[C320-list] ST4000+ interfacing with NMEA2000 instruments

[artstree at aol.com]

I have a 741 and have used it for two seasons. It is not interconnected to
anything so I can't help in that arena. Besides I am just now getting to
know my 320  with this being my first season on her. I would like to offer
on comment about the 741 and the touch screen. Touch screens work great at
the dock or in calm conditions but a slight bump during heavy weather or
waves and you quickly change the screen. It has not been a big issue but
one I have noticed from time to time. 

Art Harden
Tortuga -Catalina 320
937-477-5544

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Doug Treff
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 1:00 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] ST4000+ interfacing with NMEA2000 instruments

Everyone,

I am embarking on a refit of most of my electronics in the off-season. I
have already purchased the major components of the new system:

Garmin 741 MFD
Garmin GWind & Depth package with a GMI20 display an additional GMI20
display

All of this new gear will of course be interconnected with NMEA2000
cabling. Pretty straightforward install.

Here's the tricky part: I am electing to keep my existing (and still
working) Raytheon ST4000+ Wheel Pilot for now. I'd like to interface the
ST4000+ with my new gear so that I can steer to waypoints AND apparent
wind angle. I understand that the Garmin 741 MFD has an
NMEA0183 port on the back and that I could connect that to my Autopilot.
What I am unsure about is whether the 741 will also forward wind angle
information over to the ST4000 so that I can steer a wind angle heading.
Do you know if that data is sent by the 741 MFD or does it only send
heading and XTE data?

If the 741 will not handle sending that data, I have been looking at the
ActiSense NGW-1 (
http://www.actisense.com/products/nmea-2000/ngw-1/ngw-1.html ) as a
possible way to get the setup that I want. It looks like a pretty slick
way of interfacing single NMEA0183 devices on a boat that is mostly
converted to NMEA2000.

I've also seen the Raymarine Seatalk1 to SeatalkNG adapter (
http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=400&collectionid=197&col=1597 )and
thought that might work but it's got more ports than I will realistically
need for this application.

Surprisingly, the Actisense product is about twice the cost of the
Raymarine...

I was wondering if any you have first hand knowledge of the specific
situation that I am dealing with, and if you could offer any guidance.
I have reached out to Garmin to see if they can confirm what data is sent
from the 741 over the NMEA0183 port, but have not received an answer yet.

Thanks!

--
Doug Treff
September Song
Hull #350
doug at treff.us