ComNav Marine 1420 Autopilot System
The Navigation Interface
The 1420 Autopilot System can use
navigation data information sent to it
from a navigation device (such as a
GPS receiver or a chartplotter), if the
data is in NMEA 0183 format.
See page 38 for navigation input
connection instructions.
By using the vessel’s current Heading
information (from a fluxgate compass or
magnetic sensor), and the data from the
navigation device, the Autopilot can
steer your vessel along a Course line to
a Waypoint. The Autopilot can also
steer your vessel through a series of
Waypoints which the navigation device
has grouped together as a Route.
NOTE: the Autopilot can NOT steer by
the information from the navigation
device alone!
NMEA 0183
The 1420 can receive information from
GPS, plotters, and/or other devices, in
the National Marine Electronics
Association’s NMEA 0183 language.
Below is the list of the NMEA 0183 data
sentences from which the Autopilot can
obtain navigation data, and the order of
priority in which the 1420 can use these
sentences:
1. RMB + RMC
2. RMB + RMA
3. APB
4. APA
5. XTE + BOD
6. XTE + HSC
7. VBW
8. VHW
9. VTG
Note: ComNav Autopilots fully conform to
the syntax of the NMEA 0183 Standard’s
language.
However, not all models & types of
“navigation equipment” do in fact conform
to the NMEA standard (especially older
models).
It sometimes happens that statements in
the data sheets, brochures, etc. of a given
GPS, plotter, etc. that it “provides
navigation data” only mean that the data
is provided in the manufacturer's own
(non-NMEA, and often proprietary)
language.
So, if you are purchasing a GPS, plotter,
etc., make sure that it does transmit
enough of the NMEA 0183 data
sentences listed here that the 1420 has
sufficient, useable “navigation data”.
If you have further questions about the
purchase of a navigation device, or if you
experience difficulties using the NAV
MODE of your 1420 Autopilot, please
contact your ComNav Dealer.
Document PN 29010012 V1.3
49
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