nmea 0183

Hi everyone,

I have recently purchased a HDS-7 Gen 3 and already have an Elite 5 HDI and would like to know if I can interface these two units.

It is my understanding that both units support the nmea 0183 standard however don't have a complete understanding of how this interfacing works.

For example, both units are combos, but I only have one map card - Would the map be "interfaced" between both units? If I used the Lowrance track back feature, would the gps co-ords show up on both units (I guess that depends on the previous question)

I will add that I did contact Lowrance who advised that I could not link both units, however was less than convinced with whom I was talking to.

Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

Woodsy


onceinabluemoon's picture

Posts: 9

Date Joined: 12/03/14

nmea

Mon, 2016-01-18 16:25

 My understanding is no you can't link them as hds is nmea 2000 and the elite nmea 0183 are not compatible. 

 With linked units you can share soundings but they won't share charts

Posts: 256

Date Joined: 13/08/11

I think you will find the

Tue, 2016-01-19 09:05

I think you will find the nmea signal will be limited to GPS in and out and maybe a few other accessory type gauges.

Certainly not chart data or sounder info.

onceinabluemoon's picture

Posts: 9

Date Joined: 12/03/14

 Nmea can be used for dual

Tue, 2016-01-19 11:57

 Nmea can be used for dual stations where two units share a transducer.  soundings can be shared

bushbeaver's picture

Posts: 159

Date Joined: 08/07/13

 Give Lowrance's technical

Wed, 2016-01-20 02:59

 Give Lowrance's technical support a call at 02 9936 1000.  The  guy I spoke to recently really knew his stuff and had me sorted PDQ.

JohnF's picture

Posts: 2837

Date Joined: 07/07/10

Most units with NMEA2000 will

Wed, 2016-01-20 10:16

Most units with NMEA2000 will still have NMEA0183 so you can usually link them up.....BUT......the info sent on either 0183 or 2000 is very limited (GPS co-ords, speed, depth reading only etc) and even if you can get both un its to talk to each other the units may well not do what you want.

Maps and sonar readouts will definitely NOT be sent over 0183 or 2000, you need full network over compatible Ethernet for that.

NMEA (either 0183 or 2000) is really only useful for sending simple data. I have dicked about wiith 0183 and 2000 for numerous hours and I have my radio, outboard control unit, sounder and GPS all hooked up via 0183, all talk together happily, but electronics suppliers are smarter than you average bear and make sure that you bnver get full compatibility and new old units are not backward compatible with new units so that you NEED to buy their new unit ever 3-5 years....haha.

____________________________________________________________________________

Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.

Posts: 161

Date Joined: 21/05/15

Nmea 0183

Wed, 2016-01-20 18:29

 Thanks gents for your advice. It certainly appears that I can't do what I was hoping to be able to achieve. Looks like plan B.