I have replaced my old chartplotter with a dedicated PC running Nobeltec MaxPro software. I would like to connect my electronic compass and my depth sounder both with NMEA 0183 outputs to the PC using a USB connection. This is intended for display only purposes. I was able to find an ALBA-NDC-4 USB NMEA Data Multiplexer online from a company in Spain, but they have not returned my email asking for North American distribution. http://www.emminet.com/ Can someone please point me to a North American source for a similar device or suggest an alternative? Steve Burgis Summer Triangle 36 Albin now in the water at St. Clair MI

Steve Burgis wrote: > I have replaced my old chartplotter with a dedicated PC running Nobeltec > MaxPro software. I would like to connect my electronic compass and my depth > sounder both with NMEA 0183 outputs to the PC using a USB connection. This > is intended for display only purposes. > > > > I was able to find an ALBA-NDC-4 USB NMEA Data Multiplexer online from a > company in Spain, but they have not returned my email asking for North > American distribution. > The NDC-4 is an Actisense product, available from many sources, Blue Heron, NavStore, etc. Google Actisense. Not cheap, but many available options in that product line. When you find a source for those, you'll also find alternate options for other mfg. Noland comes to mind. steve sipe Solo 4303 "Maerin"

"Steve Burgis" <steve@burgis.org> writes: >I have replaced my old chartplotter with a dedicated PC running Nobeltec >MaxPro software. I would like to connect my electronic compass and my depth >sounder both with NMEA 0183 outputs to the PC using a USB connection. This >is intended for display only purposes. I have the exact same setup as you do. Don't bother with the single-port USP to Serial adapters, they are crap. I got a Qatec 8 port unit, $369 and it wor ks flawlessly with my Nobeltec (see http://www.quatech.com/catalog/usb_2.0.ph p). One great advantage of so many ports is that you don't have to futz aroun d hardwiring various devices. You can just run them all into the Qatec and th en use the NMEA repeater software in Nobeltec to send the desired data out th e desired port (e.g. route the compass and GPS data to the autopilot, route t he GSP data to the external radar, etc.) Scott Welch Product Manager, Open Text Collaboration and Social Media Group www.opentext.com 905 762 6101 "Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out ." - John Wooden