Basics - NMEA2000 (N2K) is a new protocol to exchange information between marine electronics components. Most people are intimidated by it as the various manufacturers have not done a good job at explaining how it all works. We'll try to do that here. I will start with this statement - N2K is unbelievably easy. If you start to overthink things and get confused please refer back to that statement.
A N2K network is basically a length of N2K cable with a N2K power source and a terminator on each end. That's it. Now that the network is established you can pull a terminator off the end, add a N2K "T" connector, pop the terminator back on the end of the "T" and run a device (such as a N2K GPS antenna) off the bottom of that T. All N2K T's work the same, most are labeled. Basically the T will carry the network across the horizontal part (as you view "T" in a sentence) and the device will plug into the vertical part. As long as you follow these simple rules you can use your imagination to build a N2K network to suit your boat. For example, you can put extension cables between T's, use extension cables from T's to the device, put T's next to each other, etc.
With that said there is all kinds of neat N2K stuff hitting the market to give you even more flexibilty. These include inline terminators, double T's, drop boxes, etc. Don't get confused on me now, I'll explain these things below.
All mainstream brands of electronics have adopted N2K, but some still have big heads and refuse to use the standard N2K connector. Two notable examples here are Raymarine and Simrad. Luckily all N2K cables have thesame color wires inside so splicing cables, even among brands, is as easy as matching up colors. Lowrance(red and black, not blue), Garmin, Maretron, Airmar, and Furuno all use the standard Micro-C Plug.
The grandaddy of N2K is Maretron. Theyoffer the highest quality cables and connectors. If money is no object we advise using maretron components to build your network.Lowrance and Garmin both make a full line-up of consumer-grade components with Garmin being the less expensive of the two. These components are suitable for just about any application.
If you have N2K questions please discuss them in our forum:
www.TheMarineScene.com Component Guide: Basic Supplies: All of these componensts are fully compatible with each other Cabling: Garmin Lowrance Maretron Pre-made cables 1',
2M,
6M,
10M 2',
15',
25' .5M,
1M,
2M,
3M,
4M,
5M, 6M,
7M,
8M,
9M,
10M Specialty Cables Right Angle Cable 2M male to female 90 degree
T Connectors Single T Single T Single T Qradruple T Power Cables Garmin (requires T) Female w/terminator (plugs into male end of network instead of terminator)
Power T w/1M cable Male w/terminator (plugs into female end of network instead of terminator)
Power T w/5M cable Power Cable w/T Terminators Male,
Female Male,
Female Male,
Female Advanced Supplies: when you feel like getting creative Inline Terminators: Inline terminators actually go in place of a terminator on the end of a network. Contrary to the advice above to always have a device come from the bottom of a T - the inline terminator actually allows you to put a device off the end of a T. As long as this terminator is in place a device will work fine on the end of your last T.
Garmin Lowrance Maretron Inline Terminator 15' Inline Terminator Cable Inline Terminator Drop Boxes Drop boxes allow you to pull multiple devices off the bottom of 1 T. Basically, the drop box will plug into the bottom of the T, then 4 different devices can be plugged into the drop box.
4 Port with .5M,
1M,
2M,
3M,
4M, or
5M cable.
Field Attachable Connectors Sorry for the saying, but these really are the best thing since sliced cheese. Field attachable connectors allow you to easily put a N2K plug on the end of any N2K cable. The plugs are color coded inside to make matching wires to pins a breeze. Small screws inside allow solderless connections. Each plug takes less then 5 minutes to install - Very Easy!
Garmin Lowrance Maretron Male,
Female Male,
Female Adapters Like we said earlier, not all manufacturers have adopted the Micro-C plug. So we have plenty of adapters available.
Garmin Lowrance Maretron Female red to female blue N2K to Yamaha Command Link Male red to male blue Yamaha Command Link to N2K Simnet to N2K N2K to Simnet Raymarine E-Series to N2K N2K to 0183 It is possible to convert N2K to NMEA0183 and vice versa. Maretron makes a great device for this. Still a bit pricey buit it gets the job done. Be sure to see Maretrons
Guide to see what sentences will go through this device.
Garmin Lowrance Maretron NMEA2000 to NMEA0183 Devices There are lots and lots and lots of neat new N2K devices hitting the market what seems like every day. Here is a breakdown of the most popular. Weather>>>[*]
Maretron Weather Sensor[*]Aimar Ultrasonic Weather Sensor[*]
Garmin Wind Sensor [/list]
Lowrance Sensors>>>[*]
Fuel Flow[*]
Water Speed[*]
Tank Level[*]
Water Temp (transom)[*]
Water Temp (thru hull)[/list]
Engine Interfaces>>>[*]
Lowrance EP-20 Etec,
Yamaha,
Suzuki[*]
Maretron Yanmar[*]
Maretron EMS100 Analog Engine Adapter[*]
Maretron J2K100 to N2K[/list]
Maretron Sensors>>>[*]
Battery Sensor[*]
DC Current Sensor[*]
AC Current Sensor[*]
DC Monitor[*]
AC Monitor [*]
Rudder Angle[*]
Temp[*]
Tank Level[*]
Heading Sensor [/list]
GPS Sensors>>>[*]
Garmin[*]
Lowrance[*]Airmar[*]
Maretron[/list]
Garmin Sensors>>>[*]Depth/Temp (transom)[*]
Fuel Flow/Tank Level[*]Depth/temp (thru hull)[/list]
N2K Data Displays Garmin[*]
GMI10 3.5" Color[/list]
Lowrance[*]
LMF200 - 2" Monochrome[*]
LMF400 - 4" Monochrome[/list]
Maretron[*]
DSM200 - Monochrome[*]
DSM250 - Color[/list]
Furuno[*]
FI-50 Monochrome[/list]
Software/Tools Maretron[*]
N2KVIEW Software[*]
Diagnostics Tool[*]
USB100 USB Gateway[/list]
NMEA2000 - Buyers Guide - How To 
