Navico NAIS-500 Class B AIS w/GPS-500 Antenna
Best safety upgrade for boaters seeking reliable collision avoidance and navigation.
Enhance your vessel's safety and navigation with the Navico NAIS-500 Class B AIS Transponder. This system significantly reduces collision risks by broadcasting your vessel's identity and location while receiving data from other AIS-equipped vessels. It includes the GPS-500 antenna for precise positioning and offers flexible connectivity via NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183 with multiplexing, and USB. Its robust, IPX7 water-resistant construction and low power draw make it a reliable and efficient choice for any boater.
$879.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
94
/ 238
#94 in Marine Chartplotters & GPS
Price vs Category Average
-54%
Below average
AIS Class
B (Receive/Transmit)
/ B (Receive/Transmit)
Who it's for
- Cruisers navigating busy harbors and high-traffic shipping lanes
- Boaters wanting a complete, ready-to-install safety solution
- Skippers with existing NMEA 2000 marine electronics networks
Who should skip it
- Commercial captains requiring high-frequency Class A transmission standards
- DIY installers looking for a simple, single-antenna setup
- Budget-conscious sailors seeking basic AIS reception only
Performance breakdown
Collision Avoidance Reliability
Class B transmission ensures your vessel remains visible to nearby commercial traffic.
Connectivity Versatility
Seamless integration across NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, and USB standards.
Marine Durability
IPX7 water resistance provides peace of mind in harsh, wet environments.
Power Efficiency
Minimal current draw preserves battery life during long offshore passages.
Installation Flexibility
Compact footprint allows for straightforward mounting in tight navigation consoles.
Positioning Precision
Dedicated GPS-500 antenna delivers highly accurate location data for reliable tracking.
Key Specs
AIS Class
B (Receive/Transmit)
GPS Included
Yes
Antenna Included
Yes (VHF/AIS/FM splitter)
Water Resistance Rating
IPX7
Operating Voltage Range
9.6-31.2V
Average Power Consumption
180mA at 12V
Connectivity
NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, USB
Certifications
IEC 60945 Protected
Features
- Collision avoidance with Class-B AIS
- Compact and lightweight design
- Flexible data routing with NMEA multiplexing
- Robust, marine-tested construction
- Energy-efficient low power draw
- Multiple digital and analog connection ports
- IPX7 water-resistant design
- Includes GPS-500 antenna
What customers say
Mariners consistently praise the Navico NAIS 500 for its outstanding reliability and significant contribution to marine safety. Its robust performance, offering transmission and reception range that frequently exceeds expectations for a Class B transponder, is a key highlight. The unit seamlessly integrates with Navico chartplotters via NMEA 2000, and its dedicated GPS antenna ensures rapid satellite acquisition and precise positioning. Despite a minor initial programming step, the exceptional build quality and top tier reliability provide invaluable peace of mind. This indispensable safety investment offers excellent value, making it a highly recommended choice for boaters prioritizing security on the water.
Know before you buy
The NAIS-500 broadcasts your vessel's identity, position, speed, and heading to other nearby AIS-equipped ships while simultaneously receiving their data. This significantly improves situational awareness and collision avoidance in busy waterways or low-visibility conditions.
No, the NAIS-500 comes bundled with the GPS-500 antenna, which provides the precise positioning data required for the transponder to function correctly.
Yes, the unit is highly flexible and supports NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, and USB connectivity. This allows it to integrate seamlessly with most modern chartplotters and multi-function displays.
Yes, the unit features an IPX7 water-resistant rating, meaning it is built to withstand harsh marine environments, including accidental immersion in water.
The unit is designed for energy efficiency with an average power consumption of 180mA at 12V. This low draw makes it an excellent choice for vessels where battery management is a priority.
NMEA multiplexing allows the NAIS-500 to combine data from multiple sources and route it to your display. This simplifies your wiring setup by allowing you to feed various data streams through a single connection point.
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