Garmin GXM51 - NMEA2000 XM Receiver

Garmin has introduced a new NMEA2000 XM weather/audio receiver. It will integrate with any Garmin NMEA2000 compatible unit like the 4000 and 5000 Series. Here is a pic followed by the specs:Garmin International is pleased to announce the GXM 51 Weather and Audio XM Satellite Receiver. Delivering U.S. graphical weather data directly to your compatible Garmin chartplotter, this sleek, watertight XM satellite receiver/antenna offers easy plug-and-play installation with NMEA 2000 network connectivity. The integrated all-in-one design means there is no remote “black box” to install. The GXM 51 can be powered directly through the NMEA 2000 bus, so no separate power connection is required! In addition to conventional pole or surface mounting, the GXM 51 can also be installed on the underside of many fiberglass decks, using the included under-deck mount. Over 20 different types of weather information (including NEXRAD, lightning, wave heights, water temps, wind data, and more) can be accessed from your chartplotter screen (depending on the XM WX package selected). Plus, with a subscription, you can even use the GXM 51 to enjoy over 170 channels of quality audio entertainment via XM Satellite Radio.

The GXM 51 is compatible with the GPSMAP 4208, 4210, 4212, 5208, 5212 and 5215. The GDL 30A is also available for all GPSMAP 3000, 4000 and 5000 series products.

GXM 51 Package includes: GXM 51, 6m NMEA 2000/Audio cable, 305mm audio cable
(7-pin to RCA), pole mount, under-deck mount, surface mount, mounting
hardware, NMEA 2000 T-connector, NMEA 2000 terminator (male), NMEA 2000
terminator (female), installation instructions

Availability: May, 2009
Garmin P/N: 010-00753-00

Raymarine Introduces New ST70 Plus Display Instrument

Raymarine is well onboard with the NMEA2000 rage with their new ST70 Plus Color instrument. This thing is sweet and one will definitely be going on my Seacraft this summer! This new display is sort of a universal all in one display that can control their pilots and can be used as a stand alone instrument to display info on the N2K network. It is color, very bright, and has a lot of screen area relative to the size of the fixture. In fact the fixture is all screen! They include a remote keypad for control. So you can put the display up on your dash where it might be a stretch to reach it, and put the control keypad closer to the wheel for easy reach. There are three variations of the keypad available - an instrument keypad, sail pilot pad, and powerboat pilot pad. One keypad can also control multiple displays. The picture below is worth a thousand words. Should be out the 2nd qtr of '09. I can't wait!