AMEC CAMINO-108 CLASS B AIS TRANSPONDER

I just bought this new AIS transponder that will replace my AIS SR 161 receiver, both of which I bought from www.milltechmarine.com/
This unit I discovered at the Annapolis MD 2015 boat show and it has all the outputs needed to integrate into any system. It has NMEA 2000, NMEA 183 USB to Computers and even a built in GPS or a puck GPS, all this for under $500. Then if you use the discount code of AMEC10 you will get 10% off.

If ordered, then they send you an online form where you need to enter your MMSI # and Radio Call Sign because they have to program that into the unit before shipping. Over all, I think this is a new an d great AIS transponder that is at the lowest price I have seen. Mine will be shipping today, and I will let you know how it all works out.

Product Link
www.milltechmarine.com/AMEC-CAMINO-108-C...ansponder_p_268.html

Company Link
www.milltechmarine.com/




Hayden, offshore running for St. Augustine, FL

My AIS AMEC CAMINO arrived here in Vero Beach, Fl. This unit looks great. It will be very easy to set up. take a look a these photos, and I also discovered the unit has an SD card slot which will record all data into a text file. That should be interesting for logging trips. I will report more once I install this unit and replace my SR 161 AIS radio.

Here are some photos.
The contents


The AIS Radio


The install diagram


The NMEA 2000 and 183 output


The SD memory card slot


Ho cool is this???

UPDATE after install.

This was the easiest install ever, since I was simply removing one AIS radio and installing this one. One change I made was that I bought the $10 GPS puck and I installed this under the deck on a simple little L bracket with the puck directly under the deck. This way, all I had to connect was the 12 volt power and this GPS and plug in the USB cable. Then on the laptop, I installed the USB drive, always a challenge to get it to talk to the laptop, but once configured, this unit light up and is transmitting well.

What I like about this unit, besides the $450 price (Annapolis show special) is the fact that it will output NMEA 183 (two streams) and NMEA 2000, and USB cable. So right now, I can add this into my USB feed and present the targets on the OpenCPN nav software I use at the nav desk just for AIS. Then when I upgrade my helm navigation system to one that will read AIS, then I can feed this output via NMEA 183 or NMEA 2000 to the new helm station.

Overall, this is a great unit, it works well, and it was easy to install. It took me about 30 minutes to install it, and about 30 minutes to configure the USB port.

Hayden

More on my AIS CAMINO, I now added an on off Silent/Transmit switch

This AIS Camino has a connection for a simple on off switch that will shut down the transmit of the AIS but still leave the receive part on. This is called the TX/Silent connection for transmit vs silent mode. I made a simple bracket and added a small toggle switch and placed this under the instrument panel on our IP 35. Again, I am very impressed with this unit and it seems like a very fair deal and this AIS until will talk to any NMEA 183 or NMEA 2000 gear.

Here are a few more photos:

A simple switch


My simple $10 GPS added under the deck on a simple bracket


The GPS signal strength is great


Where I added the Tx / Silent switch for AIS


The Camino software diagnostics lets you know you are transmitting and all is working


I use OpenCPN computer nav software, here you can see the NMEA steam


Proof of the AIS working with targets on the OpenCPN nav screen


Hayden, on anchor off Fort Pierce, FL

Alan:
I too have always had a dedicated AIS vhf antenna mounted on my Bimini frame. I do not like the idea of splitting the main VHF antenna, plus AIS antennas do not need to be high. This unit says that because it is a class B transponder it will transmit on the 2 watt power setting which says it will reach out 5 to 7 NM. Class A transponders will transmit at 12.5 watts and they will reach out 25 NM. Thi unit will transmit every 30 seconds when the unit is moving. I have not had this unit out to sea yet, but I have an AIS PowerPoint slide show showing years and years of my AIS screens from Maine to Bahamas with very interesting crossings. WIth my old unit I would see AIS targets 20 miles away. I hope this one will do that as well.

NOTE:
In our document library, I added years ago, a PDF of 35+ AIS screens with interesting crossing from Maine to Bahamas. If you are logged in, you can download it here:
www.ipyoa.com/docs/yacht-systems/electronics/83-ais-screens-pdf
Hayden

Note:

We get 10% discount when buying this AIS radio and other items as well. Just enter the coupon code ipyoa at check out. Try it out here, it's worth $50!
www.milltechmarine.com/
Hayden