AIS

[Peter3607]

I have a Raymarine E120 chart plotter and would like to install AIS. Is there a compatible system out there? I’m thinking the Raymarine AIS 650 or 700 as possible options but I recall reading some compatibility issues. Anyone have insight or have one installed?

[Viper]

Peter, where do you do your boating? Is AIS really necessary there? Is there a lot of commercial traffic? Keep in mind that AIS is only useful if other boats in the area are using them too. Not needed for example in Lake Simcoe or Trent Severn waterway. May be worth it in the great lakes, and Georgian bay though....IMO.

[Peter3607]

I will be transiting up the St Lawrence River from Sorel, QC to Hamilton, ON. I anticipated a lot of commercial traffic during this transit and locally I am surrounded by commercial traffic in Lake Ontario.

[ColRon]

Peter, I also have a Raymarine E series Classic. I only have AIS receive capabilities as I use the AIS250 receiver. The AIS500 is the receiver /transponder. Both of these were for use with the E-series Classic.. you may have compatibility Issues with the newer 350/700. As NMEA2000code has had some upgrades since software support ended for the E Series Classic, so it may not understand what the newer system is trying to tell it. You can sometimes find New Old Stock on the 250 or 500. Or a good used one on EBay.

[Midnightsun]

Maybe another option. I say maybe because you need to verify compatibility with your Legacy E120. When I upgraded my dash I elected to buy a Ray60 VHF. This gave me AIS when connected with my chart plotter not to mention the latest and greatest VHF radio with all the bells and whistles. That being said it has been discontinued but you might still find one somewhere for a discounted price or purchase the newer model from Ray that does the same. My wife was brought up in Sorel by the way. On the St Lawrence very close to Auberge de la Rive where I assume the boat is located?

https://citimarinestore.com/en/marine-r ... 70245.html

There has been a profusion of aftermarket units all over the web in the last few years which probably will work fine on your E120. This may be worth a hard look, especially at that price. https://www.amazon.ca/Receiver-Integrated-Nautical-Receiving-Steamship/dp/B08L9JFCKL/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&hvadid=254917883921&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000603&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=271718276714470422&hvtargid=kwd-299364931139&hydadcr=1499_10286969&keywords=ais+receiver&qid=1608455475&sr=8-11&tag=googcana-20

We keep our boat up at Prescott on the St Lawrence (near Brockville) and yes AIS has come in handy many a times due to commercial marine traffic.

[Peter3607]

Qr Bbpost Maybe another option. I say maybe because you need to verify compatibility with your Legacy E120. When I upgraded my dash I elected to buy a Ray60 VHF. This gave me AIS when connected with my chart plotter not to mention the latest and greatest VHF radio with all the bells and whistles. That being said it has been discontinued but you might still find one somewhere for a discounted price or purchase the newer model from Ray that does the same. My wife was brought up in Sorel by the way. On the St Lawrence very close to Auberge de la Rive where I assume the boat is located?

https://citimarinestore.com/en/marine-r ... 70245.html

There has been a profusion of aftermarket units all over the web in the last few years which probably will work fine on your E120. This may be worth a hard look, especially at that price. https://www.amazon.ca/Receiver-Integrated-Nautical-Receiving-Steamship/dp/B08L9JFCKL/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&hvadid=254917883921&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000603&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=271718276714470422&hvtargid=kwd-299364931139&hydadcr=1499_10286969&keywords=ais+receiver&qid=1608455475&sr=8-11&tag=googcana-20

We keep our boat up at Prescott on the St Lawrence (near Brockville) and yes AIS has come in handy many a times due to commercial marine traffic.

Thanks for your insights. My last option to consider is upgrading my MFD which I’m trying to avoid for now. I also have a request into Raymarine for viable options.

I’m well aware of all the commercial traffic along the St Lawrence hence my reasoning for AIS. I’m hoping to get her home to Hamilton once the Chambly Canal opens. The boat is currently wintered in Saint-Paul-de-Ile-aux-Noix. Looks like I will be passing right by your marina during my transit to Hamilton.

[Midnightsun]

I made a similar trip although not as far as my boat was bought on Lake Memphremagog, disassembled and hauled to Saint Paul de Ile au Noix where it was reassembled and I took possession.

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost Thanks for your insights. My last option to consider is upgrading my MFD which I’m trying to avoid for now. I also have a request into Raymarine for viable options.

It is really disappointing that every few years you have to wade thru this compatibility thing with all the electronics makers when you want to make an upgrade. One doesn't talk to another, oh and the older models are no longer serviced etc etc....

Almost seems like you have to purchase a complete matching suite....MFD, radar, auto helm. radio etc.

One thing for sure, it is a darn good idea to have the AIS on lake Ontario....those freighters get on you faster than you think.....then you have the morning fog/mist and boating at night around Toronto/Niagara. Will you keep your boat at the Harbs ?

[Peter3607]

Qr Bbpost

Qr Bbpost Thanks for your insights. My last option to consider is upgrading my MFD which I’m trying to avoid for now. I also have a request into Raymarine for viable options.

It is really disappointing that every few years you have to wade thru this compatibility thing with all the electronics makers when you want to make an upgrade. One doesn't talk to another, oh and the older models are no longer serviced etc etc....

Almost seems like you have to purchase a complete matching suite....MFD, radar, auto helm. radio etc.

One thing for sure, it is a darn good idea to have the AIS on lake Ontario....those freighters get on you faster than you think.....then you have the morning fog/mist and boating at night around Toronto/Niagara. Will you keep your boat at the Harbs ?

I would have to agree with you on that. It’s seems our nav equipment can never stay updated. The lack of communication between newer and older models only represents $$ for the manufacturer but I guess that’s technology for you.

I know how these salties and lakers can sneak up on you. I’ve spent many years working alongside them. Hamilton Harbour is very busy with commercial marine traffic but I have some inroads with many of them.

Hoping to complete the Loop one day with this boat once I get everything updated and to my liking.

[Midnightsun]

As most of you know I upgraded my entire dash not that long ago (2017) in boating years that is . The following year, Raymarine came out with lighthouse 3 which my system was not compatible with and remain on lighthouse 2. Not that it makes a big difference, just pointing out how quick things can change. Very happy with what I have and how it performs. Only my depth sounder black box and autopilot remain original and work perfectly with the newer system. Did have to swap out radar though then again radar tech has improved quite a bit so it was a welcome improvement. Did my shopping over the net and winter months mostly in the US which totalled around $10,000 CDN. Not bad since there are dual chart plotters and a multi function gauge, upgraded auto pilot head and top of the line VHF with built in GPS and AIS, new antennas, new Fusion sound system with dual heads and speakers and a bunch of ridiculously priced wiring to convert to the new Ray SeaTalk NG. Also bought 2 Volvo to NMEA converters to be able to bring up engine data on the plotters. Remote controll bow/stern thruster unit and new switches and analog gauges and steering wheel. Probably forgetting some stuff too. Man oh man when I list it all I was sure busy that year!

Really lucked out on the Intellian i2 which I got on an eBay bid for $500 US.

FYI, You can click on the picture below up to 2 times to get a much larger view.