[CA] [CA11] Upgrade electronics recommendations

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum

Q1. Will the existing autopilot work with an Axiom MFD?
A1. When interfaced to the autopilot via a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit, the MFD will be able to command navigation (Go To Waypoint / Cursor Position or Follow Route). The associated navigational information will be communicated to the autopilot to permit the ST5000+ autopilot to enter track mode by using the ST5000's track button vs the Axiom MFD's Autopilot Controls feature (the latter is only supported with systems featuring an Evolution autopilot.

Q2. Will the existing depth sounder work with an Axiom MFD?
A2. Possibly. No details have been provided regarding the model of depth sounder.

Q3. Can the existing Garmin external GPS antenna feed GPS data to an Axiom MFD?
A3. Should the "external GPS antenna" be an a GPS sensor (not simply a passive GPS antenna) supporting NMEA 2000 communications protocol, then it may indeed be possible to interface both the currently installed GPS sensor and MFD each as spurs to a powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone to permit these products to communicate with one another. Should the GPS sensor support NMEA 0183 communications protocol, then a NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 data bridging device (ex. Actisense NGW-1-ISO-STNG, etc.) would also be required. Should a passive GPS antenna (i.e. one which simply gathers GPS signal) be installed onboard, then it would be recommended that it be replaced with a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor.

Q4. Can the existing AIS unit feed AIS data to an Axiom MFD?
A4. It appears that the Vesper Marine XB-8000 AIS supports NMEA 2000 communications protocol and as such, may also be interfaced as spur to the aforementioned powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone to permit the Axiom MFD to support AIS related features.