In Boating World Magazine's May Gear Locker they showcase a nice gadget that allows you to detect above-normal operating temperatures of your equipment.
"Being proactive can help you avoid major problems, including those that may occur in your engine compartment. Telatemp’s pistol-grip IR (Infrared) Thermometer gives an early warning of potential equipment failures by detecting above-normal operating temperatures. Its built-in laser pointer allows you to pinpoint specific locations on machinery. Basic accuracy is +/- 2 percent of reading over a range of zero degrees to 600 degrees Fahrenheit or +/- 4 degrees Fahrenheit, whichever happens to be greater."
And for the second time this week, we have some 'wireless lighting' news. However, this time it is for real, since this solution uses solar power and therefore does not require any electrical wires.
"Just because the sun slips away each night doesn't mean that you can't still utilize it. When electrical wires aren't an option, you can trust solar energy to keep the lights on. Heath/Zenith motion-detecting solar lights can be placed near the dock to illuminate your boat at night and startle any suspicious strangers. Detecting motion up to 60 feet away and operating up to 14 days without recharging from direct sunlight, these lights are energy-efficient, saving an estimated 9 billion kilowatts of energy and minimizing energy pollution."
Following up on a previous story on Stealth's LittlePC, here is the wireless LittlePC... Not such a bad idea by the way, certainly not on a boat where cables are even more of a hassle than at home. And with all these marina Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere, it is an even better idea.
"Stealth today has released their latest LittlePC with 802.11b wireless capability. The model LPC-401XW can run at a blazing 3.2GHz making it the smallest most powerful feature rich machine available on the market. The built-in wireless Ethernet capability opens doors for many applications where traditional network cables could not be run. Mobile medical carts, movable kiosks, digital signs, factory floor connectivity and remote data acquisition are a few of the applications well suited for Stealth’s new LittlePC."
In order to help you power all these great devices that are being presented on this weblog, Ocean Navigator has released a newsletter discussing the necessity of inverters and how to install them.
"Inverters have become a desirable piece of equipment to provide AC electricity (alternating current, just like household service) onboard. This is done by taking direct current from your batteries, changing the type of current (current is measured in amps) and increasing the voltage from 12 or 24 volts to 120 volts. Notice that the voltage in most applications is a 10-to-1 exchange — from 12 to 120. This is very helpful in realizing quickly that for the same power output, divide the watts output from an inverter by 12 to get the number of amps from your batteries. This can be staggering when you use a large AC appliance like a hair drier at 1,200 watts and that takes 100 amps DC from the batteries."
An LCD display with built-in PC, without being able to see it. Great for space restricted environments like a saloon or cabin. Guess it won't be long before we see a rugged version of this one.
"TrustedReviews gets a glimpse of Elonex's prototype 32-inch LCD Media Center PC at the Ideal Home Show in London. The Elonex Media Center, which has the depth of a typical flat-screen TV, features a full-sized motherboard, 3.5-inch hard drive, integrated Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and two built-in side speakers. The device can also be wall mounted for optimal Feng Shui living space and placement."
A different kind of marine electronic equipment than I normally write about, but nevertheless it will be relevant to some. I know what hassle it can be to be able to have a BBQ on board, but may be this is a solution...
"You won't need to faff around with matches or lighters as the Q features handy built-in igniters. There's even a built-in light, so you can see what you're cooking in the dark. The chic but sturdy Q utilises high grade gas jets, giving you uniform heat for perfect grilling every time. And, unlike rival grills, the Q BBQ boasts 105 square inches of non-stick, dishwasher safe cooking surface, more than enough for a flame-grilled feast."
Lots of weather news today... Boat Test highlights 'The Weather Channel Marine' which was co-developed with NASA and is designed to withstand harsh marine environments. The system consists of a small satellite receiver and antenna and is available for purchase through authorized marine electronic dealers.
"The Weather Channel Marine uses advanced satellite broadcast technology specifically designed to deliver critical information in real-time to professional and recreational boats. This is not a static download of outdated images or a blurry weather fax -- it's a full color overlay of marine weather that is continuously updated as new information is received."
A new solution from WeatherData for those of you who prefer to sail the coastal waters, since it won't work if you are to far away from land... Apparently they have some special marine features as well, but it was originally developed with land based applications in mind.
"Special features will be available for marine use including marine charts for the U.S. and surrounding coastal waters, and reports on wave height, buoy observations, high surf advisories and tide data tables. A future version of Storm Hawk will also offer predicted radar that includes the location of storms ten to 30 minutes into the future and will provide the location and prediction of cloud-to-ground lightning with up to 97 percent accuracy, a WeatherData exclusive service."
The people from MarineLED keep sending out these press releases through which they promote their new 'wireless lightning technology.' May be someone who reads this is able to explain what they mean by that, because I find it hard to figure out...
""Wireless" lighting technology now available for the marine market. MarineLED™ LLC - a Seattle-based dealer of marine-specific LED lighting - is pleased to announce the opening of their e-commerce website. Founded in January, 2003 by a group of boating enthusiasts, MarineLED is passionate about exploring the dramatic potential for light emitting diode (LED) lighting for vessels of all types and sizes. MarineLED is committed to working with its suppliers and partners to bring this cutting-edge technology to their valued clients."
More and more private yachts are using real time tracking systems to locate their vessels via a web based interface, anywhere and anytime. PurpleFinder seems to be one of the most popular. It has two basic features, PurpleFinder Reporter and PurpleFinder Guard.
"PurpleFinder Reporter - enabling two-way location, monitoring and communication with your remote people and assets worldwide."
"PurpleFinder Guard - providing two-way data communication to enable you to locate, monitor and protect your vulnerable people and assets around the world. Providing the DSAS Ship Alert System for discreet ship to shore emergency notifications."
Looking at what you need in terms of technology, hardware and software, it can be deployed relatively easy. You can even embed your location on your boat's website in real-time... One other nice feature is called 'geofencing':
"Geofencing - send us your latitude-longitude boundary coordinates and we will preprogramme your D+ unit to automatically broadcast the yacht's position if this boundary is crossed. Perfect for bareboat charter! If the coordinates are set to the harbour or marina entrance then you will be notified as soon as the yacht is moved."
I have posted about the workings of EPIRB and choosing the right EPIRB equipment before, but it seems that not every device functions as it should. With equipment that is so life-critical, be carefull not to save a few dollars at the expense of...
"Unfortunately, in the testing, the off-the-shelf McMurdo Ltd. 'Precision 406 MHz GPS EPIRB' (also known as G4 406 MHz GSP EPIRB) and the McMurdo Ltd. 'Fastfind Plus 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon' (also known as the Fastfind Plus 406 MHz PLB) both failed to reliably acquire a GPS location 'fix' under operational 'real-world conditions,'” Ritter said. “The tests revealed that purchasers of these GPS-equipped 406 MHz beacons – who paid a premium for the added GPS technology in the hopes of potentially shortening rescue response with faster location information and increased location precision – are apparently not getting what they paid for and are operating under false expectations.”
A quite funny quote from a Netstumbler forum thread shows very well that the combination of Wi-Fi and boating is still in the early adopter stage, and that 'wardriving' has its equivalent at sea....
"WARBOATING!!!! It was actually sort of tough to set this up (see photo below). The boat has a double door that snaps open, so I used the double doors to hold tight the NiteIze case flap. The case flap has a metal insert in the back and this is very strong. It held the Jornada, PC card adapter, Orinoco Gold card, yagi antenna, and wires in place for our entire four hour ocean voyage. I set the 8dbi yagi to point towards the shore. When we neared any boats I'd turn the yagi around if need be. (Or is this warshipping? Is that praying?) We received several pings from shore locations, but when we were passed by a police boat we also got a ping! Seems the sonar ping sound is perfect for being on a boat. I checked just now to see if we did indeed get a ping off the boat, it is WEP enabled for Seal Beach police. Good going guys! You're secure! (Warcopping?)"
I was reading an old article in Boating Magazine which had a quote that I could relate to... "It's the end of an idyllic day. Your engine is burbling through the no-wake zone, water's chuckling against the hull. The sunset is molten gold. It's perfection, and yet.... you can't place it, but something is missing. A something to make this moment last forever. You know, like a scene from a movie. I'll tell you what's missing, a soundtrack." At the same time I received a press release on a new pair of marine speakers from JBL, JBL MS920, so I thought I'd better post about it.
"The MS920 can handle up to 300 watts and has a frequency response of 50Hz to 21kHz, which allows loud, clear sound to be produced across a broad range of frequencies. The alignment of the 1-3/8" balanced-dome tweeter directly over the polypropylene woofer adds to the exceptional sound quality. The water- and UV-resistant speaker has a cutout diameter of 6" x 8- 13/16" with a mounting depth of 3-1/8". It is available in white, and the included stainless steel mounting hardware allows for personal or dealer installation."
Every now and then stories on collisions between commercial vessels and private yachts are making headlines. There are several ways to prevent these from happening, and one development in particular will help reduce colission risks. Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Furuno won a contract to supply more than 300 of its FA100 Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to Tidewater Marine, so let's have a look at their product.
"How does AIS work? AIS is a shipboard VHF broadcast system that transmits and receives information that is pertinent to the safe navigation of ships. This data may be shown on the display of the AIS equipment, or RADAR/ECDIS equipment. Each AIS system consists of one VHF transmitter, two VHF TDMA receivers, one VHF DSC receiver, and a communications link (IEC 61162/NMEA 0183) to shipboard display and sensor systems. Static and dynamic Navigational data is sent via VHF from ship to ship using SOTDMA. Position and timing information is normally received from an internal or external global navigation satellite system (e.g. GPS) receiver, including a DGPS receiver for precise position in coastal and inland waters. Other information broadcast by the AIS, if available, is electronically obtained from shipboard equipment through standard marine data connections."
With more and more marinas offering Wi-Fi internet access to boaters, it is very important to understand how you can get the most out of these possibilities. One issue that keeps coming back is the range within a user has access. Improving this range can be done in several (simple) ways. One of them is using 'high-powered' PCMCIA cards.
"So... given that a PCMCIA Wi-Fi card is a compromise, one way to overcome its limitations is to increase the transmitted power and receive sensitivity of the PCMCIA card. In the case of the SMC card, the transmit power is now 200 mW instead of 30 mw, and SMC claims "improved" receive sensitivity. My totally unscientific review testing tends to bear out SMC's claims."
I have posted many times on the differentapproaches and offerings for having satellite internet access anywhere at sea. Recently Boeing made a lot of headlines because of their plans to offer internet access via the same system as they are using to offer internet access in air planes. Many expected this to be a serious competitive threat to Inmarsat, a sort of incumbent in this area. Wi-Fi Networking News is comparing the different systems for offering in-flight internet access, but the analysis will probably teach us something about the future of satellite internet at sea as well.
"The 864 Kbps service from satellite giant Inmarsat delivered from its three fourth-generation I4 satellites scheduled for launch starting in late 2004 could dramatically change the future of aviation Internet access. This service is called B-GAN for Broadband Global Area Network. The service is in symmetrical 432 Kbps units with Tenzing recommending two bonded channels for 864 Kbps of bandwidth, although four channels and 1.7 Mbps are possible as well."
The Garmin Marine Network: How Not To Get Lost At Sea
Apr 16, 2004
Engadget discusses Garmin's new plug-and-play systems (GPSMAP 3010C & 3006C) that put GPS, weather, sonar, radar, and other important data at boaters’ fingertips. It also highlights Garmin's proprietary Marine Network, yet another alternative to NMEA 2000, the standard that somehow takes a long time to mature. One of the advantages of the Garmin approach is that it uses ethernet as a backbone. Since ethernet cables can be used for powering devices as well, this will make a supposedly plug and play boat network a lot less complicated in terms of wiring...
"From Garmin, a couple of new waterproof GPS handhelds designed specifically for seafarers. The GPSMAP 3010C (pictured above) has a 10.4-inch color LCD screen, while the GPSMAP 3006C has a smaller 6.4-inch screen. Both of them work with the Garmin Marine Network, Garmin's new line of peripherals that you can attach to the handhelds. The first two to be available will be the GDL 30, which connects to XM's satellite weather service and can download real-time graphical weather data (there's another version, the GDL 30A, if you want to tune into satellite radio, too), and the the GSD 20, for adding sonar. A marine radar attachment should be ready sometime next year."
I've covered the gadgets and electronics on board of the WallyPower before. Since many visitors to this weblog come through Google searches on the 118 WallyPower, I thought I'd post this link to a New York Times article that discusses the WallyPower and the fact that it is relatively cheap at $25 millon... And, they found a gadget on board this yacht that I missed. The pizza oven.
"Over the course of many decades and countless deprived tycoons, it has been one of humankind's most vexing challenges: how to get, quickly and comfortably, from Portofino for breakfast to Sardinia for lunch and then, should the whim strike, St.-Tropez for dinner...."
"...It splits the difference between a lightning-quick motorboat with no room for a pizza oven (which the WallyPower has) and an individually tailored Titanic that can do a party of 500 people but just 20 miles per hour...."
"...He then explained how aerodynamic design, water-jet propulsion and a special polycarbonate material worked to make the WallyPower so fleet. He apparently did not think it worth mentioning that the boat's three 5,600 horsepower engines chug down about 1,000 gallons of fuel an hour at maximum cruising speed (75 miles an hour). He talked instead about applications of military technology and sophisticated wind-tunnel tests."
Nobeltec's April newsletter discusses why it makes sense to use a heading sensor, even if you already have a GPS device connected to your chart or radar instruments.
"Many users attempt to use the Course Over Ground (COG) sentence provided by their GPS unit to either stabilize the chart or radar image. However, COG is only reliable when the vessel velocity is in excess of 10 knots, and there is not a strong current or wind. Using a heading sensor allows the Nobeltec software to properly align the chart or radar overlay images as well as ARPA targets on the chart."
Through Naval Technology I found some interesting rugged hardware. Some of the highlights:
This one looks like it could have been a good case modding project from a navy adept. But the specs will show that, if you require a PC on board, this one is built for it. It can be shock mounted and is sort of mobile as well...
Israeli BES System's"RCS-PC, and Mini RCS-PCs are rugged PC compatible computers specially designed and qualified for use in harsh Naval, Airborne and Ground mobile military environment. RCS-PC is built for full size ISA and/or PCI cards."
Miltope's Centrino laptop doesn't require a laptop bag, for that reason alone I've listed it here. Although not submersible like Itronix GoBook MAX, it's easy to carry around and definitely looks tough.
"The Miltope TSC-750M, featuring the new Intel® CentrinoTM Mobile Technology is the most versatile and compact rugged-militarized laptop computer available today. Designed and manufactured in the USA, the TSC-750M has been successfully qualified to MIL-STD-810/461/464. The TSC-750M also delivers the fastest-yet 3D video thanks to its ATI MOBILITYTM RADEONTM 9000 graphics accelerator – dramatically enhancing all aspects of the visual experience in every application."
My personal favorite is the GDC4S Mission Data Tool (MDT). It is a ruggedized PDA with a 400MHz Xscale Processor, BlueTooth, GPS and embedded radio interface. But the MDT's looks and form factor somehow really caught me.
"Mission Data Tool (MDT) - The Mission Data Tool (MDT), the latest product in the CHS-2 arsenal of rugged computing devices. The MDT is a ruggedized PDA that hosts Pocket PC 2002 as an operating system. Additionally, it can support a customer-ported LINUX environment. The MDT has been engineered to survive the rigors of the tactical battlefield, and has incorporated extensive soldier feedback into its design. The resulting product is a computing device that will be readily accepted by the deployed warfighter and homeland defenders."
SAIL launched a new magazine, BoatWorks. In the Spring 2004 issue they have some marine electronics related stories. Two of the topics that might provide you with a reason to buy the magazine are:
A Household Fridge On Board He couldn't find the fridge he wanted in the marine-supply catalog, so he strolled down to the local appliance store.
Confessions of an Autopilot Brain Surgeon No need to throw out your autopilot's healthy drive unit when all it needs is a new brain.
Fuel cells are a hot topic in many areas, ranging from cellphones to the automotive sector. However, boating could be an industry segment where this new technology can be applied very soon. It's a very efficient way to power your boat's systems.
"The vessel can obtain its raw water where ever it is, as an onboard water maker is used to purify it, so that an electrolysis unit can split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can then be used by fuel cells to power an electric propulsion motor (right) and supply the vessel's other onboard energy needs. When under sail, the electric motor functions as a generator, thus providing another renewable energy source."
Practical Boat Owner looks at Simrad’s new 34 series; "big-ship technology that’s hitting the small-boat market." And while you are reading the May-issue, make sure you do not skip William Sandford's GPS alert. He's from the Royal Institute of Navigation, so you'd better believe him....
"A Dual Range radar mode gives a detailed close range radar image with the ability to view a long-range overview alongside. Radar images can be overlaid onto chart images to provide the full picture, making for safer navigation and a more relaxed voyage in general."
As long as standards like NMEA 2000 take to lang to penetrate the market, more proprietary initiatives will have a chance. Brunswick's SmartCraft is definitely one of them. Onan, the marine generator set manufacturer, signed a license agreement that will allow users to read data from Onan product through the SmartCraft Networked databus system.
"The user can view genset status, including AC voltage, AC frequency, coolant temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage, and genset hours; be alerted to a pre-alarm condition; and, if the genset shuts down, view the notification and diagnostic message in text. For the boatbuilder, the common display frees up valuable space previously taken by multiple monitoring devices."
Can't find any reviews of this system, but it appears to be a nice way of securing your boat and be alerted via your cellphone when something is wrong....
"The BlueRay Marine Security System supervises your boat, reporting intruders and other key events. Intruders trigger an immediate on-board siren, while all events generate detailed alarm messages direct to your mobile phone. The EB201 sends a text message to up to four mobile phones of your choice. That means there are no on-going monitoring charges."
Not sure if it is water resistant, but this looks like a nice solution for use in the cockpit, inside or outside.
"Nobu is now shipping a 12.4" in-wall touchscreen PC running Windows XP. This computer is designed to work with home networking and automation systems. Nobu, based in Costa Mesa, CA, manufactures a variety of "PC touch screen products for clients in the Residential, Commercial, and Industrial sector."
Nowadays wireless LCD TVs still have a few disadvantages, but on a boat they could provide more flexibility when it comes to entertainment. Plug all your video sources (DVD, STB, aerial) in the base station, and use your wireless display everywhere. Its range of 50ft should be perfect for on board viewing, wether on deck or in a cabin. Let's just hope battery live will improve rapidly.
"When the signal is solid, the picture is terrific, with a wide viewing angle, high contrast and defined images characteristic of Sharp's outstanding approach to LCD (viewing on the sun deck at high noon isn't recommended, though). The issue is whether cable-free living and potentially dicey performance is worth twice the price of a wired 15-inch LCD TV."
Gizmodo points at Raymarine's new C Series Multifunction Navigation Display, a product also highlighted by Ben Ellison in SAIL Magazine.
"Raymarine's C-Series Multifunction Navigation Display is, at heart, a simple LCD monitor. What makes it powerful is its ability to serve as the interface to a wide array of Raymarine-brand equipment, including radar units, fish-finders, GPS charting units and more. Three models are available, in 7-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch sizes, and prices vary depending on your custom configuration."
Yachting World's May issue reviews an electronic chart system, LookSea, that uses a 360-degree "pan-and-tilt" video camera and 3D interface to make navigating more easy and safe. Through the advanced technology of augmented reality, LookSea enhances your electronic navigational picture with continuous, real-time views of the surrounding ocean. LookSea happens to be a sort of spin-off from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), where the owners of the company behind LookSea used to do research into augmented reality. And funny enough, the system was even tested on the predecessor of the U.S. Navy's High Speed Vessel (HSV) SWIFT which I wrote about yesterday.
For more reviews of this interesting system you can visit Klein Associates. At the bottom of the page you will find some relevant links.
"LookSea Pro is the most advanced electronic chart system available and can also provide a focal point for your integrated bridge system. The LookSea system takes video data from an exterior camera, converts electronic chart data into computer generated, 3D graphics and synchronizes those images with GPS and heading data to create an augmented view of your situation on a video monitor."
Never mind VHF radios with buddy lists, there is still a lot of room for error when using VHF equipment. The latest Ocean Navigator newsletter looks at the role of VHF communications in a collision avoidance context.
"Warnings continue to surface periodically about the dangers inherent in VHF communications as used for avoidance -- most because of the uncertainty of who is talking to whom. One master commented (in discussing the explosion of electronics, etc., available to the bridge) that sometimes it’s necessary not to forget to look out the window!"
Great to see that more and more marine electronics and communications functions are being integrated. Not only on a hardware level, but definitely also on a software level. What I really like about Uniden's MYSTIC, a full VHF/GPS Mapping Marine Radio, are simple functions like having a buddy list. Product design that starts with user needs is something we don't see often enough.
"Uniden is making an emphatic comeback with its new Mystic, a strikingly original and well-executed marriage of a full-on Magellan hand-held WAAS-GPS plotter and the first portable DSC-VHF radio with advanced functions like buddy lists. The two work together, plotting the origin point of incoming DSC calls and including your position with your outgoing calls (for fun or in distress). In my testing, the submersible unit demonstrated long battery life and solid performance. It comes with U.S. street and buoy maps and supports Magellan's full-detail BlueNav charts. The Mystic, which is 13" tall and lists for $699, is not a trivial gizmo to clip on your belt, but -wow!- is it capable."
It's a fact that some of the military R&D spending will find its way back to the tax payer since innovative technologies are being applied in a commercial context at a later stage. For us boaters who have an interest in yacht automation, the U.S. Navy High Speed Vessel (HSV) SWIFT (at 294t long, it has a top-speed of 45 knots per hour) might trigger further innovation in this field. Computerworld takes a closer look at the technologies that have been deployed on this ship.
"The U.S. Navy has a new ship in its fleet that officers say may be the most technologically advanced vessel produced to date, with IT capabilities that are revolutionizing naval warfare and may play a vital role in responding to potential terrorist attacks in the U.S. The HSV (High Speed Vessel) 2 Swift, a 294-foot, aluminum-hulled catamaran, has a crew of only 42 sailors, but the lack of manpower is made up with extreme levels of automation. Nearly every function of the ship, from navigation and steering to engine and damage control, is conducted and monitored using commercial, off-the-shelf hardware and software."
The BBC discusses a simple set up for sending and receiving email at remote locations, in this case the Solomon Islands. Key to this solution is WaveMail, software that is being used by sailors as well since it is especially developed with low bandwith situations in mind.
"The system runs on software called WaveMail, which works with the HF radios in villages. "We are using old technology but it is robust," said Mr Rausi. "This laptop is quite old but it does the work. In the end we have to look at what is affordable in villages. The People First Network is not about the technology. It is about improving the standard of living of people in rural areas. "The social side is more important than the technology.""
In an article discussing assistive technologies in sailing I came across YachtAware, a company which creates integrative technology that connects navigational instruments to a main computer. In this case it helped disabled people compete in the Transpac, but it could be a good solution for many.
"YachtAware installed one of its systems on the B'Quest. It placed sensors all over the 40-foot yacht: including the sails, the hull, water tanks, and the engines. The sensors are hooked up to the main computer that provides instant information and makes recommendations on a course of action. The sensors also sound an alarm when someone goes beyond the railing, possibly falling overboard. "It even translates Morse code, which I don't know," Miyares said. "It's important to communicate to other ships during emergencies." Also, if the boat breaks away from its anchor the YachtAware system calls the skipper's cell phone to relay what happened."
A nice example of how the internet is improving life at sea can be found in California where the US Coast Guard is moving to issuance of the Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) exclusively via the Internet. Now if they would just start using the Ghost Guard as well....
"For many years, each U.S. Coast Guard district has printed and mailed LNM free of charge to any mariner requesting a subscription. LNM provide important safety information; however, the cost of printing and mailing has become prohibitive. Technology now allows us to provide LNM in a timelier and less costly manner via the Internet. All individuals are encouraged to register for List Server notification on the Navigation Center’s Website, so when LNM are posted for the district(s) in which you are interested, you will receive automatic notification of their availability."
If your communications, networking and securtity needs are extensive you'd might consider Virtek's CommBox. It combines a router, email server, least cost route switch, and lot's of other features in one box. Altough developed with large vessel requirements in mind, increasingly private yachts will be equiped with these types of solutions as well.
"CommBox is designed not only for today's data communication requirements, but also with the future in mind. Anything that can communicate through the Internet can communicate through CommBox. CommBox supports all standard mail clients. It can run as a stand-alone e-mail server or as a mail relay server to enhance the performance of existing mail systems. CommBox utilizes dedicated black box technology for superior stability compared to software solutions. Configuration is easy as any user with privileges can control CommBox from any computer in the network with a web browser. CommBox supports all dial-up connections, MPDS and leased line."
Tom Isitt, in his editorial piece for the Motor Boat & Yachting May issue, confesses that he always reads the manual of the gadgets he buys. Lot's of people do not, and that's probable not very smart.
"But I know plenty of people who don't. Whether it's because they're too idle or too disinterested, they just can't bring themselves to do it. Or maybe I do it because I'm a total saddo.When I buy a new gizmo (and believe me, I buy lots) I have to read the manual. To my mind, there's no point in having some clever gizmo if you don't know what it will do, and don't know how to get it to do the things you want it to do. My mobile, my iPod, my GPS, my PDA, my multi-function digital chronograph, the five boxes that sit beneath my TV. I've read the manuals. I actually like reading the manuals. Even the manuals that make no sense, like the one for my KTM that was written by an Austrian with a very warped grasp of English."
At $2,200 definitely not the cheapest, but surely one of the most ruggedized Pocket PC's. But as far as I can see it's lacking any wireless connectivity, making it a bit useless for maritime purposes. Although you could use its two CompactFlash slots, protected from rain, wind and dust by the The standard CF-CapTM O-ring sea, to add Bluetooth or Wi-Fi cards.
"The TDS Recon is a ruggedized Pocket PC that can withstand drops, extreme temperature change, high altitude (outside of a plane, even), and immersion in water. Trusted Reviews smacked one of the rubber-clad PDAs around but couldn't get the little bastard to die, even after dropping it and dunking it in a sink of dishwater (as seen in the dramatic animated GIFs). A little part of me was disappointed that it didn't break; It pleases me to think of handing back a $2,200 review unit in pieces, with a shrug."
Following up on a detailed description of how EPIRBs work and how calls for help are handled by various authorities, this (not yet available online) Ocean Navigator newsletter elaborates on how to choose the best EPIRB(s) in a specific situation, how to use them properly and when to use other technologies.
"Possibly the most exciting new MOB device is a PLB now used successfully by many single-handed ocean racers. When the wearer of this small transmitter travels more than a short distance from the onboard receiver, the unit steers the vessel head-to-wind. In theory, this stops the vessel, allowing the MOB to catch the vessel and climb back onboard. If the MOB is not back onboard within 10 minutes, the ship’s EPIRB is automatically activated."
Not so long ago I was joking about the possibility of having a 3D compass which would not require any special glasses. Well, there's one, the Teeter-Todter (pdf) 3D Compass.
"Housed in a tough, light weight enclosure about the size of a domino, the TT compass sensor provides responsive, rock solid heading, and for suitably equipped interfaces, pitch (trim) and roll (heel). Ockam 033Teeter-Todter 3-D Compass. Inside the TT magnetometers and accelerometers rapidly produce super accurate, stable data. PC based software connected with Ockam’s quick-connect wiring harness provides control of output parameters and compass calibration (once set and calibrated, the PC is easily removed from the setup). Numerous instrument system functions are greatly enhanced by this superb compass."
In Boating World Magazine's May Gear Locker they showcase a nice gadget that allows you to detect above-normal operating temperatures of your equipment.
And for the second time this week, we have some 
Following up on a 
In order to help you power all these great devices that are being presented on this weblog, Ocean Navigator has released a 
An LCD display with built-in PC, without being able to see it. Great for space restricted environments like a saloon or cabin. Guess it won't be long before we see a rugged version of 
A different kind of marine electronic equipment than I normally write about, but nevertheless it will be relevant to some. I know what hassle it can be to be able to have a BBQ on board, but may be 
Lots of weather 
A new 
The people from MarineLED keep sending out these 
More and more private yachts are using real time tracking systems to locate their vessels via a web based interface, anywhere and anytime. 
Looking at what you 
"Unfortunately, in the testing, the off-the-shelf McMurdo Ltd. 'Precision 406 MHz GPS EPIRB' (also known as G4 406 MHz GSP EPIRB) and the McMurdo Ltd. 'Fastfind Plus 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon' (also known as the Fastfind Plus 406 MHz PLB) both failed to reliably acquire a GPS location 'fix' under operational 'real-world conditions,'” Ritter said. “The tests revealed that purchasers of these GPS-equipped 406 MHz beacons – who paid a premium for the added GPS technology in the hopes of potentially shortening rescue response with faster location information and increased location precision – are apparently not getting what they paid for and are operating under false expectations.”
A quite funny 
I was reading an old 
"How does AIS 
With more and more marinas 
I have posted many times on the 
I've covered the gadgets and electronics on board of the WallyPower 
"...It splits the difference between a lightning-quick motorboat with no room for a pizza oven (which the WallyPower has) and an individually tailored Titanic that can do a party of 500 people but just 20 miles per hour...."
This one looks like it could have been a good case modding project from a navy adept. But the specs will show that, if you require a PC on board, this one is built for it. It can be shock mounted and is sort of mobile as well...
Miltope's Centrino 
My personal 
A Household Fridge On Board
Fuel cells are a hot topic in many areas, ranging from cellphones to the automotive sector. However, boating could be an industry segment where this new technology can be 
Practical Boat Owner 
As long as standards like NMEA 2000 take to lang to penetrate the market, more proprietary initiatives will have a chance. Brunswick's 
Can't find any reviews of this system, but it 
Not sure if it is water resistant, but this 
Gizmodo 
Yachting World's May 
For more reviews of this interesting system you can visit 
Never mind VHF radios 
Great to 
It's a fact that some of the military R&D spending will find its way back to the tax payer since innovative technologies are being applied in a commercial context at a later stage. For us boaters who have an interest in yacht automation, the U.S. Navy High Speed Vessel (HSV) SWIFT (at 294t long, it has a top-speed of 45 knots per hour) might trigger further 
The BBC 
In an 
A nice example of how the internet is improving life at sea can be 
"CommBox is designed not only for today's data communication requirements, but also with the future in mind. Anything that can communicate through the Internet can communicate through CommBox. CommBox supports all standard mail clients. It can run as a stand-alone e-mail server or as a mail relay server to enhance the performance of existing mail systems. CommBox utilizes dedicated black box technology for superior stability compared to software solutions. Configuration is easy as any user with privileges can control CommBox from any computer in the network with a web browser. CommBox supports all dial-up connections, MPDS and leased line."
Tom Isitt, in his editorial 
At $2,200 definitely not the cheapest, but surely one of the most ruggedized Pocket PC's. But as far as I can 
Following up on a detailed 
Not so long ago I was