Minimally Invasive Chartplotter Addition?

[Countdemonet]

So my '03 Sundancer 320 has the typical factory installed Raymarine stuff (I assume interconnected by Seatalk1). I'm wanting to replace the old GPS plotter (no cartography) with a Garmin 943xsv. The specs say it will feed out NMEA183. My ST7001 autopilot controller will accept NMEA183. This looks like a one cable data hookup. Can it be that simple?

Also, as an aside, what are the chances that the navigation data received on the autopilot NMEA183 input will be shared out to other instruments via its and their Seatalk connections?

I have no other electronics upgrade plans for this boat. Thanks!

 

[Skybolt]

So my '03 Sundancer 320 has the typical factory installed Raymarine stuff (I assume interconnected by Seatalk1). I'm wanting to replace the old GPS plotter (no cartography) with a Garmin 943xsv. The specs say it will feed out NMEA183. My ST7001 autopilot controller will accept NMEA183. This looks like a one cable data hookup. Can it be that simple?

Also, as an aside, what are the chances that the navigation data received on the autopilot NMEA183 input will be shared out to other instruments via its and their Seatalk connections?

I have no other electronics upgrade plans for this boat. Thanks!

So to connect the Garmin to the auto pilot is that simple, 0183 out to 0183 in and your done. To get it it the rest of the network is not. You need to get an 0183 to SeaTalk interface setup. Be careful in selecting, most just convert to SeaTalkNG. Actisense has a few to choose from.

Pretty much everything these days is converting 0183 to N2K (nmea 2000). Hard to find SeaTalk to 0183.

 

[Countdemonet]

Thanks SKybolt. I'm picking up a little confidence to go forward.

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks SKybolt. I'm picking up a little confidence to go forward.

Adding the connection for the autopilot is a piece of cake. If I remember correctly you need to turn off Waypoint names to get the goto and rout too, to work correctly. That is a setting in the Garmin under nmea 0183 sentences.

Just make sure it's nmea0183 to nmea 0183, and not seatalk. There are subtle differences between the nav data parameters.

 

[Countdemonet]

Got it. Thanks!