Garmin AIS 600 transponder

[redthunder]

As any odd got one of these need to buy a transponder for channel crossings. I have a Garmin 750 to plug into so think this is the best option although not the cheapest. Opinions ?

[Erin]

See Copinsays recent thread about transponders. I've got a Digital Yacht AIT2000 connected to my Garmin which works a treat.

[Channel Ribs]

As Erin says, you can easily connect a Digital Yacht transponder to Garmin.

At a little over 400 pounds they are stunning value.

[Copinsay]

Hi there

I have a Garmin chartplotter and so did think about getting a Garmin AIS transponder - the benefit seemed to be better / enriched integration on the display and the ability to call up an AIS target vessel by DSC from the MMSI data, without having to manually enter the number.

BUT - I didn't think it worth several hundred pounds for that functionality... Especially as even my bargain transponder was £399 (inc VAT). But all depends on your budget I guess.

I still get all the data I think I'd need on the chartplotter via the generic NMEA connection (including proximity alarms etc), which was fairly straightforward to set up.

Hope this helps

Steve

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Hi there

enriched integration on the display and the ability to call up an AIS target vessel by DSC from the MMSI data, without having to manually enter the number.

Steve

I don't think there is any advantage to using a Garmin AIS. So long as the transponder has N2K then you can still call up a target via the plotter (so long as your radio supports this obviously. Certainly my Digital Yacht unit integrates all features with the Garmin plotter/

[redthunder]

Great. I have gone for the Garmin just because their customer service has been good in the past. I'll let you know how I get on.