HDS 5 and Smart Gauges - Confused

[Tupelo]

Hi Everyone,

I have been doing research on connecting my Optimax 115 to my Lowrance HDS 5 (Gen 2) and have to say I am confused.

From what I can tell in the Lowrance, I have all the necessary gauges (in particular I want RPM). Where I am confused......what exactly do I need to make the connection?

I want to make sure I buy the right stuff.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

[rwl]

I think you need a merc monitor guage, not a smartcraft guage, that or a vesselview. Merc uses different communication and it needs to have one of these two to convert it to NMEA2000.

There was talk about a less expensive option coming hopefully someone has more information on it.

At least that is how I understand it.

[1860Angler]

As of now a MercMontor Gauge is required to connect to your NMEA 2000 network. I too have heard that a cheaper NMEA 2000 Gateway is coming from Merc, but haven't seen anything yet. The MercMonitor isn't cheap, depending on how much data you want it to share they can be $600 - $1000. Here is a link to the MercMonitor:

http://www.mercurymarine.com/gauges-...l/mercmonitor/

[Hot Runr Guy]

according to my contact at Mercury, the release of the SmartCraft to NMEA2000 gateway is looking like mid to late June. So, if you can hold off a little longer, they should have the adaptor you need to see data on your HDS.
HRG

[rwl]

Any idea on pricing?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by rwl

Any idea on pricing?

sorry, I've never asked.

HRG

[Tupelo]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

according to my contact at Mercury, the release of the SmartCraft to NMEA2000 gateway is looking like mid to late June. So, if you can hold off a little longer, they should have the adaptor you need to see data on your HDS.
HRG

I would rather hold off. Will they let you know part numbers, so I can order?

If I understand correctly, that would allow me to connect the Optimax directly to the NMEA network, without the Merc Monitor gateway?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Tupelo

I would rather hold off. Will they let you know part numbers, so I can order?

If I understand correctly, that would allow me to connect the Optimax directly to the NMEA network, without the Merc Monitor gateway?

Yes, that's how I understand it.
HRG

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Tupelo

I would rather hold off. Will they let you know part numbers, so I can order?

According to my contact at Mercury, the SmartCraft to NMEA-2000 gateway has been released. The part number is 8M0065207, for a single-engine configuration.

I know nothing about price, hookups, cables etc. And since I don't even own a boat right now, I'm not going to have the chance to play around with one.

HRG

[Tupelo]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

According to my contact at Mercury, the SmartCraft to NMEA-2000 gateway has been released. The part number is 8M0065207, for a single-engine configuration.

I know nothing about price, hookups, cables etc. And since I don't even own a boat right now, I'm not going to have the chance to play around with one.

HRG

Guess I should login every once and a while and check my emails....lol. I will take a look at this, as it might be exactly what I need.

Thanks.