Welcome to the Panbo Marine Technology Forums.
So I’m looking to add AiS Type B to my boat. And this forum has been quite helpful. In fact, I learned a lot about Digital Yacht, Vesper and em-trak here. This question is about Digital Yacht’s RF splitters. My current plan is to get an RF splitter to share the VHF antenna with both my radio and AIS system. Ignoring for the time being whether that’s best, it’s what I’m doing. So I’ll need a splitter. DY makes the SPL1500 and SPL2000. I’ve read the specs on both and, other than aesthetics, I can’t tell what the difference is between them to justify paying more for one or the other. Can anyone here explain the difference? And for a recreational boater, is one preferable?
Thanks,
Steve
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The SPL2000 has an output for an FM radio. That's all I can spot.
That's all I can spot too.... radio tuner connection. The SPL2000 looks like more of their modern products, whilst the SPL1500 looks like their previous generation products in terms of the outside case.
Editor, SeaBits.com
The folks at BOE said “there aren’t any technical differences between the two. The specs are the same for each. “. Which clearly isn’t true because of the FM interface. But I’m not sure an FM output and a more modern case makes up for the price difference. Especially for a device that will be out of sight.
Thanks to all who responded. Irrespective of this I’ve decided to go with a Vesper XB6000 and their splitter.
I posed the same question to Digital Yacht themselves and here's the answer I got from them:
The SPL1500 matches the AIT1500 series (aesthetically) and the SPL2000 matches the AIT2000 series. The technology inside is identical. The SPL2000 also has a FM radio output
Ben
Publisher, Panbo.com
I posed the same question to Digital Yacht themselves and here's the answer I got from them:
The SPL1500 matches the AIT1500 series (aesthetically) and the SPL2000 matches the AIT2000 series. The technology inside is identical. The SPL2000 also has a FM radio output
Ben
Points for honesty! So, $40-$50 for a prettier exterior and an FM output (that likely most won't use). To be fair, the SPL2000 outputs are better laid out, pointing down, so as to help prevent any moisture ingress. And they say the SPL2000 is smaller, and that is a real benefit for many of us even if it's hard to quantify. Mystery solved!