AIS products with WIFI and internal/external GPS (or antenna) that integrates to the Navionics product on my IPAD PRO, used for navigation. I would like to make this addition to my boat. Thanks
 
With the exception of integrating with the Navionics, which I do not know about, I have really been pleased with my Vesper Marine AIS Transponder, purchased in January 2019. It has WiFi so you can see it on your phone or tablet. I'm just not sure of the integration with Navionics. The Vesper has integrated nicely with my new Garmin 8612 xsv.

Vesper is down in New Zealand, and they are very nice to work with for a technical question. I purchased the unit from BOE Marine.

https://www2.vespermarine.com/xb8000-ais-transponder
 
Vesper is a Navionics partner for integration in their ipad app via wifi/vhf. They apparently just launched this integration recently in their app to overlay. Im just trying to find the best solution for my needs including price. Im not off shore but will be on back bay of NJ for the first time. Previous 15 years on Delaware river which was not difficult at all.
 
This may not really answer your question however, the Garmin suite on my boat allows the helm to be viewed and controlled on my Ipad or Iphone through their Active Captain App via Bluetooth. The Garmin AIS800 transponder's information is also completely viewable; On the Ipad, for example, the AIS target can be touched and that vessel's AIS data is displayed. Essentially, the Iphone or Ipad mimics both in view and command the Garmin MFD's
 
Thanks for the ongoing information guys. I currently do not have any other equipment at the helm except for the ipad pro.
 
I currently do not have AIS onboard but I have a new RM a127 and iPod as back up... I boat on Puget sound and adding it is not a huge priority for me, but if there are low cost options out there I'm looking...
 
I have really been pleased with my Vesper Marine AIS Transponder, purchased in January 2019. It has WiFi so you can see it on your phone or tablet. The Vesper has integrated nicely with my new Garmin 8612 xsv.
So just curious ...what is your biggest return on investing in the Vesper?
 
Just ordered the EM-TRAK B924 with wifi/bluetooth and vhf splitter....will integrate with my navionics app, seems to be the low cost option for non-ocean travel like back bays only. Saved a couple hundred bucks from the Vesper
 
So just curious ...what is your biggest return on investing in the Vesper?

1. It can see around corners.
2. I can see them, but more importantly, they can see me and reach out and contact me by name.
3. It helps me sleep well, especially when we travel down to the Norfolk, VA area.
 
1. It can see around corners.
2. I can see them, but more importantly, they can see me and reach out and contact me by name.
3. It helps me sleep well, especially when we travel down to the Norfolk, VA area.
Only if "they" have a transponder also; Other than commercial vessels not many do....
That's why AIS is only another tool in the toolbox.
 
Only if "they" have a transponder also; Other than commercial vessels not many do....
That's why AIS is only another tool in the toolbox.

To be fair, my level of concern about a 20-60 foot vessel is a lot less that a 100-1200 foot commercial freighter/tanker/tug, appearing to be just sitting in the water, and they are actually doing 18-22 knots! They are deceptively quick. The AIS gives me all sorts of information including target bearing, TCPA, and CPA, and Range.
 
I currently do not have AIS onboard but I have a new RM a127 and iPod as back up... I boat on Puget sound and adding it is not a huge priority for me, but if there are low cost options out there I'm looking...

When I upgraded our vhf on the 280 I added a Standard Horizon (2150?) that added the AIS receive only function. I was able to export the data to my mfd that interpreted it and processed proximity warnings. The add on cost for us at the time was pretty high although the premium for the vhf itself was quite small. At the time nmea0183 was the only networking solution and we had already maxed out the simple connection combinations with other stuff so a multiplexer had to be added. That added time and cost. My guess now is that a receive only AIS would be almost no cost if coupled with a vhf purchase.

Ttmott is not completely accurate on the advantages of having a transceiver. The new boat added a transceiver and prior to that I shared the same opinion. What we learned is that besides other vessels, a vessel transmitting AIS can be tracked using apps/websites like MarineTraffic. These allows folks on shore to track your progress moving AIS from being solely a collision avoidance system to a tracking and identifying system. And although not perfect it makes boating safer by making float plans far more effective.

Since the AIS transceiver in many cases is self contained, it could be installed to come on and transmit regardless of the other bridge electronics when the engine(s) are running. In doing the AIS becomes becomes a boating LoJack system.
 
I'm considering doing this exact thing after I got an email last summer from Navionics that said they now offer this with select compatible AIS Transceivers.

Here's their compatibility list: https://d2wb2wm9dm62ai.cloudfront.n...es_plotter/Mobile/Boating_app_AIS_Devices.pdf

I'm looking into the Vesper Watchmate 8000, there's currently a $50 rebate on it through May from Fisheries Supply here in Seattle: https://www.fisheriessupply.com/ves...transponder-nmea-2000-usb-wifi-gps-ant-xb8000

I just need to figure out the mount point on my boat so I can supply the necessary location requirements at order time, it needs to be programmed to your MMSI number before they ship it, and they need that info.

Kevin
 
3E2A6DB0-DB8F-4D1E-B4FC-60277C4D0FB5.jpeg
I'm considering doing this exact thing after I got an email last summer from Navionics that said they now offer this with select compatible AIS Transceivers.

Here's their compatibility list: https://d2wb2wm9dm62ai.cloudfront.n...es_plotter/Mobile/Boating_app_AIS_Devices.pdf

I'm looking into the Vesper Watchmate 8000, there's currently a $50 rebate on it through May from Fisheries Supply here in Seattle: https://www.fisheriessupply.com/ves...transponder-nmea-2000-usb-wifi-gps-ant-xb8000

I just need to figure out the mount point on my boat so I can supply the necessary location requirements at order time, it needs to be programmed to your MMSI number before they ship it, and they need that info.

Kevin
Correct....Thats what I paid for my em-trak b924. They are compatible with navionics software. Im going to look into surface mount on dash with everything gone except the ipad. Still debating that in my head. Helm behind dash pretty filled up with abandoned and existing cables etc etc i removed all the original electronics that didnt work for a fresh look.
 
I did indeed go ahead with the Watchmate 8000 install, and I'm so glad I did. I was returning from a trip to the San Juan islands over the weekend, and with the amount of wildfire smoke and fog in the air, the visibility was less than probably 200 yards when I left. I had my tablet up running Navionics and connected via Wifi to the Vesper, and all commercial traffic, as well as recreational craft with AIS, showed up on it. The cool thing was that I was also visible to others. At one point I was heading towards the main shipping lane in Puget Sound, and a tanker was heading northbound. He must have noticed that I was coming towards the shipping lane, and he hailed me on the VHF (by name even) to give me a warning that he was throwing a large wake and to be prepared for it. That gave me peace of mind that things were safe to proceed.

I highly recommend it!
Kevin
 
Does the transponder also act as a receiver? Trying to figure out what type of integration a transponder would have with Navionics. I’ve seem the setup screens for AIS receiver - so you can see targets on the map.
 
@markrsimon ....short answer Yes. A transponder, by definition is a send and receive device. I have a splitter that lets the Vesper Marine AIS use the VHF antenna to broadcast your AIS info, and receive other's AIS info, as it shares time with the VHF radio. It has its own, dedicated GPS antenna, which it then passes the info on to the NMEA 2000 Network. Then it can be displayed on the chartplotter or where ever you want.

Jaybeaux
 
Jaybeaux - thanks for the info. I was looking at a new VHF with GPS and AIS receiver and was studying up. The transmitter is a bit out of my range though.
 
Save a few bucks on the radio.....get one without AIS receiving capability. Add the Vesper, and you are GOLDEN!
 
Save a few bucks on the radio.....get one without AIS receiving capability. Add the Vesper, and you are GOLDEN!
100% agree with this. Share the VHF antenna with the Vesper, give it its' own GPS receiver (required) and save yourself the expense of having the VHF with built-in AIS/GPS.
 

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