AIS Receivers are a cost effective way of seeing which vessels are in your environment, yet not being seen yourself. They are able to receive AIS data broadcast from other devices and show it on a connected display, but don't transmit any data themselves.

As with Class B units, receivers cannot be used on vessels that fall under Class A AIS regulations. Receivers are aimed at small craft who want to stay safe by ensuring any potential collisions are avoided, whilst keeping the fun aspect of AIS by easily contacting boats in range; finding friends and monitoring boats as they sail past.

Receivers can be connected to many different displays with a host of different outputs available including NMEA0183, NMEA2000 and USB. This allows easy connection to chart plotters, radar and computers.

When purchasing a receiver, you need to consider:

• It's price
• Dimensions
• Whether it is a single unit or multiple units
• If it comes complete with a display
• It's user interface
• What approvals it comes with
• Whether it has European Inland Waterways approval
• What interfaces it comes with
• What the power supply is
• What languages are supported
• It's environmental specifications
• What accessories you get with it