Standard Horizon GX2100, AISrx/VHF combo for most any boat?
Nov 24, 2009
I consider this fairly big news. Not only does the GX2100 combine full featured Class D VHF with a true dual AIS receiver in one box with a fairly big screen, and include most all of the nice added features the pairing can support, but it does it all for $400 MAP (minimum advertised price). That's a lot of features per gear dollar, and I'm going to list most of them because they're not online elsewhere yet:
So, meet the Standard Horizon GX2100, a.k.a. the Matrix AIS, which is already FCC approved, and should ship soon:
AIS target display -- MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG; Contact AIS Ship with DSC; CPA (Closest Point of Approach) Alarm; 80dB Commercial grade receiver; Class D DSC (continuous DSC watch via independent Channel 70 receiver) with Individual, All ship, Position Report, Request and Distress; Enter, Save and Navigate to waypoints (up to 100 saved) with Compass page; Navigate to a DSC Distress Call; ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone with channel selection and 16/9 key; Over-sized rotary channel knob with push to enter, backlit display and keys; 30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with pre-programmed fog signals and listen back; Capable of connecting an optional RAM3 second station remote microphone; Intercom between radio and RAM3; DSC position request and report functions when connected to compatible GPS chart plotter; Voice Scrambler (optional); Versatile user-programmable scanning, priority scan and Dual Watch; User programmable soft keys; 38,400 AIS NMEA 0183 sentence output to compatible GPS Chart Plotter; available in black or white; and comes with a 3 Year Waterproof Warranty
Wow. The common lament of VHF manufacturers is that many boaters never replace the one(s) that came with their boat (which was true of Gizmo, though most every other piece had been replaced in her prior 9 years). And which also contributes to the glacial pace of DSC adoption. Maybe this GX2100 will do the trick for many? But what if you already have an AIS receiver or transponder? Well, this could be a backup receiver with AIS/DSC features you may not otherwise have. Or the the unit you leave on during a long offshore sail, or at anchor. OR you may be interested in the GX2000, which seems to be the same radio except that it has a 38,400 NMEA 0183 AIS input instead of an AIS receiver and it only MAPs for $230. But let's note that this is where some boats with standard 0183 AIS receivers/transponders are going to run into a problem of too little 0183 output to feed too many mouths, which is one of the reasons I inadvertently created that whole AIS/N2K mess the other day. And when you think about it, aren't devices like these that have GPS input, DSC message output, and AIS input or output kinda ripe for real NMEA 2000 type networking anyway? Just saying. We already know that the Garmin VHF300 AIS, with N2K, is coming, but it's a premium product, and also involves a separate decision involving the pros and cons of black box radios. The new GX2100 and GX2000 make more sense on more boats right now, and Standard Horizon deserves a big hand.
Timing of this article couldn't be better, I was going to buy a Standard Horizon Quantum VHF today.
Looks like it might be worth waiting a bit!
BTW, based on past experience, SH offers superb customer support.
Posted by: Boyd Godfrey at November 24, 2009 1:16 PM
Wow, this is pretty cool. Probably an AIS newbie question...is this plug-and-play with my existing VHF antenna, or do I need to climb up to the top of my sailboat mast to replace the antenna for the AIS to work?
Posted by: Pat James at November 24, 2009 1:43 PM
Wowsa . . . nice machine though again it doesn't bode well for NMEA2000 implementation in the AIS world. OK, sore subject. I would put this on board just for the quick mmsi call feature.
Posted by: Bob at November 24, 2009 1:50 PM
So can this output AIS data to either a chartplotter or a PC program over 0183?
I agree with the timing. I have an old ICOM M45 perfect for the Great Lakes, plus a SH 471SX with DSC as a handheld, but for offshore I want AIS as both a standalone and as an optional overlay to a MFD or PC chartplotter. I have a pilothouse and inside/outside helms on my sailboat, so I don't necessarily need an "outdoor" MFD...this makes sense.
You are correct, the GX2100 MATRIX AIS will output the 38400 NMEA AIS data when connected to a compatible Chartplotter or PC program.
R. Jason Kennedy
Executive Vice President
Standard Horizon
Posted by: Jason Kennedy at November 24, 2009 4:43 PM
I am outfitting a new boat in the early spring and was hoping this type of product would come along. Perhaps this will spur Icom into releasing a competitive product. Is there any reason why the integration could not extend to a full Class B transceiver? Are the FCC rules still inhibiting product development or introduction into the US?
Posted by: Red Tail at November 24, 2009 5:13 PM
I think I might have been one of the deleted comments.
I may have seemed a bit over enthusiastic about SH's customer service, but I have nothing but good to say about the way they treated me with repairing my chartplotter,(even though the damage was entirely my fault).
Kind of a shame that these days it's too often that a positive customer experience is the exception amd not the rule.
Any idea of when this unit will be available in Canada?
Posted by: Boydster at November 24, 2009 5:33 PM
Boydster,
Thank you for your positive comments regarding Standard Horizon's customer service.
The GX2100 will be available in December 2009!
Jason Kennedy
Standard Horizon
Posted by: Standard Horizon at November 24, 2009 5:49 PM
Sorry about that Boydster! I just un-deleted the 'suspicious' comments and deleted my own because I realized I went off on the wrong track. A little solid research by someone smarter than me today convinced me that every one here is the real deal.
Please note that I never thought Jason or his colleagues were gaming the comments, though I did think someone was. I may have a little flu-driven paranoia going, but the other factor here is that SH seems to have such a hot product that first reactions seemed too positive to be real.
No need to climb the mast, the GX2100 MATRIX AIS is plug-and-play with your existing VHF antenna for both AIS and VHF.
Jason
Posted by: Standard Horizon at November 24, 2009 6:23 PM
I have heard that there are FCC issues with integrating a Class B AIS transceiver in the VHF radio, but that is certainly what I am waiting for. Putting the AIS section in a separate box would be fine too if the FCC requires it. I just want integrated AIS transceiver, GPS (for AIS and the radio), and a shared antenna.
And, will not be waiting for the Ethernet version, NMEA 0183 & 2000 will be fine.
Jon
Posted by: JonM at November 24, 2009 9:53 PM
Jason, if you are still listening... Do you know if the NMEA0183 GPS input will have configurable baud rates? For example the Raymarine C Classic has one NMEA0183 in/output, if you want AIS displayed you need to set it to 38.4Kbps, the GPS output would then also be at the higher speed. So can the GX2100 take a 38.4Kbps GPS input?
Product looks brilliant! Can't wait for it to ship.
Another couple for Jason: will you be introducing AIS capable versions of the "higher end" VHF products such as the GX5500 any time soon? How about a VHF with an integrated AIS Class B transceiver? Thanks.
Posted by: Red Tail at November 25, 2009 3:09 AM
This is a REALLY big deal. In a single step, SH takes the lead by four lengths, at a jaw-dropping price point.
You're OK Ben, SH is _unbelievably_ good at customer support. There is no need for shills or forum pumping. If you don't believe me, listen in when an unsophisticated customer calls them with a tough question. You will be pleasantly surprised.
You know I can be pretty critical of unsupportive vendors, and you know I have an irrational product loyalty to Garmin, but SH is the real deal.
Posted by: Sandy Daugherty at November 25, 2009 11:23 AM
What a creative product!
I can't imagine any more functionality being added to a RAM Mic, though; it's such a small device. So I have to ask, Will my existing SH RAM mic at the helm work with this radio, or would I have to replace it?
BTW, my SH Ram Mic is one of my favorite tools on the boat. The quality of the speaker output is outstanding for such a small (and waterproof!) device.
Posted by: Larry Brandt at November 25, 2009 11:50 AM
Brown wire: NMEA 0183 – HS (38400 bps for AIS data) Input/Output: GX2100: Output, GX2000: Input
Blue wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for GPS data) Input
Gray wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for DSC data) Output
Green wire: NMEA Negative (Common GND)
I hope this answers your question.
Jason
Posted by: Standard Horizon at November 25, 2009 6:15 PM
Larry Brandt,
The NEW CMP30 RAM3 has a dot matrix screen and will be able to display the AIS information similar to the GX2000/2100 MATRIX.
Jason
Posted by: Standard Horizon at November 25, 2009 8:30 PM
Jason . . . the biggie . . . will there be a transponder version?
Posted by: Bob at November 25, 2009 9:04 PM
Did you have a look at the Radio Ocean RO4800 VHF/AIS combo? This is available around EUR 350,- and has an optional wireless remote which works perfect!
This has been on the market in Europe for a year now, I don't know if it is available on the US market.
Chris
Posted by: Chris at November 26, 2009 6:50 AM
Products like this are a good reminder why I've been a happy Standard Horizon user for decades. With this product SH is ahead of the competition again, with everyone else playing catch-up ball.
Since I already have two AIS units onboard (one receiver and one Class A transceiver), I'd have a hard time convince the admiral/comptroller I need another one, but it looks like a terrific product . . . one I can happily recommend to my AIS-less friends.
--Milt Baker Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale
Posted by: Milt Baker at November 27, 2009 9:23 AM
I was trying to find a spec sheet on the SH Web site... but must be to soon for one to be posted.
My question is do you need two antennas with this unit?
Regardless.. I am AISless and have an old SH non digital radio so this will be my
Christmas present if SH Ships early enough.
Any word on the specifics of shipping in December.
Fisheries Supply (Seattle) said they would be receiving the unit without AIS ( I think the 2000)but made no mention of the AIS Unit.
Could Standard Horizon weigh in and post where these units will be sold in the Seattle area.
Regards
Christian
Posted by: Christian Holm at November 28, 2009 12:31 PM
As a potential luddite amongst this crowd - Will this unit be able to integrate seamlessly with a Garmin 5200 - or newer GPS ?
My understanding is that the new Garmin stuff is NEMA 2000 - but that you can also run 183 - so a networked system - Radar / Sounder / GPS - all garmin @ 2000 - and this at 183 - will this be an issue ?
Posted by: Bob at November 30, 2009 7:09 PM
Yes it should but you may have an different issue if you don't have two free NEMA 0183 ports on your display as noted above, one that you can configure for 38,400 baud rate for AIS input from VHF and one at 4800 for GPS output to VHF.
Posted by: Red Tail at December 1, 2009 2:44 AM
Make that three NMEA 0183 connections! If you want the Garmin to create waypoints for incoming DSC distress and buddy calls, you need to connect the radio's DSC output to a standard 0183 input port on the Garmin.
The Garmin 5200 has plenty of 0183 ports, but bear in mind that you'll need to connect six tiny wires from the radio to six tiny wires on the Garmin. That's one reason I think this level of networking is ripe for NMEA 2000. But unfortunately that's an expensive option right now.
Question - SH was a HUGE help i getting my HX370S configured on 2 meters. THANKS GUYS!
Does anyone know if this or any other fixed mount VHF can do 2 meters including CTSS?
Posted by: island_sailor at December 4, 2009 3:15 PM
Anyone want to buy a year old SH GX1500S?
Posted by: Owen at December 4, 2009 5:25 PM
Speaking of cool AIS news, check this out:
ISS Can Now Watch Sea Traffic From Space
During its last mission, astronauts from the Space Shuttle Atlantis installed an Automatic Identification System antenna on the outside of the International Space Station that will allow astronauts aboard the ISS to monitor signals from the AIS transmitters mandated to be installed on most large ocean-going craft. Although these VHF signals can be monitored from the Earth's surface, their horizontal range is generally limited to about 75 km (46 mi), leaving large areas of the ocean unwatched. However, the signals easily reach the 400 km (250 mi) orbit of the ISS. The European Space Agency sees this experiment as a test platform for a future AIS-monitoring fleet of satellites that will eventually provide worldwide coverage of sea traffic.
Data overload! Not a problem for eathbound users, but the ISS can see four of the busiest ports and sealanes all at the same time.
Posted by: Sandy Daugherty at December 6, 2009 9:49 AM
Any ideas of the power consumption? Is there a sleep/minimal power consumption mode?
Posted by: Anonymous at December 6, 2009 11:11 PM
GX2100 AIS vs GX2000 Current Drain
Standby 0.55 A (GX2100), 0.45 A(GX2000)
Receiver (at Maximum AF Output)0.9 A (GX2100), 0.8 A (GX2000)
Transmit 5.0 A (Hi), 1.0 A (Lo)
Posted by: Standard Horizon at December 14, 2009 1:05 PM
Tim Flanagan of Navagear did a good job probing the NMEA 0183 installation issues around these radios. It's certainly doable one way or another, but can get complex, and potential buyers should understand what they're getting into:
Ben, reading that Navagear post was frustrating. I kept waiting for him to write, "of course, if this piece of 2010 model year kit just supported NMEA2000, all of these issues would be moot..."
Posted by: Adam at February 4, 2010 5:20 PM
I agree, Adam, and I look forward to the day when the major VHF manufacturers adopt NMEA 2000. And wouldn't be surprised if Standard was first. But I also understand that the VHF market is quite price sensitive, and they obviously worked hard to pack a lot of value into the GX series.
I've been thinking a bit more about Tim's critique and it's worth noting that much of his frustration has largely to do with the fact that his Raymarine C-Series only has one NMEA 0183 input/output port. That's really quite unusual, and has caused complications for many.
It's also probably prudent, and maybe NMEA specs, for Standard Horizon not to mix the DSC output with the AIS stream. For one thing, AIS expects to have all that bandwidth to itself, and for another some plotters/programs may not be able to see DSC messages if they're in a high speed stream.
Bottom line: installing a GX with normal MFDs, GPSs, etc. is not going to be all that hard, though it does involve connecting 3 data streams (wire pairs). NMEA 2000 could do it all, and better, just plug and play (but then again we are seeing some version one glitches with the N2K AIS messaging on the first devices to support it.)
Saw this great radio at the Seattle Boat Show and talked with the SH reps there. One concern I had was the connection between the mother radio and the RAM mic. I presently have a 7-year old SH radio at the nav station, with the RAM mic remoted at the helm, a very nice way to do it. I was hoping the new RAM mic would be able to re-use the existing cable to the helm. Alas, not so, as the new RAM mic is a digital connection versus the analog mic connection I now have. It won't be trivial to change out this cable. It's not technically difficult...just labor-intensive.
Posted by: Larry Brandt at February 5, 2010 12:37 PM
Note that the new Simrad NSE also has only a single NMEA 0183 I/O port, and so it too will be tricky to fully integrate with a GX2100. Discussion here:
The statement about needing NMEA 2000 is right on the mark. Also, what's really needed is a marine VHF dsc, NMEA 2000 (interface to Chartploter), with a build in AIS B transponder and around $1K. Sure you can do it now if you want to hookup a bunch of modules from AIS transpnder, SH GX2100 radio to my garmin 4208 GPS with a NMEA 0183. This type of install is painful. I am going to hold on to my $1K till Garmin, Standard Horizon, or ICon get their acts together.
Posted by: Greg Brett at February 15, 2010 9:44 PM
Hello,
If you want DSC VHF AIS receive, with NMEA2000, then Garmin has it now. The VHF 300 AIS does all that:
Personally, for about $1000 less, I will take the Standard Horizon and connect a few wires (nmea 0183). While my chartplotter (Lowrance LMS 337 CDF) does accept NMEA 2000, it won't display the AIS data. I don't feel like paying close to $1000 to upgrade the chartplotter, so I will try the remote mic to display the AIS info, the main radio will be mounted below.
Barry
Posted by: Barry Lenoble at February 16, 2010 11:59 AM
at November 24, 2009 5:13 PM
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