handheld gps w/ 0183

[oceansmasher]

Can I buy a handheld that would allow me to connect to auto pilot and receive signal for a back up unit .

[HDRyder999]

I have a Garmin Geko 201 that outputs Lat/Lon via NMEA 183. You could connect it to an autopilot to provide postiton information.

[Kerry]

Yes

[sickcat]

What AP? A handheld may or may not output the NMEA sentences for the AP to perform all its functions. You should be able to do the basics.

[SeaSwirler23]

Most garmin's do, look for something basic like a map76, just in case you want to add plotting detail later, the nmea out + is the brown wire in the 4 pin power/data cable that you can get for it. Assuming your pilot also has a nmea in -, run a jumper wire from that connection to wherever the garmin black (power -) is run, verify that the com port is set to nmea 0183 and 4800 baud in the setup menu, and you are off to the races.

[oceansmasher]

I have a s1000 auto pilot if that makes a difference, I'm heading over to the bahamas to check out a couple new places I've never been this wekend and I don't trust the unit I have now , so I was wanting something I could just plug into auto pilot and get me there and back . It might sound crazy but if I don't have auto pilot it just sucks for long trips

[sandyda]

Its not too hard to figure out: your autopilot manual will tell you what gps words it uses to steer by, and your Garmin manual will have a list of the gps words it puts out on nmea.