FA-50 Class B AIS Transponder
Best safety upgrade for boaters prioritizing collision avoidance and situational awareness.
Enhance your vessel's safety with the Furuno FA-50 Class B AIS Transponder. This essential marine device facilitates collision avoidance by broadcasting and receiving critical vessel data. It features an integrated high-sensitivity GPS receiver for accurate positioning and a VHF transmitter for broadcasting your ship's information. Designed as a compact black box unit, it offers flexible installation options and complies with major maritime standards for reliable operation. This unit is in excellent physical condition, though the MMSI may require professional resetting. It is sold as-is, with only the components shown in the photos included.
$514.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 178
#2 in Marine Radios
Price vs Category Average
+3%
Above average
Type
Class B AIS Transponder
/ Class B AIS Transponder
Who it's for
- Mariners prioritizing long-term reliability and rugged marine-grade hardware
- Captains needing compatibility with diverse legacy and modern navigation systems
- Navigators operating in busy waterways requiring proactive collision avoidance
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious boaters seeking the most affordable entry-level AIS options
- Non-technical owners preferring a simple, plug-and-play installation process
- Installers looking to minimize wiring and external antenna mounting requirements
Performance breakdown
Collision Avoidance
Dual-channel TDMA receivers provide robust, real-time situational awareness for safer navigation.
Positioning Accuracy
Internal 12-channel GPS ensures reliable, high-precision vessel tracking in diverse conditions.
System Integration
NMEA 2000 and 0183 support allow for seamless connectivity with existing electronics.
Build Durability
Rugged black box construction meets rigorous maritime standards for long-term reliability.
Installation Flexibility
Compact form factor simplifies mounting in tight spaces aboard smaller vessels.
Regulatory Compliance
Fully certified to meet international maritime safety and communication standards.
Key Specs
Type
Class B AIS Transponder
GPS Receiver
Internal 12-channel all-in-view with differential capability
Compliance
IMO MSC. 140(76) Annex 3, ITU-R M.1371-2, IEC 60945
Receiver Configuration
Two parallel VHF channel TDMA receivers
Data Output
Position, COG, and SOG
Form Factor
Black Box
Connectivity Interfaces
NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183
Integrated Safety Features
Automatic Identification System, GPS
Features
- Essential for collision avoidance
- Integrated high-sensitivity GPS
- Broadcasts vessel information via VHF
- Compact black box design
- Outputs critical navigation data
- Enhances situational awareness
- Compliant with maritime standards
- Reliable marine performance
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Furuno FA-50 for its exceptional reliability and robust build quality, often calling it a dependable, fit and forget device. A key strength is its superior integration, especially via NMEA 2000, ensuring seamless communication with various Multi-Function Displays. Users report clear transmission and reception, noting the unit delivers excellent range and quick target acquisition, significantly boosting situational awareness and safety on the water. While the initial cost is higher than some alternatives, experienced mariners feel the premium price is justified by the long term performance and peace of mind provided by this top tier safety investment.
Know before you buy
The FA-50 is a transponder that broadcasts your vessel's identity, position, speed, and course to other nearby ships while simultaneously receiving their data. This significantly improves situational awareness and helps with collision avoidance in busy waterways.
The FA-50 features an integrated high-sensitivity GPS receiver. Depending on your specific installation and the location of the black box unit, you may still need an external GPS antenna to ensure a clear view of the sky for accurate positioning.
The unit supports both NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 connectivity interfaces. This allows it to easily share navigation data like COG (Course Over Ground) and SOG (Speed Over Ground) with your compatible chartplotters or multi-function displays.
Because this is a pre-owned device, the previous owner's MMSI number may still be programmed into the unit. You will likely need to have this professionally reset or reconfigured with your own vessel's unique MMSI number to ensure legal and accurate operation.
The black box form factor means the main processing unit is designed to be mounted out of sight, such as behind a console or in an equipment locker. You will only need to ensure it is connected to your VHF antenna, power source, and navigation network.
Yes, the FA-50 is built to meet major international standards, including IMO MSC. 140(76) and IEC 60945. It is designed for reliable performance in demanding marine environments.
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