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Furuno's New FM4850 Black Box VHF Packs Essential Tools, Including AIS, GPS & More, Into A Compact Unit

Have a Marine VHF Radiotelephone with built-in Class D DSC, GPS Receiver, AIS Receiver, Multi-Station Intercom, and 30W Loud Hailer with Listen Back capability at multiple locations, all with one simple installation.

Camas, WA - Furuno turned heads in 2018 with the release of the FM4800, a 5-in-1 unit featuring VHF Radiotelephone, Class D DSC, GPS Receiver, AIS Receiver, and Simplified Loud Hailer with Intercom. Mariners appreciated the unit's rich feature set, rugged durability, and the ease with which it connects to other models within the Furuno family of marine electronics. Now, Furuno has introduced an all-new version of this versatile unit in a space-saving black box configuration. With the FM4850, mariners can take advantage of the same incredible feature set found in the FM4800, only with a much smaller footprint.

The Furuno FM4850 includes the same 'all-in-one' features found in its companion model, but with a twist. The FM4850's black box configuration allows for it to be installed in an out-of-the-way location, so it's not taking up valuable real estate on the helm, while the included handset with LCD Screen and waterproof speaker can be installed in easy-to-access locations. Up to three individual 'stations' can be connected to a single black box installation, each of them with full access to the FM4850's impressive capabilities. This means you can have a Marine VHF Radiotelephone with built-in Class D DSC, GPS Receiver, AIS Receiver, Multi-Station Intercom, and 30W Loud Hailer with Listen Back capability installed at multiple locations onboard, all with one simple installation.

With its built-in GPS receiver, all the FM4850 requires is an external GPS antenna. The unit does not require an external GPS source to enable its DSC functionality, and the unit can be used as a backup source of GPS positioning for other onboard electronics.

Its built-in AIS Receiver can be used to overlay AIS targets with networked GPS Plotters or MFD's, such as Furuno's NavNet TZtouch and NavNet TZtouch2, or their new GP1871F/GP1971F combo units. You can also share GPS, DSC and AIS information via NMEA0183 or NMEA2000. What's more, when connected via NMEA2000 to any NavNet TZtouch2 MFD, DSC calling can be initiated directly from the TZtouch2 display by merely tapping on the AIS/DSC target and selecting [DSC Call]. Additionally, when MOB (Man Overboard) is activated on a TZtouch2 MFD, the FM4850 enters a special mode where you can initiate a distress call by simply pushing the rotary knob.

The FM4850 can operate as a 30W Loud Hailer with 8 patterns of alert sounds. Loudhailer, Fog Horn and Warning Signal features are all available, enhancing onboard safety and communications while navigating in the dark or fog. When connected with the second-station handset, its intercom feature is available, allowing communications between the devices from multiple locations. Additionally, the horn speaker can be used to collect external sounds and transmit them through the external speaker with a function called Listen Back. In this way, a person on the deck can easily communicate with the bridge, a particularly useful feature for a variety of fishing vessels and workboats. The Listen Back function can also be a useful tool on sport fishing vessels, allowing the horn speaker to collect the sound from fishing rods and lines when you get a strike.

Safety, reliability and versatility have never before been wrapped up so perfectly in such a neat little package. If you're looking for the ultimate marine electronics "multi-tool" that offers more useful features than ever before, all in a compact and unobtrusive package, look no further than the FM4850 Black Box VHF/DSC Radiotelephone from Furuno. To learn more about Furuno's new FM4850, or the complete line of Furuno marine electronics, see your local Furuno dealer or contact: Furuno U.S.A., 4400 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd., Camas, WA 98607. Phone: (360) 834-9300.

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