Always On, Always Visible, Always Watching
XB-6000 Class B transponder sends AIS signals, making your vessel always visible to others with AIS equipment. It receives AIS signals from AIS equipped vessels, Aids to Navigation and portable man overboard devices and is always watching.
NMEA 2000 Gateway - Easy to integrate
Translates NMEA 2000 navigation data and routes it along with AIS and GPS data over USB to computers or NMEA 0183 to MFDs and chart plotters

Universal Compatibility
Vesper Marine is compatible with all the leading brands of marine equipment and MFDs including Raymarine, Garmin, Furuno, Simrad and many more.







High Speed GPS
A built-in 50 channel GPS receiver with a fast 5Hz GPS update rate enables higher resolution and smoother tracking on your plotter or MFD.
The XB-6000 has its own internal GPS antenna and a powerful external GPS antenna is included if it needs to be mounted where there is no clear view of the sky. The GPS is so powerful, it can be used as a GPS source for the entire NMEA 2000 network.

Other Exclusive Vesper Marine benefits

Low Power Consumption
Keeps it always on, always visible, always watching

Galvanic isolated USB ports
Protect your transponder and connected equipment (laptops) from high current.

Fully Waterproof IPx7
Can be safely mounted anywhere

Upgradable Firmware
Get the latest firmware updates via USB and your computer
Complete Class B AIS Transponder
WatchMate XB-6000 is a Class B AIS transponder with a two channel parallel receiver and transmitter. It transmits your vessel position and details and receives the same kind of information from other vessels with AIS transponders.
The AIS data is sent every few seconds and includes information such as course, speed, latitude, longitude, and heading. Static information about the vessel is sent every few minutes and includes the name, type of vessel, length, beam, draft, etc.


NMEA 2000 Gateway
NMEA 2000 Gateway
Translates NMEA 2000 instrument data (heading, wind, depth, speed, log, temperature) and routes it over USB and NMEA 0183.
All NMEA 2000 navigation data is combined with GPS and AIS data and sent to computers via USB. Display and use this data in your navigation applications on Windows and Mac navigation software.
Simply plug the XB-6000 into your NMEA 2000 network and your integration is done. Or connect it to the NMEA 0183 input on your chart plotter. And if you have a mixed network you can even use the XB-6000 to integrate the two by connecting your XB-6000 to your NMEA 2000 navigation instruments and a NMEA 0183 chart plotter. The XB-6000 makes your new NMEA 2000 instruments appear on the chart plotter!
High speed 5Hz GPS navigation and built-in GPS Antenna
A built-in 50 channel GPS receiver (with WAAS/EGNOS) and its own internal GPS antenna eliminates the need to install an external GPS antenna in many situations.
However, it also includes a powerful external antenna for those installations that require it. The external antenna can be pole mounted on standard 1" threaded tubing or mounted on a flat surface with the included base. The cable has a small connector, about the same diameter as the cable, to facilitate easy routing through small holes.
The fast 5Hz GPS update rate results in higher resolution and smoother tracks on your plotter or MFD, even during high speed maneuvers. It can be used as a source of GPS data for the entire NMEA 2000 network

External GPS Antenna included

Self diagnostic status lights
Easy to install
Mounting
Mounting the XB-6000 is made easy with innovative cable connection points that create low profile installations. As well as being waterproof the XB-6000 also has multiple connection options: NMEA 2000 / 0183 and USB connectivity.
Fully Water Proof
Unlike most other AIS transponders, the XB-6000 is water proof so you can mount it wherever convenient without worrying about water. It is even rated IPx7 which means it is totally submersible to 1m for up to 30 mins!
Self Diagnosis Status Lights
Multi-color LEDs keep you informed of operational status of the XB-6000 with self diagnosis that shows warnings if AIS, GPS, or antenna are not functioning.
USB Connection (waterproof and locking with optional cable)
The USB connection can be used to connect the XB-6000 to on-board computers. The XB-6000 provides a GPS and AIS data feed directly to computer-based navigation software. It translates selected NMEA 2000 instrument data and sends that to your computer too. An optional 5m (16') waterproof cable features a locking ring so it can't vibrate out of the back of the XB-6000.
Other innovative features
Ultra-low power consumption
Designed for minimal power consumption the WatchMate XB-6000 is extremely well suited for energy conscious vessels.
Low power operation is particularly important on a long voyage when charging from solar or wind. The XB-6000 consumes less power than other AIS transponders even with the NMEA 2000 gateway operating!
Positive Identification
You'll have each vessel's name and call sign and others using AIS will also have yours. If you wish to call another vessel you will be able to ensure you are talking to the correct vessel. This is very important when operating in busy areas or in bad weather when visibility is reduced.
Silent Mode Control via PC, Mac or an external switch
The XB-6000 can be put into silent mode. When in this mode, the AIS receivers and GPS continue to operate normally. The only change is transmissions are inhibited. Perfect for those times when you want privacy. Silent mode can be controlled by an external switch (not included) or via your PC or Mac.
Firmware Updates
When you buy a WatchMate XB-6000, you get an extendable AIS platform. Designed to be compatible with a continuous stream of feature updates, your WatchMate XB-6000 can be upgraded with the latest firmware via USB and your computer.
What's In The Box
- GPS antenna with 10m (33') cable
- Installation Guide
- 2m (6.5') Power/data cable
- 1m (3') USB cable
Size | 200mm wide x 130mm high x 60mm depth (7 7/8" x 5 1/8" x 2 3/8") |
Environmental | Waterproof (IP67: submersible to 1m for 30 mins) |
Operating temperature | -25°C to +55°C (-13°F to 131°F) |
Power supply | 10-32 VDC, 2.5W nominal |
Number of receivers | 2 AIS, 1 DSC (timeshared) |
Receive sensitivity | -113 dBm (<20% PER) |
Number of transmitters | 1 AIS |
Transmit power output | 33 dBm (2W) |
GPS | 50 channel with internal antenna. Supports WAAS and EGNOS. Also includes external antenna |
GPS navigation rate | Selectable 1Hz or 5Hz with magnetic variation included in output |
GPS sensitivity | -159dBm tracking & navigation -142dBm acquisition (cold start) |
GPS accuracy | Position 2.5m CEP, SBAS 2.0m CEP |
VHF antenna required | 50 ohm, max 2:1 VSWR @ 162MHz, PL259 connector |
Serial data | 1 fully isolated USB port (mini), 1 isolated NMEA 0183 input (RS422 4800/38400 baud) 1 NMEA 0183 output (RS422 4800/38400 baud) |
Connectivity | NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, USB
All input NMEA 0183 sentences are repeated to the NMEA 0183 and USB outputs. Selected NMEA 2000 PGN's (heading, wind, depth, speed, temperature, and log) are translated to NMEA 0183 sentences and repeated to the NMEA 0183 and USB outputs. This allows a wide variety of NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 instruments to be interfaced and output to all other connected devices. |
NMEA 2000 | NMEA 2000 certified. LEN 2. Micro-C male connector. Female drop cable required (not included). Compatible with all NMEA 2000 certified Raymarine SeaTalk NG devices (DeviceNet cable required), Garmin, Furuno, SimNet (NMEA 2000 adapter cable required, Navico part 24006199 or 24006413), and other NMEA 2000 certified products. |
Protocols | IEC 61162-1, NMEA 0183, NMEA 0183 HS |
Standards | IEC 62287, IEC 60945, IEC 61108, IEC 61162, ITU-R M.1371, ITU-R M.825, ITU-R M.1084 |
Approvals | BSH, BABT, CE, US Coast Guard, US FCC, Industry Canada |
Warranty | Two year world-wide warranty |
Supplied With | • 2m Power/Data cable • External GPS antenna |
Optional | • SP160 VHF/AIS Antenna Splitter • Waterproof USB cable |
Specifications may change due to product improvements and different product release versions.
Includes Vesper Marine's patented AIS technology. For more information about our international patents, contact us.
XB-6000 Transponder | Garmin AIS 600 | Raymarine AIS 650 | Simrad NAIS 500 | Amec 108 | em-trak B100 | |
Higher resolution GPS – Fast 5HZ update rate for smoother GPS tracking. | ![]() |
Slower 1HZ update rate | Slower 1HZ update rate | Slower 1HZ update rate | Slower 1HZ update rate | Slower 1HZ update rate |
NMEA 2000 GPS source for the entire navigation network - Only the XB-6000 provides the complete NMEA 2000 support required by MFD's and other navigation equipment. | ![]() |
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NMEA 2000 Gateway - Translates NMEA 2000 navigation data and routes it over USB to computers or NMEA 0183 to radar, chart plotters and other navigation equipment | ![]() |
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Low power consumption | 2.5W | <20W | 3W | <3W | 3W | 2.5W |
Galvanic isolated USB ports - Protect your transponder and connected equipment (laptops) from high current. | ![]() |
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Fully waterproof IPx7 rating - Can be mounted anywhere | ![]() |
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Built-in GPS antenna - No need to mount an external antenna in many situations | ![]() |
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External GPS antenna included - Included with the XB-6000 but only required to be installed if the unit is mounted where the internal GPS antenna cannot get a fix | ![]() |
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Please Note: This information has been gathered from public sources. To the best of Vesper Marine’s knowledge it was correct at the time of publication (May 2017). We want to keep this up-to-date, so if you see anything missing or incorrect, please let us know so we can update this information.