A small box that puts your boat's NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 data on WiFi. When you need one, which models are proven, and how it reaches your iPhone.
An NMEA WiFi gateway is a small box that plugs into your boat's NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 network and puts the data (wind, depth, speed through the water and more) on WiFi. Your iPhone can then read it. You need one when your plotter doesn't stream its data to other apps, or when your boat has instruments but no plotter with WiFi.
When you need one
- Your plotter keeps its WiFi to itself. Garmin GPSMAP and ECHOMAP, Raymarine Axiom and Element and Furuno displays share their WiFi only with their makers' own apps.
- Your plotter has no WiFi. For example B&G Triton² and Triton Edge, Simrad Cruise, Lowrance Hook² and Hook Reveal.
- You'd rather leave the plotter alone. A gateway works next to it and doesn't change its settings.
If you have a B&G, Simrad or Lowrance display with WiFi, try it first. Many stream to Manta directly. See Connect your plotter.
Proven gateways
These models work with Manta:
- Yacht Devices YDWG-02
- Actisense W2K-1
- Digital Yacht NavLink2
- Digital Yacht WLN10SM
- ShipModul MiniPlex-3Wi-N2K
Other gateways work too if they stream NMEA 0183, or NMEA 2000 in the Yacht Devices RAW format, over TCP or UDP. Check which of the two networks your boat has before you buy. NMEA 0183 vs NMEA 2000 explains how to tell.
Connecting to the iPhone
- On the boat's network: an NMEA 2000 gateway goes onto the backbone like any other device; an NMEA 0183 gateway is wired to the instruments' data lines. Follow the gateway's manual.
- On WiFi: most gateways open their own WiFi network; many can also join an existing one on board. Your iPhone joins the same network.
- The data stream: the gateway sends the data over TCP or UDP. TCP is a direct connection between gateway and app; UDP sends it to every device on the network at once.
Set it up in Manta
Open Connect your plotter under Instruments in Settings. Manta searches the WiFi for your gateway on its own; allow local network access when iOS asks. From then on, every log entry carries real wind, depth and speed through the water. More in WiFi gateways.
Questions
Do I need a gateway if my plotter has WiFi?
Only if the plotter keeps its WiFi to its own apps. B&G, Simrad and Lowrance displays with WiFi stream to Manta directly. Garmin GPSMAP and ECHOMAP, Raymarine Axiom and Element and Furuno displays share their WiFi only with their makers' apps, so a gateway is the way in.
Will a gateway change anything on my plotter?
No. The gateway plugs into the network and puts the data on the air, while your plotter stays untouched.
My gateway isn't on the list. Will it work?
Most likely, if it streams NMEA 0183, or NMEA 2000 in the Yacht Devices RAW format, over TCP or UDP. Its manual or settings page tells you which formats it sends.
Does the gateway need an internet connection?
No. It only carries data around the boat. Manta works far from any mobile signal; stories and sharing simply wait for the next harbour.
Manta does this for you
Plotter data on your iPhone over WiFi
Connect your plotter or a WiFi gateway, and Manta shows your instruments live and records wind, depth and speed through the water on every trip.
