Vesper WatchMate XB-8000 Class B Smart AIS Transponder with WiFi

• Complete Class B AIS Transponder with smartAIS
• Waterproof to IPX7
• Includes GPS antenna, External Alarm, and Switch
• Built in Wi-Fi - Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously
• Certified NMEA 2000 Gateway
• Conects and integrates with NMEA 2000 & NMEA 0183 devices
• WatchMate App enables viewing ais anywhere onboard via a compatible smartphone

WatchMate XB-8000 is the world's only black box transponder with built-in smartAIS alarms. Get alerted with the external audible alarm included with the XB-8000 that sounds if it detects a risk in case of potential collisions, dragging anchor or man overboard situations. The alarm sounds even if the MFD or mobile device is switched off.

Complete Class B AIS Transponder

WatchMate XB-8000 is a Class B AIS transponder with a two channel parallel receiver and transmitter. It transmits the vessels 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.

smartAIS features

Unlike normal AIS which send and receive AIS data, WatchMate XB-8000 has smartAIS which is an active system with smart alarm logic that alerts rapidly to potential dangers.

smartAIS includes these three powerful features:

• Safety Underway. This alerts when smartAIS detects a potential collision.
• Safety at Anchor. If the anchor drags, smartAIS will let immediately indicate.
• Safety for the Crew. If someone falls overboard, smartAIS not only alerts, it also provides their location so they can be picked up quickly.

It allows focus on enjoying the time on the water, knowing smartAIS is always keeping watch in the background and is ready to alert the moment it detects an unwanted event.

Safety Underway - Collision Avoidance

WatchMate XB-8000 proactively alerts when there are potential collision situations.

It combines GPS data such as position, course and speed along with AIS data and smart alert logic to continually determine safety implications and provide alerts. It computes the closest point of approach and time until the closest point of approach and triggers alarms to warn of vessels posing a threat.

CPA Alarm - smartAIS computes the closest point of approach and time until CPA. A CPA alarm is triggered if a vessel will come too close in terms of CPA and the alarm is prioritised by TCPA.

Alarm Prioritization - Alarms are presented in priority order of collision risk.

Bearing and Range - Computes the bearing and range to each vessel. Bearing can be displayed in magnetic to facilitate easy visual identification using compass and binoculars. Bearings can alternatively be displayed in true degrees.

Guard Alarm - Sounds alarm if any vessel comes within the specified range. Both CPA alarms and guard alarms may be used together.

Alarm Profiles - Choose from multiple profiles according to the current situation (Offshore, Coastal, Harbor or Anchored) and the profile defines the distance notifications for alarms.

Safety at Anchor - Anchor Watch

Every boater knows that being at anchor is no guarantee of total safety. In particular, anchors can drag without those on board being aware. Thanks to Anchor Watch, however, It can be safer and sleep well at night. That's because Anchor Watch sounds the alarm if the boat drifts outside a zone defined around the anchor position. Activate the anchor watch when the anchor is droped using either a wired switch or a compatible smartphone or smartwatch remotely from the windlass or anywhere on-board.

Move Anchor Position - If the Anchor position needs fine-tuning after it has been marked, use the Move Anchor Position to make adjustments.

Breadcrumbs - XB-8000 plots the boats position in relation to the anchor and marks the positions over time for easy visual identification if the anchor is dragging.

Silent Mode

With this setting, the switch when pressed turns off AIS transmission but the transponder continues to receive AIS signals. The XB-8000 status light glows solid orange if the silent mode is enabled.

Reset Anchor Watch - With this setting, the switch when pressed drops or lifts the anchor in the anchor watch profile.

You can modify the settings of the external switch using the mobile App.

Safety for the Crew: Man Overboard (MOB) alarm

WatchMate XB-8000's Man Overboard (MOB) alarm sounds the alarm the instant somebody goes over the side and activates his AIS MOB device. The Alarm clearly identifies the MOB on the display screen and gives the location, bearing and range of the person for quick retrieval. It also provides continuous updates of position, bearing and range.

WiFi connectivity anywhere on board

WatchMate XB-8000 has built-in Wi-Fi. It can securely connect up to 5 other devices simultaneously. Have a wireless connection to a laptop, smartphone and tablet.

AIS data, GPS and Navigation instrument data over WiFi - Besides AIS data, GPS and NMEA instrument data can be shared with all mobile devices and laptops. This is exclusive to Vesper Marine smartAIS transponders. Manage the vessel's navigation, set and monitor alarms or take decisive action from anywhere on-board using a mobile device.

Connect Wirelessly to Other Devices Using WiFi 802.11 b/g - WatchMate XB-8000 provides dual WiFi configuration as either a secure Access Point supporting up to five other devices simultaneously or connected to an existing router providing WiFi expansion capability to unlimited devices.

Certified NMEA 2000 Gateway

Translates NMEA 2000 instrument data (heading, wind, depth, speed, log, temperature) and routes to mobile devices over WiFi, USB or NMEA 0183 for supporting plotters

Over WiFi, USB - All NMEA 2000 navigation data is combined with GPS and AIS data and sent simultaneously to up to five WiFi devices (tablets, smart phones, computers) as well as computers via USB. Display and use this data in navigation applications such as NavPlay, iNavX or SEAiq on an iPad. Or use Android apps and Windows or Mac navigation software.

To NMEA 0183 instruments - Integrate chart plotters, MFDs and radars using NMEA 0183 to the NMEA2000 navigation network using WatchMate XB-8000.

High resolution GPS

WatchMate XB-8000 is equipped with a fast 5Hz GPS navigation and update rate. This provides greater detail and higher resolution plotting. Displays GPS satellite status and navigation data such as the boats position, course and speed viewed from the My Vessel screen.

GPS source for navigation network - Use it as a source of GPS data on a NMEA 2000 network which means there is no need an additional GPS antenna. View GPS data on the plotter or MFD, with higher resolution and smoother tracks even during high speed maneuvers.

External GPS Antenna - An external GPS antenna connection is provided with the WatchMate XB-8000.

WatchMate App

Monitor the WatchMate XB-8000 on a tablet or smartphone using the free Vesper Marine WatchMate App. View and update the vessels information, monitor AIS data, navigation information and GPS status from anywhere on board. Be alerted of potential risk situations to take decisive action. More than a simple mobile AIS viewer, It can also remotely control alerts, alarms and transponder settings.

AIS-equipped vessels can be viewed on an easy to use radar plotting screen.

Instant Target Acquisition - The WatchMate App is the only mobile app with instant identification of other vessels. All other apps and MFDs take time for AIS targets to appear, but the WatchMate app takes advantage of unique NMEA gateway capabilities of the WatchMate XB-8000, so it displays all received vessel information the instant the app is started.

Alarm Setting - Activate the Anchor Watch on the WatchMate XB-8000 from anywhere on the boat. Monitor the position relative to the anchor location on any Apple or Android phone or tablet and receive alarms anywhere on board.

Third-party apps - In addition, the WatchMate XB-8000 is supported by a growing set of third-party mobile apps and we often post reviews of iOS and Android apps for compatibility and features. Interact with applications such as NavPlay, iNavX, SEAiq and iRegatta on iPad, WatchMate, droidAIS, Sailtracker and iRegatta on Android tablets or favorite navigation software on computer (Windows or Mac). 

Get the Vesper WatchMate iOS App on the Apple App Store here

Get the Vesper WatchMate Android App on the Google Play Store here

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