Digital Yacht have just launched iKonvert, a new NMEA 2000 NMEA 0183 converter designed to make interfacing new and old devices in your boat’s electronic system possible.  It allows older, legacy NMEA 0183 instruments to work with modern multi function displays which now almost exclusively utilise NMEA 2000.  It can also allow new chart plotters to provide data to older VHF radios, autopilot or instrument displays.

It’s often frustrating for a boat owner to have to change a complete system when just one component requires updating. iKonvert resolves a lot of these issues.

Installation is simple.   It’s self powered from the boat’s NMEA 2000 backbone and simply “T’s” into the network.

A bi-directional NMEA 0183 NMEA 2000 converter

iKonvert has been designed to satisfy as many of these situations as possible. Conversions are bi-directional. For example, you may want to get the data from older NMEA0183 sensors on to your NMEA2000 network. Another reason being you have a new NMEA2000 only MFD and want GPS and Navigation data sent to your older NMEA0183 VHF and Autopilot. iKonvert can be used to accurately and intelligently carry out the required data conversions.

We often help our customers with their electronic systems. You can see below a customer system which needed 3 iKonvert to work in different modes. One iKonvert to work in AIS mode for the chartplotter to receive AIS data, one iKonvert in Wind mode for the wind unit to appear as a genuine wind source on the NMEA 2000 backbone and then the last iKonvert for the coursemaster autopilot to receive the data from the NMEA 2000 backbone.

iKonvert is also available with a USB interface to allow NMEA 2000 connections to a PC, MAC or even Raspberry Pi. Electronic chart plotting programs on these devices can then take advantage of data from your latest electronic on board systems.

Both versions are priced at £110 plus vat and are available now.  More information at www.digitalyacht.co.uk

You can download a full dealer information pack from HERE