Heading Sensor, 3 axis vs. 2 axis rate gyro?

[downeast450]

This is an e-mail exchange I have had with Airmar. I am trying to decide if I will suffer and how much if I buy the PB200 with the wireless weather features because its gyro is only a two axis. I certainly put a premium on accurately knowing my position. The primary reason for the purchase is to buy a heading sensor to enhance my radar's capabilities and work with an autopilot.


Will your PB200 or the GH2183 do the same job that I was expecting from the H2183? I would like the added functions of the weather information if the heading sensor function is going to be the same in my application for both sensors. I will be using the heading sensor to talk to my Garmin HD radar on the screen of my GPSMAP 3210.

Can you clear this up for me please before I make my purchase.

While they are very similar the H2183 uses a 3 axis rate gyro and the PB200 uses a 2 axis rate gyro. This difference will make the H2183 more stable in dynamic conditions.>


I want a stable heading sensor, right? How stable?

Down

[negrini]

IT's a dilemma, to stay with latest or with broadest. Personally I think there are more important points, like the kind of processor that will handle such information and the protocol that will carry it. If you install a rate-gyro in a 1200 baud NMEA, it will be a waste of money as the bus is not fast enough to provide move/acceleration information in time to process, send an autopilot command, drive move, then a counter-reaction from the vessel. Certainly a 3-axis gyro will provide a more accurate move information, but I don't believe your rudder/AP pair, will react with more or less precision. For imaging layers, it might get a more noticeable effect.

[arisatx]

Originally Posted by downeast450

This is an e-mail exchange I have had with Airmar. I am trying to decide if I will suffer and how much if I buy the PB200 with the wireless weather features because its gyro is only a two axis. I certainly put a premium on accurately knowing my position. The primary reason for the purchase is to buy a heading sensor to enhance my radar's capabilities and work with an autopilot.



Will your PB200 or the GH2183 do the same job that I was expecting from the H2183? I would like the added functions of the weather information if the heading sensor function is going to be the same in my application for both sensors. I will be using the heading sensor to talk to my Garmin HD radar on the screen of my GPSMAP 3210.

Can you clear this up for me please before I make my purchase.

While they are very similar the H2183 uses a 3 axis rate gyro and the PB200 uses a 2 axis rate gyro. This difference will make the H2183 more stable in dynamic conditions.>


I want a stable heading sensor, right? How stable?

Down

Down:

I think the other consideration is that the PB200 is at the masthead 50-60ft up, while the H2183 would probably mount on a bulkhead in the salon.

We went with both PB200, H2183 and GPS200, with some redundancy among the three on our network.

Here is a pretty good thread from SA that I've bookmarked.

[downeast450]

Ted,

Thank you for sharing the link. It was very helpful. I have decided to start with the H2183.

Down

[arisatx]

Down:

Take a look at this video showing the H2183 performance vs. competitor:

YouTube - Airmar H2183 Heading Sensor Accuracy

[downeast450]

Ted,

That says it all. What amazing technology we have now. It can become a distraction. A safe one.

Down

[arisatx]

Originally Posted by downeast450

Ted,

Thank you for sharing the link. It was very helpful. I have decided to start with the H2183.

Down

Down:

Good call - interestingly there's been some recent dialogue on PANBO re: the Furuno equivalent WS200 and how Furuno does not recommend using it for pitch and roll:

From the Furuno USA WS200 Brochure:
Pitch and Roll
Accuracy: ±1° (-45° to +45°)
Do NOT use WS-200 for applications that require
tracking accuracy of Pitch and Roll.