WATCHMATE 850 CLASS B STANDALONE AIS TRANSPONDER
WatchMate 850, a fully standalone transponder with a 5" sunlight viewable screen is easy to use and loaded with features.
Complete Class B AIS Transponder
WatchMate 850 is a Class B AIS transponder with a two channel parallel receiver and transmitter. It transmits your vessel position and details and receives the same kind of information from other vessels with AIS transponders.
The AIS data is sent every few seconds and includes information such as course, speed, latitude, longitude, and heading. Static information about the vessel is sent every few minutes and includes the name, type of vessel, length, beam, draft, etc.
Safety features
WatchMate 850 has powerful safety features that help ensure the safety of your vessel and crew. Its safety features are similar to a smartAIS transponder but it doesn’t have WiFi. The WatchMate 850 provides:
Safety Underway. Continuously determine crossing situations, receive collision alarms with full vessel information for critical action.
Safety at Anchor. Sleep soundly, knowing you’ll be alerted if your anchor is dragging.
Safety for your Crew. Be alerted when your crew activate an AIS MOB device and see their current location for easy retrieval..
It means you can enjoy your time on the water, knowing your WatchMate 850 is always keeping watch in the background and is ready to alert you the moment it detects a hazard or unwanted event.
Safety at Anchor – Anchor Watch
The anchor watch enables you to mark where you dropped anchor and sounds an alarm if your vessel moves outside an adjustable circle. It provides a helpful visual indication of where within your anchor circle the boat is located along with distance and bearing to the anchor point.
Unlike any other product, when you have a heading input our anchor watch automatically corrects for the location of your GPS antenna on-board.This eliminates cumulative position errors and makes the WatchMate 850 the most accurate and useful anchor watch available.
Integrated GPS Antenna
Includes a built-in GPS antenna that provides GPS data to the integrated 50 channel GPS receiver. This internal antenna allows for simple installation. However if needed, an external GPS antenna connection is provided and an optional external antenna is available.
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 WatchMate 850 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.
Sunlight Viewable 5" display
Consise and easy to read
Uncluttered easy to read display shows all available AIS data.
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.
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.
Safety messages
Displays received AIS Broadcast Safety Messages. These messages may contain important safety, navigation, weather, or shipping information.
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.
Other innovative features
Firmware Updates
When you buy a WatchMate 850, you get not just a product, but an extendable AIS platform. Designed to be compatible with a continuous stream of feature updates, you can update your WatchMate 850 with the latest firmware via USB and your computer
Silent Mode
Allows WatchMate 850 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 that all transmissions are inhibited. 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.
External alarm trigger
In addition to the internal alarm, an external buzzer, alarm, or signal light can be interfaced withg the WatchMate 850 without requiring any additional relays (max 150mA).
