Cortex® M1 - SmartAIS transponder with remote monitoring

The Garmin Cortex M1 is an advanced SmartAIS SOTDMA Class B transponder designed for safety and connectivity at sea. It features a 10 Hz multi-constellation GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) and a 9-axis heading sensor. It stands out with its proactive SmartAIS functions such as collision detection, anchor watch, and man-overboard detection, as well as remote vessel monitoring capabilities.

The Cortex M1 offers several proactive safety features through its SmartAIS system:

Collision prevention: It continuously calculates collision risks with other AIS-equipped vessels and issues directional audio and voice alerts.Anchor watch: It monitors your anchor position and alerts you if your boat drags, or in case of significant changes in wind speed/direction or water depth.Man overboard detection (MOB): It monitors the presence of AIS MOB devices and triggers an alarm for rapid action.

The Cortex M1 is the system’s core (hub). It becomes a fully functional 25W marine VHF radio with Class D DSC capabilities when paired with one or more Vesper Marine Cortex H1 (wired) or H1P (portable) handsets, which are sold separately.

Unlike a standard AIS transponder that merely sends and receives data, the Cortex M1's SmartAIS technology integrates an active safety system with intelligent alarm logic. It proactively anticipates potential collision situations, monitors mooring to detect dragging, and continuously checks for man-overboard events, providing voice and directional alerts for improved responsiveness.

The Cortex M1 integrates sensors for vessel position, battery voltage, heading, and barometric pressure. It can also connect to external sensors via its GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) inputs to monitor data such as bilge level, shore power, or vessel security. Additionally, it connects to NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 networks to access existing onboard sensor data.

Yes, the Cortex M1 housing is rated IPx7, meaning it is fully waterproof and can withstand temporary immersion.

The Cortex M1 package includes the following items:

The Cortex M1 hubA GPS antenna with a 10-metre (33-foot) cableA power cableA WiFi antennaAn audio cableA GPIO cableA VHF connection cable

For a complete installation and setup, you will need the following items, which are not included:

An AIS/VHF antennaA fuse or circuit breakerMounting hardware of your choiceA mobile device (smartphone or tablet) running the Cortex Onboard application or a Cortex display for initial configuration.

Yes, the Cortex M1 integrates an AIS/VHF splitter with no loss, allowing you to share a single existing or secondary VHF antenna with the Cortex M1 transponder and your VHF radio.

The Cortex M1 is powered by a 12V or 24V DC power source. A power cable is included in the package.

Yes, the Cortex M1 ships with an external GPS antenna and its 10 m cable. This antenna is required for accurate vessel positioning and SmartAIS functions.

The Cortex M1 features a built-in NMEA 2000 bridge. You can connect it to your existing NMEA 2000 network using an NMEA 2000 cable and a T-connector, which are optional accessories not included.

The Cortex M1 is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. You can use the free Cortex Onboard app for onboard configuration, management, and data display via WiFi. For remote monitoring and control (off the boat), the Cortex Monitor app is used, which requires a subscription.

Yes, the Cortex M1 can share AIS data received with other onboard devices, including multifunction displays (MFD), via NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, and WiFi connections.

To enable full VHF radio functionality, the Cortex M1 is compatible with Vesper Marine Cortex H1 (wired display) and Cortex H1P (portable display) units. These displays are sold separately.

Yes, the Cortex M1 supports remote control of onboard systems. With a Cortex Monitor Premium subscription, you can control devices such as refrigerators, ice makers, lights, or heaters using optional output relays connected to the hub.

Yes, the Cortex M1 is equipped with internal antennas for WiFi and cellular connectivity. It also allows for the connection of external antennas if needed, for improved range or reception.

The Cortex M1 uses a multi-constellation GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) that provides position updates at 10 Hz. This high frequency ensures highly reliable positioning accuracy and threat detection.

Yes, like all Garmin products, the Cortex M1 is covered by the manufacturer's standard warranty. For specific details regarding the warranty duration and terms, please refer to the official documentation provided with the product or Garmin's website.

The Cortex M1's SmartAIS system continuously calculates collision risk by cross-referencing your vessel's GPS data with AIS information received from other boats. It highlights medium- and high-risk vessels and triggers directional audio and voice alerts (e.g., "collision alert, starboard bow") when risk is high, providing key details such as Closest Point of Approach (CPA) and Time to CPA (TCPA).