A question for Jon Brooks

nik · 18 September 2009, 12:52

Hi Jon, I have been persuaded down the path of standard horizon and have ordered a gx1500e. I have asked them a question which they dont seem to be able to answer, so I was hoping you may have an answer.
My question to them:

Quote:

Hello, I have been looking at the gx 1500e owners manual. In section
"9.8 position request", it states that if any standard horizon plotter
is connected, the polled boats position can be shown on the plotter.
Is this limited to only standard horizon plotters? I have a garmin 555,
would this function work with the garmin?

The answer:

Quote:

In theory it should work, as the data sent from the radio is simply a
NMEA data plot position, and the plotter should display it on the
screen. However it does depend on how the Garmin 555 handles the
sentences. You will need to ask Garmin if their units can handle NMEA
position plots.

I am a little surprised that they should know so little about their competitors products.
Any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nick

Chris · 18 September 2009, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Hi Jon, I have been persuaded down the path of standard horizon and have ordered a gx1500e. I have asked them a question which they dont seem to be able to answer, so I was hoping you may have an answer.
My question to them:
The answer:
I am a little surprised that they should know so little about their competitors products.
Any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nick

I use the SH1500 and get polling info displayed on my Lowrance, you should be fine.

MikeCC · 18 September 2009, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

I am a little surprised that they should know so little about their competitors products.

Bit of a tricky one really - it's more of a question for Garmin than Standard Horizon but the feature relies on NMEA/DSC working correctly on both units.

The Garmin 555 has a 'DSC' port setting and you also need to enable DSC under Configure->other boats. A position request to another vessel should produce a position report that the 555 should be able to display.

It has to be said, the Garmin manual isn't crystal clear on this - it gives the settings but doesn't make it obvious what they do! The equivalent section in the new 451/551 manuals is a lot better.

Considering how easy it is, for example, to set up a PC network these days, it's remarkable that NMEA 0183 cabling and communication has never been 100% (and probably never will be with NMEA 2000 now getting going).

Jon Brooks · 30 September 2009, 09:59

Any plotter than can handle incoming NMEA/DSC info will work with the SH radio's.
Most Garmin units will. In the menu of the Garmin units it has a DSC tab and I have used them with Garmin so know it does work.

And no comment on not knowing what does and does not work with your kit. That is down to the person you spoke to. It is the same for all companies, some will know some wont.

Cheers

David G · 30 September 2009, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeCC

It has to be said, the Garmin manual isn't crystal clear on this - it gives the settings but doesn't make it obvious what they do! The equivalent section in the new 451/551 manuals is a lot better.

Hi,
Sorry to thread hi-jack.

Other than a 'better manual' what else has changed between the 550 and 551?

Has the price come down?

Orve

MikeCC · 01 October 2009, 00:05

No, 551 price is slightly more generally than 550. Some discounted 550's still around (just).

The graphics have been improved - scrolling/zoom is noticeably zippier.

Also, for anyone that needs it, there's now an NMEA 2000 port for connecting to other gizmos eg fancy transducers.

Errr . . . that's it (but I stand to be corrected)

nik · 01 October 2009, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

And no comment on not knowing what does and does not work with your kit. That is down to the person you spoke to. It is the same for all companies, some will know some wont.

Cheers

I have since spoken to garmin about this and they didnt seem to know either, erring towards probably not.
Hopefully I will have it fitted today, is there an easy to test it?, bearing in mind it would be a distress call.

Nick.

Jon Brooks · 04 October 2009, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

I have since spoken to garmin about this and they didnt seem to know either, erring towards probably not.
Hopefully I will have it fitted today, is there an easy to test it?, bearing in mind it would be a distress call.

Nick.

It will work with a position request as well. So you need to find another vessel with a dsc radio, send them a "position request" when they acknowledge it will pop up on the plotter

Cheers