When used with Raymarine's RayTech navigation software, the E85001 enables direct SeaTalk communucation between the PC and network, supporting functions like active route and waypoint transfer. Alternatively, the E85001 can convert SeaTalk datastreams to NMEA 0183, and NMEA 0183 sentences to SeaTalk, enabling other NMEA 0183 compatible navigation devices to communicate with Raymarine SeaTalk compatible instruments, autopilots, radars, and navigation aids. The E86001 serial data cable (sold seperately) is recommended for connecting PCs to this device.