Vesper AIS displays for cheap

[Paul L]

FYI, on West's website they have the older Vesper AIS display on close out for $99. These started out at 4 or 5 hundred. I always wanted one of these, but couldn't justify the cost. At this price I ordered one. They are so low power that you could leave the display on with other chartplotters/PCs off and not hurt the energy budget.

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by Paul L

FYI, on West's website they have the older Vesper AIS display on close out for $99. These started out at 4 or 5 hundred. I always wanted one of these, but couldn't justify the cost. At this price I ordered one. They are so low power that you could leave the display on with other chartplotters/PCs off and not hurt the energy budget.

Paul:

Thanks for the heads up on this. Just ordered one for my boat. At a hundred bucks it is cheap insurance to see if any of the big boys are coming at ya.

[Caribsailors]

Not wanting to be a Debbie Downer, but think it is just the display you are purchasing.
West's first line in the description "AIS WatchMate is a unique, dedicated waterproof display that works with any Class A or B AIS transponder, providing a radar-like representation of all vessels within range."

If it's a full AIS receiver & display.....It's a great deal

[dirkdig]

From what i know you need to add the ais transponder/ reciever.
The watchmate is like buying a tv monitor.
If not i am ordering one today!

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by Caribsailors

Not wanting to be a Debbie Downer, but think it is just the display you are purchasing.
West's first line in the description "AIS WatchMate is a unique, dedicated waterproof display that works with any Class A or B AIS transponder, providing a radar-like representation of all vessels within range."

If it's a full AIS receiver & display.....It's a great deal

Looking closer I think you are right about that it being a display unit. Still, I can purchase a separate AIS transponder for under $500 me allowing me AIS functionality and saving a few hundred bucks. If I just what to have it receive AIS signal I can get receive unit for under $200. I'll decide once I have unit in my hands which way I will go.

[dirkdig]

For me for the extra few hundred its worth having yourself seen as well.once you pay or install it yourself it a small amont of insurance sometimes.

[Paul L]

Yes, it is the display only. But that is the part that consumes juice. You'
d have to cable a receiver into it. Milltech has some good cheap receivers.