Maretron J2K100 J1939 to NMEA 2000 Gateway
The J2K100 is a robust J1939-to-NMEA 2000 gateway designed for professional and commercial installations, offering wide J1939 parameter support, high message throughput and advanced diagnostics that make it a de facto choice for integrators. It justifies a higher price with industrial-grade reliability and configuration depth compared with simpler plug-and-play options like the Lowrance cable or the Garmin port expander, and it provides more raw J1939 translation than monitoring-focused units such as the Actisense EMU-1 or the value-oriented Yacht Devices gateway.
Translates J1939
Diesel whisperer
Translates J1939
Diesel whisperer
Review Summary
"Users praise the Maretron J2K100 for reliable, professional-grade J1939 to NMEA 2000 translation and robust configuration options. It is seen as durable and accurate but relatively expensive and aimed at commercial/advanced installations."
Plug-and-sail
Converts J1939 engine/CAN messages to NMEA 2000 PGNs for instrument displays.
Plug-and-sail
Converts J1939 engine/CAN messages to NMEA 2000 PGNs for instrument displays.
Time-Saving Convenience
Eco-Friendly Living
Skill Development & Mastery
The J2K100 is a robust J1939-to-NMEA 2000 gateway designed for professional and commercial installations, offering wide J1939 parameter support, high message throughput and advanced diagnostics that make it a de facto choice for integrators. It justifies a higher price with industrial-grade reliability and configuration depth compared with simpler plug-and-play options like the Lowrance cable or the Garmin port expander, and it provides more raw J1939 translation than monitoring-focused units such as the Actisense EMU-1 or the value-oriented Yacht Devices gateway.
Translates J1939
Diesel whisperer
Plug-and-sail
Converts J1939 engine/CAN messages to NMEA 2000 PGNs for instrument displays.
Configurable PGN mapping and filtering to integrate OEM engine data cleanly.
Translates J1939
Diesel whisperer
Plug-and-sail
Converts J1939 engine/CAN messages to NMEA 2000 PGNs for instrument displays.
Configurable PGN mapping and filtering to integrate OEM engine data cleanly.
Actisense EMU-1 Engine Monitoring Unit
The EMU-1 focuses on comprehensive engine monitoring and diagnostics on NMEA 2000, combining sensor inputs and configurable alarms to deliver turnkey engine data to displays and logging systems. It typically costs less than high-end raw J1939 gateways while offering richer monitoring features than passive cables and port expanders, making it a strong choice for owners who need detailed engine telemetry without the complexity of a full Maretron-style gateway.
Multi-sensor hub
Real-time diagnostics
Multi-sensor hub
Real-time diagnostics
Review Summary
"Owners find the Actisense EMU-1 accurate and well-built for aggregating engine analogue sensors onto NMEA 2000, with thorough documentation. Some users note setup complexity and occasional sensor calibration challenges during long-term use."
Analog whisperer
Collects and publishes detailed engine parameters onto NMEA 2000 for alarms and displays.
Analog whisperer
Collects and publishes detailed engine parameters onto NMEA 2000 for alarms and displays.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Eco-Friendly Living
The EMU-1 focuses on comprehensive engine monitoring and diagnostics on NMEA 2000, combining sensor inputs and configurable alarms to deliver turnkey engine data to displays and logging systems. It typically costs less than high-end raw J1939 gateways while offering richer monitoring features than passive cables and port expanders, making it a strong choice for owners who need detailed engine telemetry without the complexity of a full Maretron-style gateway.
Multi-sensor hub
Real-time diagnostics
Analog whisperer
Collects and publishes detailed engine parameters onto NMEA 2000 for alarms and displays.
Supports configurable alarm thresholds and diagnostics via vendor configuration tools.
Multi-sensor hub
Real-time diagnostics
Analog whisperer
Collects and publishes detailed engine parameters onto NMEA 2000 for alarms and displays.
Supports configurable alarm thresholds and diagnostics via vendor configuration tools.
$600-900 CAD
Yacht Devices YDEG-04 Engine Gateway
The YDEG-04 is a competitively priced engine gateway that translates popular engine protocols to NMEA 2000 with flexible PGN mapping and a strong value proposition for DIYers and owners on a budget. It often undercuts Maretron and Actisense on price while providing many of the same translation features, though it may lack the same global support network and some advanced diagnostics those market leaders offer.
Compact translator
Custom data maps
Compact translator
Custom data maps
Review Summary
"The Yacht Devices YDEG-04 is regarded as a cost-effective, easy-to-configure engine gateway that reliably maps engine data to NMEA 2000, with responsive firmware updates and support. Reviewers consistently highlight good value for hobbyist and professional installations."
Silent skipper helper
Translates common engine CAN/J1939 data into standard NMEA 2000 instruments and logs.
Silent skipper helper
Translates common engine CAN/J1939 data into standard NMEA 2000 instruments and logs.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Eco-Friendly Living
The YDEG-04 is a competitively priced engine gateway that translates popular engine protocols to NMEA 2000 with flexible PGN mapping and a strong value proposition for DIYers and owners on a budget. It often undercuts Maretron and Actisense on price while providing many of the same translation features, though it may lack the same global support network and some advanced diagnostics those market leaders offer.
Compact translator
Custom data maps
Silent skipper helper
Translates common engine CAN/J1939 data into standard NMEA 2000 instruments and logs.
Compact, low-power module built for straightforward plug-and-play installation on the N2K backbone.
Compact translator
Custom data maps
Silent skipper helper
Translates common engine CAN/J1939 data into standard NMEA 2000 instruments and logs.
Compact, low-power module built for straightforward plug-and-play installation on the N2K backbone.
Garmin GMS 10 Network Port Expander
The GMS 10 is a compact network port expander that integrates seamlessly into the Garmin ecosystem, adding additional NMEA 2000 ports for displays and engine interface devices at a modest cost. It excels for Garmin-centric installations where expansion and plug-and-play simplicity are priorities, but it does not provide J1939-to-NMEA 2000 translation or the dedicated engine monitoring features found in Maretron, Actisense or Yacht Devices products.
Adds ports
Plug-and-play
Adds ports
Plug-and-play
Review Summary
"The Garmin GMS 10 is useful for expanding network ports and integrating Garmin gear, but many users find it relatively expensive for its feature set and report occasional firmware/connectivity quirks. Overall it works well within Garmin ecosystems when kept updated."
Garmin confidence
Adds Ethernet and additional network ports to expand Garmin systems alongside NMEA 2000.
Garmin confidence
Adds Ethernet and additional network ports to expand Garmin systems alongside NMEA 2000.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The GMS 10 is a compact network port expander that integrates seamlessly into the Garmin ecosystem, adding additional NMEA 2000 ports for displays and engine interface devices at a modest cost. It excels for Garmin-centric installations where expansion and plug-and-play simplicity are priorities, but it does not provide J1939-to-NMEA 2000 translation or the dedicated engine monitoring features found in Maretron, Actisense or Yacht Devices products.
Adds ports
Plug-and-play
Garmin confidence
Adds Ethernet and additional network ports to expand Garmin systems alongside NMEA 2000.
Manages data distribution between Garmin MFDs and the NMEA 2000 backbone for integrated displays.
Adds ports
Plug-and-play
Garmin confidence
Adds Ethernet and additional network ports to expand Garmin systems alongside NMEA 2000.
Manages data distribution between Garmin MFDs and the NMEA 2000 backbone for integrated displays.
Lowrance Engine Interface Cable with NMEA 2000
The Lowrance engine interface cable with NMEA 2000 is a simple, cost-effective OEM solution for directly wiring supported engines to Lowrance displays, offering plug-and-play convenience for recreational boats. It is the most budget-friendly option on the list and ideal when minimal installation and expense are the priority, but it lacks the translation flexibility and diagnostic depth of full gateways like the Maretron J2K100, Actisense EMU-1, or configurable Yacht Devices unit.
Direct engine link
Simple hookup
Direct engine link
Simple hookup
Review Summary
"The Lowrance engine interface cable is appreciated for straightforward plug-and-play on supported engines and simple installation. Users warn about compatibility limits and mixed results with non-standard or older ECUs over extended use."
Lowrance-approved charm
OEM-style NMEA 2000 engine interface cable for direct connection between engines and Lowrance units.
Lowrance-approved charm
OEM-style NMEA 2000 engine interface cable for direct connection between engines and Lowrance units.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Lowrance engine interface cable with NMEA 2000 is a simple, cost-effective OEM solution for directly wiring supported engines to Lowrance displays, offering plug-and-play convenience for recreational boats. It is the most budget-friendly option on the list and ideal when minimal installation and expense are the priority, but it lacks the translation flexibility and diagnostic depth of full gateways like the Maretron J2K100, Actisense EMU-1, or configurable Yacht Devices unit.
Direct engine link
Simple hookup
Lowrance-approved charm
OEM-style NMEA 2000 engine interface cable for direct connection between engines and Lowrance units.
Plug-and-play with sealed connectors to maintain marine-grade water resistance.
Direct engine link
Simple hookup
Lowrance-approved charm
OEM-style NMEA 2000 engine interface cable for direct connection between engines and Lowrance units.
Plug-and-play with sealed connectors to maintain marine-grade water resistance.