We installed a Vesper WatchMate AIS receiver in the Philippines in 2009. Our budget was tight and I didn't want to put up the money. My wife insisted. I admit it was the best thing we ever did. Can't tell you how much stress it erased crossing the crazy busy Bashi Channel to Taiwan, then up to Japan and Korea.

Hove-to in heavy weather, my wife was happy as a clam chatting with ships she could call by name to make sure they saw us in their path. In Korea, so many boats, including smaller fishing boats, have AIS transceivers, which were a blessing those times we were socked in by fog.

I crossed from Japan alone. The Watchmate with screen and a GPS were the only electronics on full time. Used little power. You could go a week without seeing a ship, but there are a few shipping zones across the North Pacific, like from the Panama Canal to Japan/China, that are akin to highways. But I slept soundly with the AIS on watch.

Vesper in NZ was very helpful when we had a problem with the unit in Japan. Next time we buy a transceiver.