firehoser75
Guru
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,719
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- former owner of "Pilitak"
- Vessel Make
- Nordic Tug 37
Looking for some opinions.
Background:
I have older Raymarine GPS. Chartplotter/Fishfinder, Radar, and Standard Horizon VHF (with DSC). Up to now, we have also been using an older laptop with an older version of Nobeltec. The laptop runs Windows XP.
I recently purchased a new laptop to operate Rosepoint Coastal Explorer software. I am also considering trying to connect the laptop to the existing GPS and plotter, as well as another GPS source (either a puck, or to an AIS source that has a built in GPS).
Now my question. Should I buy an AIS only unit such as a Vesper, or should I buy a second VHF with DSC and AIS built in? What features would I not receive with the VHF option? The VHF with AIS is less expensive than the Vesper unit.
Any other ideas of how or what to add to allow AIS to be displayed on the new Coastal Explorer laptop?
Thanks in advance for the opinions and suggestions,
Tom
Background:
I have older Raymarine GPS. Chartplotter/Fishfinder, Radar, and Standard Horizon VHF (with DSC). Up to now, we have also been using an older laptop with an older version of Nobeltec. The laptop runs Windows XP.
I recently purchased a new laptop to operate Rosepoint Coastal Explorer software. I am also considering trying to connect the laptop to the existing GPS and plotter, as well as another GPS source (either a puck, or to an AIS source that has a built in GPS).
Now my question. Should I buy an AIS only unit such as a Vesper, or should I buy a second VHF with DSC and AIS built in? What features would I not receive with the VHF option? The VHF with AIS is less expensive than the Vesper unit.
Any other ideas of how or what to add to allow AIS to be displayed on the new Coastal Explorer laptop?
Thanks in advance for the opinions and suggestions,
Tom