Review on 🚤 Humminbird 408390-1 NMEA2000 Black Box with Ethernet: Advanced Networking for Marine Electronics by Brandon Kraemer

On the 1XXX, 9XX and 8XX series units, this unit is intended to allow you to "use" NMEA 2000 data on the network. What were my expectations when purchasing: 1) Collect data from my other NMEA 2K devices on the network, 2) Create a custom display on my HB box (similar to what is shown on pages 35-37 in the installation guide), 3 ) to be able to see navigation information on my remote sensor that is not connected to my console. Everything seems reasonable, doesn't it? You get this from Lowrance, Simrad, Furuno, Garmin etc. Reason I hate it: 1) It only reads engine RPM from my network. Fuel consumption (see page 36 in the installation guide) and all other data (fuel level, engine temperature, etc.) cannot be selected. An HB spokesman said management is wrong - it's impossible. 2) The block is only one-sided. So even if the HB is receiving GPS latitude, vessel heading, speed, etc., it will NOT output that information to the NMEA 2K network. Actually, if you go to view the data window, this information is not included, even if the device writes information to itself! is this madness This way my nose gauge doesn't show depth, speed, course etc - all of this is captured by the HB unit! I loaded the latest firmware (as of June 14th). do yourself a favor If you have a newer HB device it appears to have native NMEA 2K compatibility. If you have an older unit (like my 8XXc SI) you might as well save up for a replacement - buy that $160 junk. No Lowrance sensor or device costs that much, and they really do something. HB needs to update its firmware to "really” support NMEA 2K on older devices (as their many press releases suggest). Check out a reputable marine electronics forum (e.g. Hulltruth). Now I understand why no one uses HB sonar.