The new WatchMate 850 is a full function, Class B AIS transponder, which also incorporates a display providing a clear overview of surrounding AIS targets.

The screen provides a radar like display of all vessels within the selected range.  It can be orientated north up or head up, so it’s also very easy and natural to interpret.  Dangerous targets can be prioritised and the graphical plot shows crossing situations with the relative position of the target versus your vessel at the closest point of approach.  It allows you to easily see whether a target will pass behind or ahead of you and the system will also calculate the closest point of approach (CPA) and time until closest point of approach (TCPA).  Alarms can be set for these parameters.

The transponder functionality also sends your vessel's data to other AIS equipped vessels.  A highly sensitive 50 channel GPS is built into the display which means there is no need for an external GPS antenna unless the unit is mounted below deck on a steel boat.  There is, however, the provision for an optional external antenna.  All that’s required is a connection to a suitable VHF antenna or suitable VHF-AIS antenna splitter. 

The waterproof construction makes the WatchMate WMR850 ideal for cockpit mounting and it also features an NMEA output, so it can be interconnected with other onboard electronics that can display AIS data such as colour chart plotters.  It is the perfect AIS display for the helmsman with an ultra clear display of target data.  It operates on either 12v/24v and consumes just 3 watts.