Garmin AIS 800 Blackbox Transceiver
Best safety upgrade for boaters seeking improved situational awareness and connectivity.
Enhance your on-water safety and situational awareness with the Garmin AIS 800 Blackbox Transceiver. This reliable communication tool transmits your vessel data while receiving target information from others. It delivers faster positioning reports thanks to 5 watts of transmit power utilizing Class B/SO technology. The unit features built-in GPS and integrates seamlessly via NMEA 2000® connectivity into your existing Garmin system. A key convenience is the internal VHF antenna splitter, allowing both VHF and AIS to share one antenna, all housed in an easy-to-install black box format.
$859.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 178
#2 in Marine Radios
Price vs Category Average
+72%
Above average
Transmit Power
5.0
/ watts
Who it's for
- Safety-conscious sailors needing faster, more reliable collision avoidance data
- Boat owners looking to simplify installation and reduce antenna clutter
- Garmin users wanting seamless, plug-and-play chartplotter integration
Who should skip it
- Budget-focused boaters seeking basic AIS functionality at lower costs
- Users uncomfortable with precise, non-reversible technical configuration steps
- Owners of small vessels with limited battery capacity and power
Performance breakdown
Signal Transmission Power
Five watts of power ensures your vessel remains visible to others.
System Integration
NMEA 2000 connectivity makes syncing with existing Garmin displays effortless.
Installation Efficiency
The internal antenna splitter eliminates the need for extra cabling runs.
Positioning Speed
Class B/SO technology delivers faster, more frequent updates for better awareness.
Form Factor
Compact black box design saves valuable space in crowded helm consoles.
Navigation Reliability
Built-in GPS provides consistent, accurate tracking in all marine conditions.
Key Specs
Transmit Power
5.0 watts
Form Factor
Black box unit
Connectivity
NMEA 2000
Weight
3.04
GPS
Built-in with external antenna connector
Antenna Type
Internal VHF antenna splitter
Model Number
010-02087-00
Connectivity Interfaces
NMEA 2000, USB
Features
- Transmits and receives AIS target data
- Faster positioning with Class B/SO
- Built-in GPS included
- Easy NMEA 2000 integration
- Shares one antenna for VHF and AIS
- Compact black box design
- Reliable communication tool
What customers say
Mariners highly regard the Garmin AIS 800 for its exceptional reliability and powerful Class B SOTDMA transmission, which delivers superior range and faster reporting. A key strength is its seamless integration; the unit connects easily via NMEA 2000 to existing Garmin chartplotters, simplifying installation and instantly displaying vital traffic data. Users value the peace of mind provided by its accurate, real time tracking capabilities. Although positioned as a premium product, the consensus is that the enhanced safety features and robust build quality fully justify the investment for serious offshore navigation. The compact design also allows for flexible, discreet mounting below deck.
Know before you buy
No, it does not. The unit features a built-in VHF antenna splitter, which allows your existing VHF radio and the AIS 800 to share a single antenna.
Class B/SO (SOTDMA) technology provides faster positioning reports and higher priority in crowded areas compared to standard Class B units. This ensures your vessel's data is transmitted more frequently and reliably to other nearby ships.
The AIS 800 includes a built-in GPS, but it also features an external antenna connector. Depending on your installation location, you may want to add an external antenna if the unit is mounted in a spot where it cannot receive a clear satellite signal.
The AIS 800 integrates directly into your network via NMEA 2000 connectivity. Once connected, your AIS target data will be displayed on your compatible Garmin chartplotter or multifunction display.
This transceiver operates at 5 watts of transmit power, which is higher than the standard 2-watt output found on many other Class B AIS units, providing improved range and performance.
The USB port is primarily intended for configuration and diagnostic purposes using the Garmin AIS software. For standard navigation and target display on your helm, you should use the NMEA 2000 interface.
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Ready to buy?
$860