AIS WatchMate 850 - Display with built in AIS Transponder

The AISWatchMate Transponder includes a built-in GPS receiver and patch antenna.

• Designed especially for highest AIS performance.
• Winner of two international innovation awards.
• Nominated for the prestigious 2010 DAME Award.

The AISWatchMate Transponder incorporates a built-in GPS receiver and patch antenna with the award winning AISWatchMate collision avoidance display.

Vesper Marine has designed the AISWatchMate Transponder to help avoid collisions at sea. Using the Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) the AISWatchMate Transponder transmits your AIS data and displays data from all AIS equipped vessels in your vicinity. Audible warning alarms are sounded if a potentially dangerous situation exists.

The alarm sounds whenever a ship is detected that will come dangerously close even though the ship may still be many miles away. You are alerted immediately with the closest point of approach (CPA) and the time until CPA.

Unique and customisable alarm and intelligent filter settings help to eliminate false alarms. Ships and alarms are displayed in a prioritised order assisting you to safely navigate in crowded shipping areas.

The AISWatchMate Transponder has a built-in Class B AIS transponder with GPS receiver and GPS patch antenna. It can be interfaced to other on-board electronics and will provide full AIS output. However, it can be used completely stand-alone and it is not necessary to connect it to any other device.

Integrated AIS Transponder

Includes a built-in AIS Transponder with two channel parallel receiver and transmitter. This high performance transponder means greater range and increased safety. It also makes installation easier. No external "black boxes" to mount, power and wire. Just plug in a VHF antenna and connect the AISWatchMate Transponder to your 12 or 24 volt power supply.

Integrated GPS Antenna

Includes a built-in GPS patch antenna that provides GPS data to the integrated 50 channel GPS receiver. This internal patch antenna allows for simple installation. However if needed, an external GPS antenna connection is provided and an optional external antenna is available.

Note: For best performance, the built-in GPS antenna requires a clear and unobstructed view of the sky. It usually works well when installed in a cockpit, under a non-metallic dodger or under a fiberglass hard-top. However, if you are mounting the AISWatchMate Transponder in a location which does not provide adequate GPS signal coverage (eg. near or obstructed by metal objects or "down below" at a nav station), we recommend using our external GPS antenna.

Fully Water Proof Including USB Connection

The water proof USB connection can be used to power the AISWatchMate Transponder during configuration and makes for an easy connection to onboard or home computers if required.

Anchor Watch (Watch this feature in action on YouTube here)

This is a new feature we have introduced to the AISWatchMate 850 Transponder. It enables you to mark where you dropped anchor and sounds an alarm if your vessel moves outside a preset circle.

The Anchor Watch feature is also available for the AISWatchMate 750 Receiver and 670 Display. Sorry this feature is not available for the older AISWatchMate 650 Display.

Direct Selective Calling (DSC)

Using the DSC function from your WatchMate allows you to initiate an “individual station call” to vessels that are displayed on your WatchMate screen. This feature makes it easy to message nearby boats, requesting them to switch to a specific channel for a VHF call.

Target Plot

Provides a radar-like display of all vessels within the selected range. The display can be oriented north-up or heading-up so it's very easy and natural to interpret. Dangerous and lost targets are readily identified.

Graphical Plot Shows Crossing Situations

Shows the relative position of a target vs. your vessel at the closest point of approach. This provides a graphical view of the crossing situation and clearly indicates whether a target will pass ahead or behind.

CPA and TCPA

Computes the closest point of approach and time until CPA. Alarms may be based on these and other factors.

Bearing and Range

Computes the bearing and range to each vessel. Bearing can be displayed in magnetic to facilitate easy visual identification using your compass and binoculars. Bearings can alternatively be displayed in true or relative to your vessel's heading.

Prioritization

Vessels and alarms are presented in priority order.

Intelligent Filtering

In crowded operating areas the AISWatchMate Transponder eliminates clutter and false alarms with sophisticated filtering options.

Identify your "fleet"

Targets marked as members of your fleet are displayed with a special icon. Use this to indicate your friends or vessels you commonly work with.

CPA alarm

Triggers alarm if a vessel will come too close. Full control of alarm parameters.

Guard alarm

Sounds alarm if any vessel comes within the specified range. Both CPA alarms and guard alarms may be used together.

External alarm trigger

In addition to the internal alarm, an external buzzer, alarm, or signal light can be interfaced without requiring any additional relays (max 150mA).

Consise and easy to read displays

Uncluttered easy to read display shows all available AIS data.

Class A, Class B and AIS-SART

Displays AIS data received from all Class A and Class B transponders. Displays and triggers the alarm for AIS-SART (Search and Rescue Transponders) and personal AIS transponders.

Safety messages

Displays received AIS Broadcast Safety Messages. These messages may contain important safety, navigation, weather, or shipping information. An AIS mayday safety message can also be sent directly from the AISWatchMate Transponder.

Aids to navigation

Full support for AIS aids to navigation including off-position and virtual aid indicators.

Meteorological and hydrographic display

Displays real-time wind, current, tidal and much more in areas where this information is broadcast.

GPS receiver

Displays built-in GPS satellite status and navigation data such as your position, heading, course and speed.

Large backlit LCD

Adjustable daylight viewable backlit 125mm (5") LCD.

Easy to use

Four buttons control all features. Each button is clearly labeled on-screen. Buttons are backlit for night time use and illumination brightness is controllable. Each setting has on-screen help.

Ultra-Low power consumption

Designed for minimal power consumption the AISWatchMate Transponder is extremely well suited for energy conscious vessels.

External interface

The AISWatchMate Transponder provides complete AIS and GPS output and is easily interfaced to chart plotters, radars or computers.

Silent Mode

Allows AISWatchMate Transponder to be put in Silent Mode. When in this mode, the AIS receivers and GPS continue to operate normally and all alarms and other features, including the Anchor Watch, are available. The only change is all transmissions are inhibited (except MayDay). Perfect for those times when you want privacy.

VHF "in use" Indicator

Unique VHF “in use” indicator (When used with Vesper Marine’s VHF splitter).

Self Diagnosis

Self diagnosis to provide warnings if AIS, GPS or antenna are not functioning.

Easy installation

Installation is simplified with the AISWatchMate Transponder. No external "black boxes" are required. Simply plug in a VHF antenna and connect the unit to your 12 or 24 volt power source. Depending on where you mount your AISWatchMate Transponder, you may also need our external GPS antenna.

Increased Safety

Your safety is increased when offshore or in busy traffic areas.

Safety at night

When night falls or the weather is bad it is often difficult to see other vessel's lights or determine their direction. The AISWatchMate shows immediately which way the vessel is moving and will even plot the crossing situation.

Positive Identification

You'll have each vessel's name and call sign and others using AIS will also have yours. If you wish to call another vessel you will be able to ensure you are talking to the correct vessel. This is very important when operating in busy areas or in bad weather when visibility is reduced.

Operates on very low power

Energy concious users know how important low power operation can be particularly on a long voyage when charging from solar or wind. The AISWatchMate consumes far less than a radar, chart plotter or computer.

Stand-alone unit doesn't require chart plotter, computer or radar

The AISWatchMate is easy to interface to these devices but none are necessary for its operation. The AISWatchMate Transponder is a fully stand-alone AIS collision warning solution.

Anchor Watch (Watch this feature in action on YouTube here)

The AISWatchMate 850 Transponder includes the Anchor Watch feature, allowing you to mark where you dropped anchor and sounds an alarm if your vessel moves outside a preset circle, indicating that your have begun to drift outside your set radius.

The unique Anchor Watch screen enables you to see the bearing from your vessel to the marked anchor location, the distance between your vessel and the marked anchor location and shows the periodic position of your vessel as dots, indicating how your vessel has moved while anchored.

* Size does not include bracket or cable

Z1039

Specifications may change due to product improvements.

PATENT PENDING