[CA] [CA11] A65 Compatability

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Tim,

Q1. Am I correct in thinking that I could connect this to the smart heading units NEMA output and receive depth/speed etc through this?
A1. Negative. The Pathfinder Smart Heading System (SHS) was not designed to function as a SeaTalk to NMEA 0183 data bridging device. Back in the day, this function was undertaken by the hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Displays, some of the older autopilot course computers, and the E85001 PC/SeaTalk/NMEA 0183 Interface module. Unfortunately, the E85001 PC/SeaTalk/NMEA 0183 Interface Module was discontinued many years ago. While it may be possible to interface the A65 to the autopilot's NMEA 0183 interface, doing so in a manner which would support bidirectional communications would likely result in an installation which caused looping of data within the system. The latter may be avoided through proper configuration of the NMEA 0183 sentences transmitted by the chartplotter as well as installation of a programmable NMEA 0183 multiplexer (configured to only pass NMEA 0183 sentences including depth, speed, wind, water temp, and heading data) between the NMEA 0183 output port of the autopilot and the NMEA 0183 input port of the chartplotter. An alternative solution would be to install a third party SeaTalk to NMEA 0183 data bridging device such as the Brookhouse Multiplexer w/SeaTalk option.

All of this said, please click here to view a related FAQ. The money spent in such a multiplexer may be better spent on purchasing a currently manufactured MFD (ex. Axiom 7) and a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. Parts and service are no longer available for the A60/A65 Chartplotters and Chartplotter/Fishinfinders, and linearization and alignment of the SHS are not supported by the A60/A65 Chartplotters and Chartplotter/Fishinfinders.