Garmin Requirements for Different Types of Wind and Vessel Data

This FAQ focuses on the combination of devices needed to produce and display different types of wind and vessel data. To learn more about this data, see Sailing Terminology and Definitions. The information listed is the most common wind and vessel data used with wind instruments. Depending on the type of water speed transducer, heading sensor, or other configurations, the user may have more information available.

A GMI series or GNX series combined with a wind transducer, water speed paddle, and heading sensor

• gWind transducer: gWind wired or gWind Wireless 2 Wind transducer

• Water speed paddle wheel transducer: DST 800, DST 810, GST 43; Heading sensor: SteadyCast, 9-Axis Heading Sensor, GPS 24xd, MSC -10

A GMI or GNX connected to a gWind transducer and the following devices provide the following wind data:

• gWind transducer only = AWA and AWS

• GST43  = AWA, AWS, TWA, TWS, and BSP*

• GST 43 + heading sensor = AWA, AWS, TWA, TWS, BSP, and TWD*

If additional Raw Data sources (devices) are added to the network, it may display more data. Adding a Garmin chartplotter with GPS provides additional information. Chartplotters can calculate both "Raw Data and Calculated Data" from several sources and display data over the NMEA 2000 network. 

*The vessel must be moving (paddle wheel spinning and gWind operating) to calculate and present the difference between AWA, AWS and TWA, TWS, and BSP.

Using a chartplotter with GPS for wind data

Adding or combining single raw data sources like a wind transducer, paddle wheel, or a heading sensor with a chartplotter creates calculated data displayed and used in the network. As a result, more wind and vessel information may be available.

Depending on the chartplotter model, the following sentences are possible when combined with wind transducers, water speed wheels, and heading sensors wind and vessel data produced. A GNX or GMI is not required if there is a chartplotter with GPS in the network. 

AWA, AWS, TWA, TWS, TWD, BSP, SOG, GPS Heading (COG), Waypoint VMG,* Wind VMG,* and Laylines*

The following data types are produced and available on a chartplotter with GPS. 

Chartplotter + gWind transducer = AWA, AWS, TWS, TWS, TWD, COG, SOG, and Waypoint VMG*

Chartplotter + gWind transducer + paddle wheel = AWA, AWS, TWS, TWA, TWD, BSP, Wind VMG,* Waypoint VMG,* and Laylines*

Utilizing various data sources will allow the chartplotter to calculate more options for the user. A GPS antenna, water paddle wheel, heading sensor, and wind transducer will provide more wind data than simply having a wind transducer and chartplotter connected. 

If the devices are not presenting the wind data, see No Wind Data

*Waypoint VMG,* Wind VMG,* and Laylines* are dependent on the chartplotter model, legacy models may not calculate this data