Furuno has just introduced a recreational version of a black box AIS receiver. Their popular, but expensive, FA150 tranceiver has been great for those willing to step up with the big dollars for one of the original systems on the market. But unless you were forced to buy one as a commercial vessel, it was probably not your most pressing need. The new FA30 will run about $900 list.
The FA30 is a receive-only unit that is incorporated into an existing NavNet 2 system through an Ethernet connection (software upgrade required). More obvious is that it will be yet another peripheral to add to the soon-to-be-unveiled NavNet 3D Ethernet network. It's all about plug-and-play from here on out with Furuno.
Some other features as noted by a recent release:
Dual parallel channel "Full Duplex" receiver design receives AIS contact messages up to 100 percent more frequently than less-capable dual channel "Multiplexing" receivers
Enhances safe navigation by receiving critical navigation information from local AIS-equipped vessels.
Vastly improves situational awareness in any weather conditions including dense fog, darkness, and congested waterways.
High-sensitivity, synthesized receiver automatically switches between international AIS and local AIS channels.
Optional amplified VHF splitter allows the use of a single antenna for VHF radio (Rx mode) and AIS Receiver with no signal loss (part number 000-011-704). The cost is $165 list.
Ethernet interface and network output to NavNet vx2, NavNet 3D (coming soon), and PCs for added redundancy and installation flexibility.
Serial Output for integration with various Radar and Chart Plotter systems.
AIS Viewer Software included as standard for on-board PC or land-based installations, which may also be upgraded to a full version of MaxSea or MaxSea-NavNet Navigation Software.
"Black Box" design allowing for bulkhead mounting and low power, flexible DC input voltage for simplified installations.
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Jeff McLaren is the National Sales Manager for Seawide Marine Distribution, a wholesaler distributor based in Southern California that works with all major electronics manufacturers. He has produced a series of instructional DVDs on how to use Raymarine navigation gear.
Hi Jeff --
First time posting here but I just had to weigh in on what I see as an increasingly fustrating situation involving marine electronics manufacturers. Though I realize the pace of innovation is rapid, typical purchases of $5K - $10K for, say, Furuno NavNet are not really on the same order as a $100 iPod. No one really expects Apple to continue to enhance or support enhancements on their 3 year old gear, but I believe it is indeed reasonable for Furuno, say, to continue to provide an innovation path to their products for the foreseable future. In this specific case, I am referring to my practically new NavNet 1 which seems to be all but abandonded by the manufacturer in the context of support for new items like this fine-looking AIX unit. When I read all that I can find on the FA30 I see no reference to compatibility to my practically new NavNet 1943, even though it has (a) full Ethernet access; and (b) full capability for NMEA 183 RS 422 input. Call me crazy, but I thought the rationale behind going to these open standard interfaces was so that they *could* continue to support new things without having to do open heart surgery or other expensive HW-based upgrades. If it needs some new SW, well, sell it to me. But just don't deny us loyal customers the opportunity to upgrade our $8K platforms. I'd be interested in your thoughts...
Drew
Drew,
Your Navnet 1 is almost 8 years old (regardless of when you bought it). I don't mean to make light of your situation because this is a lot of money. I can't say whether the AIS module will work with your Navnet 1, you'd be best to call and ask Furuno if this unit will work with your Navnet.
You may also be able to upgrade just your display and keep your hardware (Radar, FF, etc). I'm told that the NN3 will still support radar, FF, even GPS from the NN2 line. If the NN2 could support your accessories, then that would be a simple upgrade for you, that wouldn't be too expensive (10" NN2 displays are going for about $2000).
Technology improves and it isn't always possible to make new equipment backward compatible with older equipment. Microsoft tried to do this for years making Windows backward compatible with previous versions. It cost them a ton of money to make this happen and added a bunch of complexity to the new versions of Windows that ended up causing more problems than they solved.
Furuno is one company that doesn't seem to update their products and kill support frequently. Raymarine is also pretty good about this also. You should be impressed that Furuno still stocks all replacement parts for your unit and will for years to come.
Praetorian has it about right. I'm not sure AIS was even in the picture when NN1 was introduced and at some point Furuno has to move their resources from developing software for discontinued products to supporting existing ones. NN2 will be around for a long time, you may consider replacing your display in the next year or so. It's an easy swap and all the rest of your peripherals will plug in. Probably not what you want to hear, but it's an option that will allow you to take advantage of new software and hardware for some time to come.
Jeff
Praetorian, Jeff -- thanks for your comments...I guess it really is too much to ask these guys to build on an open platform (say, Linux and Ethernet) that could be extended simply and innovatively by the marine consumer community. This is the trend in my field - IT - and I am probably not right to expect this behavior here. In any case, some good pointers regarding NavNet 2 and 3...maybe best course is to await NavNet 3 and buy a new display or BB when it's available next year. Are you fairly confident that my current sensors (radar, sounder, compass, etc.) will work with NN3?
Drew
No. I'm confident they will work with NN2. NN3 will probably not work with your radar antenna.
Jeff