On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:45:52 -0500, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

Anyway that last paragraph above seems to say it doesn't matter which
input you use, the unit will use the data when in the "Track" mode and
will display the data.

Rick

Well, that's the way that I would like to think that it works, but I'm
still not convinced. As it says, "The SmartPilot control unit can
display SeaTalk and NMEA instrument data in a user-defined selection of
data pages."

I know that it can display the data, but I didn't think that the ST600x
controller converts it to SeaTalk. I just have this feeling that
RayMarine wants to see you yet another box to do the conversion, as
mentioned in the last bullet above (SeaTalk/NMEA interface).

-- Geoff

I'm kind of getting lost here. I have a Garmin GPS connected via NMEA.
The S1 uses the GPS info to go to a waypoint or follow a route, and
displays the info from the GPS - goto a waypoint on the GPS, hit
"Track" on the S1, it beeps and gives a turn direction and course, hit
"Track" again and the S1 steers to the waypoint or follows the route.

The only connection between the S1 computer and controller is Seatalk,
so it must be converting NMEA to Seatalk.

Rick