PRODUCT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Welcome to our product information and update page. On this page you will find useful information about new products, updates on products currently in commission, and data on the newest equipment available in the industry.

At A.C.E. we strive to bring you the best and latest products in the marine electronic industry. Having the right tools and equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently is important.  I wanted to talk to you today about an item some of you may already be familiar with.

The Em-Trak Buoy Tracker.

A high-quality professional fishing Buoy tracking transponder that enables you to reliably locate and protect your fishing buoys in all-weather types. 

Key features include:

AIS AtoN (Type 1) transceiver. Buoy-Tracker uses internationally certified AIS technology to continuously transmit its exact GPS location to your existing navigation display! This enables you to precisely track and locate your buoys.

This product allows you to easily and reliably electronically mark your buoys, with exact GPS position and unique identification displayed on your chart display using a standard buoy icon. Buoy markers are signified by an AtoN (aid to navigation) as opposed to indicating a vessel. Buoys can be identified by the vessel name initials and type of gear. This cuts back on-screen clutter and allows customization. A smart transmitter installed within the Tracker, listens for signals, transmits when frequency is empty and will not override other AIS Transmissions. Buoy Tracker is also equipped with a geo-fence that automatically turns off the equipment when the vessel is within the 12-mile boundary of US waters.

Buoy-Tracker is made from high grade light weight, rugged, water and weatherproof plastics for continuous long-term reliable operation in even the toughest marine environment.  Meaning greater longevity and lower maintenance. It is equipped with a flagpole holder that turns on the tracker when inserted and turns the tracker off when removed. This extends the life of the battery and eliminates transmitting while in transit or idle in the harbor. Buoy-Tracker operates continuously (based on a 5-minute transmission rate) for up to 120 hours between charges allowing for your equipment to operate for longer periods in the field.

Over the past few years, the advantages of AIS such as cost-effective transceivers and free over the air transmissions have been utilized by fisherman around the world to mark fishing buoys and nets. However, in many cases the use of ultra-low cost, uncertified AIS Class B devices rather than using a certified AIS AtoN transceiver is compromising the AIS network and therefore, Ultimately safety.

There are three major issues with the using low cost uncertified Class B AIS devices to mark small fishing buoys. First, the AIS Class B standard was developed for AIS transponders used by smaller vessels and leisure craft. Therefore, the transmission from the AIS device on the buoy is misleadingly shown on an electronic chart display as a vessel rather than a buoy.

Secondly, the use of the uncertified transponders that do not correctly work within the AIS framework of transmission slots can lead to message collision and disrupts legitimate AIS transmissions. This can have safety implications if vessels in distress or commercial vessels have their messages blocked. Thirdly, the quality and published specifications of many devices, dose not correspond to their actual performance and feedback from many suppliers globally indicates that the transceivers do not work or do not work for long.

This is the benefit of using the Buoy-Tracker instead of using AIS Class B equipment to mark buoys. It is the only reliable and safe way to mark fishing buoys. Buoy-Tracker uses high quality certified AIS transceivers compared to the uncertified Class B AIS devices. Buoy-Tracker units transmit the correct AIS AtoN (aid to navigation) and allow the user to mark their device as a buoy rather than a vessel.  

Em-Trak has over twenty years of product design and engineering heritage. We believe their products (specifically Buoy-Tracker) offers the very best in reliability, usability, and operational performance. It has always been our mission to bring you the very best in commercial marine products. We believe this piece of equipment certainly has the ability to make your life easier.

For more information and pricing feel free to contact us at the shop. Shop hours are Mon-Fri 9-3 pm. Or give us a call at 907-772-3893.

We currently have this item in stock and ready to go home with you today!

As always thank you for choosing A.C.E. and trusting the one who has been helping you find your way since 1986!

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