Raymarine's C-series have been out for a while now and there's an interesting discussion over at the Go Boating America's Forums. So if you are in the market for a C120, C80, or C70, make sure you read this.
"I have a C80. Big problem for me is there is no way to manipulate waypoints on my pc and then upload to the C80. I wouldn't have bought the unit if I had known this. I "ASS UMED" that since the unit uses CF cards it would be a poc to swap back and forth. When I queried Raymarine support about the issue they were downright rude, telling me that the swap capability was proprietary information. And then there was the issue of the advertised ability to overlay the chart plotter and the radar. One has to dig deep to find out for that capability you have to purchase an additional piece of kit, the heading sensor, for $650!! I don't think I would do Raymarine if I was starting over."(Raymarine at Amazon.com)
If you're looking for a way to have (pdf, p13) alerts of new shipwrecks highlighted on your electronic charts in real-time, McMurdo has the answer...
"The receiver has a RS422 data output, which enables it to be integrated into an electronic chart display (ECDIS) - which automatically converts the safety warning into an alert which is displayed on the chart (for example indicating a new shipwreck). The electronic chart software can scan the message for a latitude and longitude reference."
A new Bluetooth GPS receiver from GlobalSat with an optional GPRS function for surfing on internet. They claim it will keep working within an 80m (250ft) range, but if your yacht is that big you probably don't use a portable Bluetooth GPS receiver....
"For those of you who have seen the Globalsat BT308 the BT318 does not look too much different, it has sleeker styling, but the main improvements are a removeable battery with a claimed life of 15+ hours, and a cradle which is a bluetooth GPRS modem."(Bluetooth GPS at Amazon.com)
John Kostecki, skipper of illbruck, V.O.R. winner, on Steiner's Commander V: "Covering 32,000 nautical miles around the world can only be done with the very best equipment. That's why we chose Steiner's new Commander V." Well, if he says so...
"Steiner technology has created "HD" Nighthunter optics that deliver 96% peak light transmission – the highest ever recorded. Combined with the bright and steady 7 x 50 configuration, you get nighttime images so brilliant, it’s almost like turning on a spotlight. Each Commander V is hand-built to be mil. spec. waterproof and shock resistant." (Steiner Commander V at Amazon.com)
If you're considering to install a PC at the hart of your boat's systems, may be Stealth's new fanless LittlePC, rugged design, compact dimensions (10" x 5.82" x 2.79"), is something for you.
"Designed without cooling fans the rugged extruded aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink to dissipate internal heat and provide noise free operation. Littlepc.com's new Model LPC-401FL Fanless LittlePC is a small footprint PC that features an Intel 2.0 Celeron CPU clocked at 1.33GHz, passive cooled CPU processor that offers optimal heat dissipation and power consumption."
There's no denying that satellite radio has made its entry into boating. This week's Ocean Navigator Marine Elecronics & Communications newsletter is proof of that. Chris Parker is discussing the different options you have, especially highlighting the Brix portable receiver. He's looking at a way to be able to receive the signal as far as in the Caribbean.
"I used to recommend purchasing the Sirius or XM device that was designed to interface with your brand of stereo. But audio equipment manufacturers identified a new market for this technology. Several equipment manufacturers now produce boom-box-type units for under $200 with a detachable satellite radio receiver. This allows you to take your satellite radio with you anywhere you go. You can play the self-contained unit, or play its output on your car, boat, home or office stereo."
I was reading some industry news on Sea Tell and Globalstar, and I realized that I had never posted anything about the WaveCall 3000 which seems like a good solution for data and voice communications if you are sailing the oceans.
"It provides voice and data speeds of up to 56Kbps using data compression, with the added ability to interface with permanently installed shipboard systems. The WaveCall MCM3 uses 3 simultaneously connected channels to provide voice and data speeds of up to 144 kbps using data compression. An RJ45 Ethernet connection also makes the product easy to integrate into networks."
Sony's 7.2-megapixel digital still camera, the Cyber-shot DSC-P150, comes with an optional Marine Pack.
"The camera sports circuitry that Sony says ensures fast startup and shot-to-shot times and speeds up auto focus and auto exposure. It has a Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 3x optical zoom lens and can get about 310 shots per charge out of the InfoLithium battery, according to Sony. It's also equipped with a 1.8-inch LCD screen. Available separately is the Cyber-shot Marine Pack, which lets the camera operate underwater at depths up to 132 feet." (Sony Cybershot at Amazon.com)
A short article going back to 1957 when Carl Lowrance invented a small electronic box that flashed instant water depths and possible fish targets, and looking forward to a near future where anglers will find their lake depth screens will appear in 3-D effect to more easily visualize the haunts of fish.
"In my fishing boat the other day I turned on a state-of-the-art Lowrance 104 unit that combines sonar with GPS and mapping capabilities. It's the fishing version of shock and awe. On a split-screen as clear as color television, the Lowrance 104 showed the bottom depth, possible fish or bait targets and bottom hardness — and that's just one side of the screen."(Lowrance at Amazon.com)
Since I am using the Amsterdam waterways quite often this is especially relevant (pdf) to me.... Not sure about the exact coverage area, but would be nice if Amsterdam was to become a giant 'hotzone'.
"To access the system, ships need to have computers with a standard wi-fi data access card. The system is provided by Radionet, a supplier of wi-fi "hot zone" technology, and Baas WDS (wireless data systems), a system integrator. It was installed in June 2004. The network is owned and operated by Amsterdam Port Authority. The system uses the 2.4 GHz WLAN spectrum and 802.11 wi-fi protocol. The wi-fi access points, located around the port, also communicate with the data backbone system by radio, at up to 10 Mbps; the
backbone itself can carry 34 Mbps."
Some nice new rugged LCD displays from Trident, up to 21.3", allowing you some great 'views' in the cockpit...
"All three panels have viewing angles of 170 degrees in both axes, with a virtually symmetrical viewing cone. This means that colour shift and colour inconsistencies when viewing the display from extreme angles are almost eliminated. This is essential for mapping and other applications where colours are used to show vital information. This symmetry of viewing angle also means the panels can be used in portrait orientation as well as landscape - something which conventional panels aren't suitable for. This is the result of ID-Tech's Post-Spacer construction, which also yields very high colour consistency."
Two weeks ago I mentioned Nobeltec's release of their second generation InSight Radar. Some more info in their newsletter. Looks like a nice package...
"The IR2 surpasses traditional radar systems through its use of the award-winning Visual Navigation Suite and Admiral. These navigation programs make the IR2 easy-to-use and affordable to update while providing functionality not found on other radars. The IR2 connects directly to the computer or hub through a TCP/IP connection making the installation a breeze. The TCP/IP (i.e. network cable) solution is not “cable length” limited as it was in the past through USB; No more having to convert RS-422 to RS-232."
Located in Portland, Maine, DiMillo's Marina at Long Wharf seems to have done everything right when it comes to letting boaters connect to the internet as easy as possible. They even took advantage of that by offering value added services over the wireless network. That way the Wi-Fi network might even pay for itself so access can be free...
"DiMillo's caters to boaters from all over the world, piloting yachts up to 250 feet in length. With the new Wi-Fi service, captains enjoy convenient dockside check-in and the entire crew can instantly converse with family and friends via email from the comfort of their cabins. Strolling along the 130 slips, it's not uncommon to find people relaxing on their boats with a cold drink while surfing the Internet."
Nice new service for when you're sailing along the Cote d'Azur. I'm sure there are many more to come since GSM/CDMA reception is no longer an issue, not even offshore...
"In France, a company called Seapass is testing an SMS reservation service with several thousand ship owners, allowing them to make their docking reservations by text message, at 5 different ports off the Côte d'Azur (Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer, Les Embiez, Bandol, Sanary et port de Bouc.) Mobile users need only to send an SMS to a designated short code to: reserve a parking spot for their boat, request the weather report, request the sites to visit in the area, best beaches, best restaurants, historic monuments..."
Randy Repass has a new boat, Convergence. If you are the founder of West Marine, the world's largest retailer of boat accessories, then surely there must be a lot of electronics on board. And that is true. Here's an article from 48° North, and here you can find the specifics on this Tom Wylie designed ketch rigged catboat.
"We have used PC-based chart plotting, primarily Nobletec, for several years in waters between the San Juan Islands and SE Alaska and like it very much. For long distance cruising we think PC-based plotting is more practical than dedicated plotters using vector charts. We have a PC at the navigation station, which is networked with Ray Marine's RL 80 radar, RayNav300 GPS, ST 290 speed, wind and depth instruments, and 8001 autopilot all on the HSB2 link. While we are able to display information from anything on the Ray Marine link we plan to use the LCD of the PC in the pilothouse to display electronic charts. We also have a Garmin 276C GPS at the navigation station and a faithful selection of paper charts."
Although I really think that the ZigBee wireless communications standard is better suited than Bluetooth for use in a marine electronics context, more and more Bluetooth enabled equipment is coming to the market. Elproma's solid state electronic compass is a good example of that.
"The new ECS1 from Elproma is a solid-state electronic compass sensor with an accuracy of 1 degree, and is available in several different configurations. The interface is available in three formats: NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 or Wireless Bluetooth. Two new indicators have also been released - the ECI1 and the ECI2. The ECI1 is an LCD indicator with a moving bended-course scale, while the ECI2 features a 7-segment display for those wanting a larger view of the compass reading. Both indicators are also available in NMEA 0183, NMEA2000 and wireless Bluetooth interfaces."
I already saw it in my logfiles, but looking at the press-coverage on waterproof MP3 players, I must conclude there is definitely a trend here. Oceanic's DV-X has been mentioned on this website before, and now CNETAsia highlights it as well.
"Take the plunge with the Oceanic DV-X, an accessory that lets you use your MP3 player on a diving or snorkeling trip. The kit provides waterproof housing for any iRiver 300-series player and earphones made specifically for underwater listening, so you can hear your favorite tunes or take an audio-guided tour of wreck sites or sea life."
A GPS/Bluetooth combination is not something new, but this implementation by Mobile Tracker is quite nice because the device is battery powered as well. Which allows for a very easy set-up on any type of boat.
"Compact GPS Receiver with Bluetooth connectivity and a nine hour battery provides real time location information to any Bluetooth enabled devices such as SmartPhones, PocketPCs, Laptops, and Tablet PCs."
I've seen a lot of similar products, but Digital Antenna's PowerMax will really help you out when in need of sending (or receiving) some SMS messages while sailing (too far) offshore....
"Lucky you, because Digital Antenna’s PowerMax cellphone signal booster takes an external wall mountable 7-inch antenna, some power adapters, 30’ coax cable, and pumps out some serious GSM/CDMA reception—up to 500% more power."
Using a PDA to navigate while it's connected to a GPS receiver via Bluetooth demands a lot of your batteries. Solar power is a solution many boaters are already used to, and this little product is a nice example of how it will be used even more. I highlighted a similar product, the Notepower portable solar module, a while ago.
"Folding open and close like a laptop, the charger can slurp enough power in four or five hours to fully recharge two cellular phones (or PDAs, or digital cameras, or what have you). Bic Camera intends to sell the Pocket Chargers for around $215."
How important it is that your EPIRP works correctly is proven many times a year. This spring only, NOAA satellites were key in saving 54 lives in 27 potentially deadly situations throughout the United States. So when McMurdo beacons are under fire again, this is not good news for the manufacturer. They even ordered a recall of their products.
"Doug Ritter, executive director of Equipped to Survive Foundation, announced today that he would be conducting an "independent evaluation" of McMurdo's GPS-enabled 406 MHz distress beacons. This announcement came in response to McMurdo's July 7th press release saying that its FastFind Plus PLB and Precision EPIRB performed "faultlessly" in recent tests, a few months after Ritter found performance problems."
Don't know whether that claim is actually true, but if you're in the market for a small AIS (Automatic Identification System), I've written about them before, then have look at Jotron Electronics' TR-2500 Universal Automatic Identification System.
"Weighing just 2.8 kg in one single unit with a panel sized similar to a standard VHF, the TR-2500 can be easily integrated with existing ECS, ECDIS or onboard radar systems. Alternatively, Jotron Electronics provides a software called AIS VIEWER for PC on a complimentary basis for graphic display. The robust and compact design, with a variety of mounting configurations, including desktop, header panel, flush or rack mounted, means a flexible, quick and cost efficient installation, be it as retrofit or on newbuilds."
In their own journal, NMEA is again promoting the NMEA 2000 standard. Not surprising of course, but just publishing these press-releases won't do much good. Companies involved in developing this standard will have to push new products onto the market, and they will have to balance the future of their proprietary systems against NMEA 2000. I've highlighted this before...
"The development of NMEA 2000 has been a collaborative effort within the marine electronics industry. The work done since 1999 has included 12 companies, Furuno, Kvaser, Litton, Navionics, Northstar, Raymarine, Simrad, Teleflex, Metal Marine, Trimble, Vector CANtech, Airmar and Japan Radio Corporation. By early 2004, Airmar, Raymarine, Kvaser, Simard and Teleflex have certified products using NMEA 2000."
Every now and then a story comes along which proves that without skills, electronics won't do you a lot of good. Here's another one (free subscription required).
"Borgueta recalls how one day he helped lead a 36-foot cabin cruiser to shore in the fog, when the boater got lost near Beavertail. At the time, the harbormaster didn't have high-tech navigational tools, so Borgueta guided him safely by using a wrist compass and his knowledge of the sights and lights along the shore. "The guy said, 'I want to see the electronics you have on your boat,' " Borgueta recalled. He simply tapped his wrist. "He had probably $20,000 worth of electronics on his boat and he was following a $2 wrist compass," Borgueta said."
Since so many of you are looking for waterproof MP3 players on this website, I thought it would be better to post the news about this new (cheap) product. It is a "four AA batteries power built-in stereo speakers inside a water-proof casing that even comes with a hanger so you can hook it on your shower curtain rod or nozzle, turning almost any portable audio player into a waterproof shower stereo." I'm sure you can use it in a rainy cockpit as well...
"Boom Boom Multi-Box is water-resistant and is perfect for a trip to the beach, by the pool, on a camping trip, at a party, or even to use in the shower (hanger included); it has quality built-in speakers so you can play it loud and enjoy the sound, while hanging with friends!"
Yachting World has published their ARC Surveyresults. So if you would like to know what equipment is being used by yachts in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.... It's sort of the ultimate field-test for all kinds of electronics, so make sure you check it out. Instruments that were subject to this survey include Autopilots, Charting Software, Generators, HF Radio, Inmarsat B/C, Iridium, Mini M, Sailing Instruments, Water Generators, Watermakers, Wind Self-Steering and Wind Generators.
Yachting and Boating World (YBW) comes away moderately impressed from MAATS (Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show) and in their newsletter they mention some of the highlights. Besides the one I liked best, EchoPilot's CASS (Collision Avoidance Sonar System), they have some other tips as well.
"For example no less than three stands were devoted to devices to keep birds off boats — everything from whirly solar-powered helicopter-like blades to moving owls to clip on trip lines for boat rails. Hmmm. Items more effective at catching my eye included a neat car-toppable pontoon you can rig out on a lake or riverside using screw-in oil-rig style legs, a new waterproof switch panel from BlueSea with great design detail and fuse-blown indicators, and very nicely engineered polypropylene-moulded dinghies with modular RIB collar and sailing rig options from Walker Bay."
Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and MTN, is offering a roaming solution for GSM subscribers while cruising in international waters. I've written about similar solutions before, if you have a large enough yacht you might even install it for private use...
"Our passengers now have the option of using their own mobile phones while at sea, whether they wish to stay reachable at their usual phone number or check for voicemails and text messages whenever they like." Wireless service is now available on the Island Escape for many passengers with GSM phones operating on the 900 MHz frequency, which is common throughout Europe. Passengers will be billed for usage by the wireless carrier to whom they subscribe, as with any other roaming service"
New regulation has triggered KVH to highlight their integrated communication system that uses the Inmarsat mini-C communication system and real-time GPS position reporting to alert when in distress. Although they are using terrorist threats to persuade commercial shippers to buy this product, this solution could be useful for private yachting as well.
"The eTrac SSAS is very easy to use - just press one of the two panic buttons to instantly send an alert containing such information as vessel identification, time, and precise location. The rugged KVH eTrac SSAS stands less than 6" high and weighs only 2.4 lbs and can be installed easily. The fully integrated system contains a transceiver, antenna, and a 12-channel GPS receiver."
With seven cameras and lots of wireless communication of video on board you can imagine that crew members in the Volvo Ocean Race are complaining about the energy it costs to power (and use) all of this. So now a company called Livewire claims to have found a solution for the 2005-2006 event, but unfortunately they do not explain how this works. So if anyone knows, drop me a line...
"But Livewire's communications exprts have now come up with a much more energy-efficient way of keeping the cameras rolling and have made power management an essential design element for the media centres on the Volvo 70 class yachts. The new design allows the media centre to be run at twenty times less power than in previous races. Wood comments: "Hopefully this will convince the teams that it is quite safe to leave the media centre on in this mode at all times."
Lots of PR talk here, but Delphi announced today the introduction of the Delphi XM SKYFi Marine Kit. Satellite radio, either from XM or Sirius, is becoming very popular in the boating world looking at all the products (or marinized versions...) that have been entering the market recently.
"For splash proof protection, the Delphi XM SKYFi Marine Kit features a UV- treated cradle cover, which helps users see the display while helping protect their SKYFi receiver. A wireless FM adaptor with a conformal-coated circuit board, allows users to experience more than 120 XM channels of revolutionary programming including news, sports, traffic, weather and 68 commercial-free music stations through their boats' existing FM radio."
Would you like your computer (the one you've mounted in the cockpit..) to work while circumnavigating the Antarctic? JLT is a supplier of rugged computers that that can do just that and they have put some evidence online in order to proof it.
"JLT's line of computers are rugged (not ruggedized or semi-rugged) and are used in tough environments such as mining, construction, public safety, marine and logistics. They are built to withstand rough terrain, rain, dust and wind, extreme temperatures, water, etc."
So if you've bought the iPAL for listening to some sweet tunes on deck, you might also consider a nice waterproof case for your iPod. Oh, and underwater headphones are coming as well...
"The oPod is an iPod-size version of the water-resistant, dust- , crush- and shockproof cases the military uses to protect hand-held computers. And unlike some water-resistant boxes for the iPod, it gives users access to all of the device's controls except the hold switch."
The Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show was held last week in Las Vegas. Two interesting marine electronics won a Marine Manufacturers Association Innovation Award during that event.
"EchoPilot's CASS (Collision Avoidance Sonar System) is a wideband active surf zone sonar based on military research that can see floating and semi-submerged objects up to 1,200 yards ahead of the boat in real time. The system transmits using multi-frequency (a "swept chirp" of 20 -80 KHz), which ensures greater performance in rough waters, according to NMMA."
"Equally impressing to the judges in the Aftermarket Electronics category was Vexilar’s AlumaDucer, the only transducer designed to transmit through aluminum with zero signal loss. Built like other transducers, it is designed to automatically compensate for the loss of signal strength when mounting a transducer on an aluminum hull, the association reported."
Garmin announced a new portable GPS navigator. Although its intended use is on the road, it is compatible with the entire line of MapSource outdoor cartography, including U.S. Topo, 24K Topo, Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots, and BlueChart. And it is waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX-7 standards, which basically means that it is submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The Quest will be available from August 2004, for more info go to Garmin's website.
"With the brilliant 256-color backlit TFT display, the Quest is easy to read in any light. Theunit has a rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery that provides up to 20 hours of use. Smaller than a standard television remote, the Quest provides an ample screen viewing area, but it won't demand a lot of room on the dashboard or in the briefcase. The unique antenna folds flush with the unit then not in use and users can connect an optional external antenna as well." (Garmin at Amazon.com)
Nobeltec released their new InSight Radar 2, a fully functional digital radar that interfaces with their Visual Navigation Suite or Admiral for integration with a laptop or desktop computer. Seems promising by the looks of it and by the details as far as available. For more information, read this brochure (pdf) as well.
"The IR2 adds a variety of new controls and settings, but the new "Auto" settings are particularly important to note. Auto-Range automatically keeps your radar range and chart scale consistent when zooming in and out on a chart. This stabilizes the radar image while providing chart-plotting data at the same time. In addition, Auto-Gain and Auto-Sea intelligently filter out unwanted radar noise to keep the radar display clear and viewable at multiple chart scales and zoom levels. The IR2 also automatically adjusts the pulse length of the radar to match the range settings."
ComNav has renewed its NX2 instrument package. Go here to see what's new about it and whether there's something in it for you...
"By displaying 40 different functions, the Multi Control is the most versatile NX2 instrument. Using the Copy and Paste feature, sailors can customize their data readouts. The Ocean Racing Pack also includes a Compass Transducer, Wind Data display, Wind Transducer, Log Transducer and Depth Transducer."
A while ago there was this news about the McMurdo 'Precision 406 MHz GPS EPIRB' (also known as G4 406 MHz GSP EPIRB) and the McMurdo 'Fastfind Plus 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon' (also known as the Fastfind Plus 406 MHz PLB) that both failed to reliably acquire a GPS location 'fix' under operational 'real-world conditions. Now, after some new tests, it seems that these products work fine.
"The new tests were conducted on the company's upgraded FastFind Plus PLB and Precision EPIRB products, and were designed to replicate the earlier Equipped to Survive Foundation tests as closely as possible."
Yachtingnet takes a look at Raymarine’s new C-Series, and they seem to like what they see. Especially from a user-friendliness perspective.
"Each model in Raymarine’s new C-Series, a family of standalone multifunction navigation displays, offers yachtsmen a full-function chart plotter plus control and display of information from the company’s C-Series Pathfinder radars and DSM250 black-box sonar (both optional). Available in three versions with differing screen sizes—the 61/2-inch C70, 8.4-inch C80 and 12.1-inch C120—the C-Series units are easy to install, are user friendly and provide the excellent performance and functionality of Raymarine’s traditional networked display systems at a lower cost."
Can you imagine that here are still marinas out there that do not offer Wi-Fi internet access...? It won't be long before yacht owners expect to have it like they expect to have water and electricity at their slip.
"When Ed and Betty Jo Chipman, two members of the yacht club, heard the yacht club was offering Wi-Fi (through smartBridges), they immediately asked SmartWires to design a personal local area network 'on-board' their trawler. "Now with the wireless network, we can transfer files between our computers and access the Internet from anywhere on our boat or in the club. We cannot imagine going back to our old dial-up Internet connection" explained Mr. Chipman"
Active Research Limited claims to have a new NMEA combiner concept, with 4 NMEA inputs, one output, one RS232 in/output and a CAN interface. Judge for yourself...
"The Actisense NMEA combiner combines up to four variable baud rate NMEA channels (4800 baud default) into one standard NMEA output. In addition, it has an RS232 interface to connect to a PC, with variable baud rate, along with diagnostic and setup software, which allows the configuration of which sentences are allowed to pass through the unit, thus allowing the unit to act as a filter on overloaded data streams. The unit also has a CAN interface, to allow future compatibility with the forthcoming NMEA 2000 standard."
A couple of months ago I mentioned Ascend Marine's Deep Blue Anchor Alert. MegaYacht.com has a short article (free subscription required) on this product as well.
"The components housed within the anchor unit include the accelerometer and transponder. As the anchor moves, the accelerometer calculates the severity of the motion, rating it on a scale of one to eight. This score is then relayed ultrasonically from the transponder to the boat where it is received by the transducer. It is then transmitted to the display and shown on a bar graph."
IBI News reports that B&G will demonstrate its RemoteVision wireless autopilot/instrument control system at the Southampton International Boat Show in September. Can't find anything about it, except for a short quote from Conrad Humphreys, who will be skippering HELLOMOTO during the Vendée Globe.
"RemoteVision is smaller than a palm PC and features a full LCD graphical screen and simple four-button control. It utilises wireless technology to instantly send and receive signals from B&G's h2000 Hercules and Hydra pilots and instruments. All readings from the instruments can be viewed on the RemoteVision anywhere on a vessel, "be it at the top of a 60ft mast in torrential weather or down in the galley preparing a meal," said the company."
Satellite radio at sea is nothing new, but here's an overview of some of the things to keep in mind when switching from more traditional sources of entertainment....
"Owners of older boats that are not equipped with satellite radios have two choices available to them, says Smith. The existing radio can be replaced with a new one, or it can be augmented with a satellite radio receiver that connects and plays through the existing system. Many of the latter, referred to as plug-and-play adapters, fit into a permanently mounted docking station and send their output to the existing radio by plug-in wiring or by an internal wireless FM transmitter."
I guess Wi-Fi internet access is becoming a standard feature for ships like these, and so it should be. And looking at the pricing, I would prefer sending some emails instead of using their satellite phone...
"Previously, the charge for outbound satellite telephone calls from Seabourn ships was $12.50 per minute; it is now $4.95 per minute. Internet connection, which previously cost 95 cents a minute, will now be 50 cents per minute. Discounts for purchasing bulk packages of online time can further reduce the internet cost to as little as 25 cents per minute."
I have been looking for easy ways to get the music from my MP3 player into the cockpit of my 21ft boat that I use to travel the Amsterdam canals. Here's a good, and weather-resistant, solution called Tivoli PAL or iPAL.
"The tiny PAL has an amazing rich and deep sound. You plug an iPod in, turn up the volume, and it uses its internal rechargeable battery to play your musical playlists longer than your iPod battery will last (I can get 8 hours on the PAL in one charge). Clear, marvelous sound from a small, rugged box that has survived rain and being dropped into a pool. That doesn't usually happen because it is carefully designed with handy finger grips and a grippy covering. It comes with an adapter for running on AC."
NOAA has created XML-feeds of their weather forecasts so that they can easily be integrated in websites or other applications. Although private weather companies are urging NOAA to stop providing these feeds, I believe marine software companies should take advantage of this development by integrating weather forecasts in applications like chartplotters. Since NOAA uses web service standards this should be relatively easy and we can expect to see some innovative uses. With more and more boats being permanently connected to the internet, it could prove to be a very valuable feature.
"In addition to the SOAP technology, this service exploits XML to enhance the ease with which NWS customers and partners can integrate NDFD (National Digital Forecast Database) data into their computer applications. XML is a W3C standard that allows its users to create languages with HTML-like tags and attributes. The NDFD XML language is called Digital Weather Markup Language (DWML) and its schema can be found at the following link."
If you are into wakeboarding and you'd like to have some music behind the boat, check out Infinity's new 6100M Wakeboard Tower Audio System.
"The 6000M loudspeaker pair attaches to your boat’s wakeboard tower with swiveling, one-size-fits-all, cast-aluminum brackets. The 2100M Marine Amplifier delivers 150 watts per channel of distortion-free output and even includes a talk-back microphone, so that you can communicate with the boarder from the boat. With prices starting at $1,099.95, the system doesn’t come cheap, but it will add a unique element to your watersports experience."
Motor Boating Magazine takes a look at one of the ships participating in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally, a high-seas adventure from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to Gibraltar. There's a lot of electronics stuff on board this ship... Here are some of the highlights:
-“It’s the autopilot that’s the most important thing,” he says. And for autopilots, Kinney selected two Furuno NavPilot 500s and added a SC 60 GPS satellite compass."
-"The first display supports Furuno’s 1953C chartplotter with a powerful 12-kW radar for 72-mile range and 1.2-degree horizontal beam width for accurate target separation."
-"The second chartplotter, an 1833C, uses a smaller radar with dome antenna that will pump out 4-kW of power for a range of about 36 miles"
-"Called NT-Link, this is a little sister to C-MAP’s rugged commercial product, only it’s coupled with the NT recreational cartography. One notable feature of NT-Link is its ability to handle online chart updates."
-"But the real heart of the navigation package is Furuno’s NavNet system, which allows for multiple sensor displays on three different display screens—the two 10.4" monitors in the pilothouse and an additional 7" remote display on the bridge."
Having reception problems while sailing along the coast? Here's a simple and cheap solution.
"The new Freedom Antenna from ARC Wireless Solutions presents a simple way to minimize those problems. The antenna, housed in a thin piece of plastic 3 inches wide and 6 inches long, uses patented technology to boost a signal enough to add at least a couple of bars to your phone's signal-strength display."
I like the way the marine electronics industry is, finally, taking real advantage of economies of scale, standardization and innovation in the computer industry. This Navionics example is perfect proof of that.
"The company says, "until now memory space was inhibited by the need to use proprietary memory cards which were less efficient and more expensive than generic memory cartridges. These generic cards have now significantly reduced in price and increased in size, enabling us to utilise them for the new XL3 charts. Navionics XL3 charts are loaded onto MMC (Multi Media Card) or CF (Compact Flash) cartridges. These are compatible with leading brands of chart-plotters from manufacturers including Eagle, Geonav, Humminbird, Lowrance, Northstar and Raymarine. XL3 charts are also compatible with PC navigational packages including Geonav, PC plotter, Seatrack and SW&N."
Raymarine's C-series have been out for a while now and there's an interesting discussion over at the Go Boating America's Forums. So if you are in the market for a C120, C80, or C70, make sure you read this.
If you're looking for a way to 
A new Bluetooth GPS receiver from 
That's why we chose Steiner's 
If you're considering to install a PC at the hart of your boat's systems, may be Stealth's new fanless 
I was reading some industry 
Sony's 7.2-megapixel digital still camera, the Cyber-shot DSC-P150, 
and looking forward to a near future where anglers will find their lake depth screens will appear in 3-D effect to more easily visualize the haunts of fish.
Since I am using the Amsterdam waterways quite often this is especially 
Some nice 
Two weeks ago I 
They even took advantage of that by offering value added services over the wireless network. That way the Wi-Fi network might even pay for itself so access can be free...
"In France, a company called Seapass is testing an SMS reservation service with several thousand ship owners, allowing them to make their docking reservations by text message, at 5 different ports off the Côte d'Azur (Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer, Les Embiez, Bandol, Sanary et port de Bouc.) Mobile users need only to send an SMS to a designated short code to: reserve a parking spot for their boat, request the weather report, request the sites to visit in the area, best beaches, best restaurants, historic monuments..."
Randy Repass has a new boat, Convergence. If you are the founder of West Marine, the world's largest retailer of boat accessories, then surely there must be a lot of electronics on board. And that is true. Here's an 
Although I really 
I already saw it in my logfiles, but looking at the press-coverage on waterproof MP3 players, I must conclude there is definitely a trend here. Oceanic's DV-X has been mentioned on this website before, and now CNETAsia 
so you can hear your favorite tunes or take an audio-guided tour of wreck sites or sea life."
and 
So when McMurdo beacons are under fire 
Don't know whether that 
Companies involved in developing this standard will have to push new products onto the market, and they will have to balance the future of their proprietary systems against NMEA 2000. I've highlighted this 
Every now and then a story comes along which proves that without skills, electronics won't do you a lot of good. Here's 
It is a "four AA batteries power built-in stereo speakers inside a water-proof casing that even comes with a hanger so you can hook it on your shower curtain rod or nozzle, turning almost any portable audio player into a waterproof shower stereo." I'm sure you can use it in a rainy cockpit as well...
Yachting World has published their ARC 
Yachting and Boating World (
"For example no less than three stands were devoted to devices to keep birds off boats — everything from whirly solar-powered helicopter-like blades to moving owls to clip on trip lines for boat rails. Hmmm. Items more effective at catching my eye included a neat car-toppable pontoon you can rig out on a lake or riverside using screw-in oil-rig style legs, a new waterproof switch panel from BlueSea with great design detail and fuse-blown indicators, and very nicely engineered polypropylene-moulded dinghies with modular RIB collar and sailing rig options from Walker Bay."
Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and MTN, is 
Although they are using terrorist threats to persuade commercial shippers to buy this product, this solution could be 
With seven cameras and lots of wireless communication of video on board you can imagine that crew members in the Volvo Ocean Race are 
Lots of PR talk here, but Delphi 
JLT is a supplier of rugged 
So if you've bought the 
Two interesting marine electronics 
The system transmits using multi-frequency (a "swept chirp" of 20 -80 KHz), which ensures greater performance in rough waters, according to NMMA."
Garmin 
Nobeltec 
ComNav has renewed its NX2 instrument package. Go 
A while ago there was this 
Can you imagine that here are still marinas out there that do not offer Wi-Fi internet access...? It won't be long before yacht owners 
"The Actisense NMEA combiner combines up to four variable baud rate NMEA channels (4800 baud default) into one standard NMEA output. In addition, it has an RS232 interface to connect to a PC, with variable baud rate, along with diagnostic and setup software, which allows the configuration of which sentences are allowed to pass through the unit, thus allowing the unit to act as a filter on overloaded data streams. The unit also has a CAN interface, to allow future compatibility with the forthcoming NMEA 2000 standard."
A couple of months ago I 
"RemoteVision is smaller than a palm PC and features a full LCD graphical screen and simple four-button control. It utilises wireless technology to instantly send and receive signals from B&G's h2000 Hercules and Hydra pilots and instruments. All readings from the instruments can be viewed on the RemoteVision anywhere on a vessel, "be it at the top of a 60ft mast in torrential weather or down in the galley preparing a meal," said the company."
Satellite radio at sea is nothing 
I guess Wi-Fi internet access is becoming a standard feature for ships like these, and so it should be. And 
"In addition to the SOAP technology, this service exploits XML to enhance the ease with which NWS customers and partners can integrate NDFD (National Digital Forecast Database) data into their computer applications. XML is a W3C standard that allows its users to create languages with HTML-like tags and attributes. The NDFD XML language is called Digital Weather Markup Language (DWML) and its schema can be found at the following 
If you are into wakeboarding and you'd like to have some music behind the boat, 
-“It’s the autopilot that’s the most important thing,” he says. And for autopilots, Kinney selected two Furuno NavPilot 500s and added a SC 60 GPS satellite compass."
I like the way the marine electronics industry is, finally, taking real advantage of economies of scale, standardization and innovation in the computer industry. This Navionics 