I like putting chart screens in Course or Track Up mode, except that sometimes they jump around too much. Illustrated above is a nicety I hadn’t seen before, control over how much your track can vary before the screen turns. In a similar vein, the 8120 also has a neat “Static Navigation” control that let’s you set a SOG number under which the speed always reads 0 and COG doesn’t change. {The picture—by the way, and bigger here—is in a style I’m working to perfect: sharply focused gizmo in foreground, soft marine scene as background. That’s a Fleming 55 and a Midnight Lace back there, both lovelies.} More 8120 notes:
* A negative 8120 surprise was learning that a NMEA 0183 data-in cable is not included in the box (though it is available, and I’m getting one to see how well this MFD will handle wind and other data out of the Airmar WeatherStation). In fact, 0183 seems to be slighted in favor of Navman’s own NavBus. Thus the 8120 will only plot DSC targets coming from a Navman VHF, which is odd as that’s usually a standard 0183 function. * Build quality of the these early-off-the-line machines is a tad dicey. The first one I got wouldn’t do video and I had to use a blade to open the map cartridge door. * While I’m normally a soft key sort of guy (which may be a tester’s bias: I use so many different machines that I like to get led through the command structure), I find the 8120 key set and nested menu structure, with its nice big fonts, quite easy to navigate. * Shown below is a unique (I think) and very desirable display feature; you can vary what Navman calls the Split Ratios so that windows can be sized individually. * So far, then, a few pluses and minuses; but there’s no doubt that the 8120 is a lot MFD for the money. I won’t be able to try the SmartCraft interfacing, but it sure looks good. I will eventually test the built-in sonar (the window below is simulated) and fuel flow support. By the way, there’s a nifty promotion going on, but not much longer: if you buy an 8120, or a TrackFish 6600, before 9/1, you can get a free C-Map Mega card.
Posted by Ben on August 23, 2006 2:41 PM
Comments
Hi Ben,
Do You know if the Navman 8120 has support for displaying AIS targets? How is that?
Posted by: Pascal at August 23, 2006 4:25 PM
No, it doesn't, but I have heard Navman/Northstar express real interest in AIS.
The lack of AIS support is very short sighted. With the availability of inexpensive AIS receivers, the whole AIS thing is a significant improvement in boat safety for anyone in the vicinity of commercial traffic.
I suppose they must strike a balance (as do all manufacturers) between feature inclusion and time to market.
Posted by: William Henry at August 24, 2006 10:05 AM
While the Navman 8120, when first released, did not have support for AIS the new, rebadged units Northstar M84 and M121 do support AIS. The instructions in the manuals are very well laid out to the use of AIS but there is no information on the hookup to an AIS receiver. The manual does mention which AIS receivers have been tested to work with the M84 and M121.
I have just ordered a M84 and have been searching the internet for system setup, the basics of the system are clear about the Nothstar Diplays that can be added to the unit, but are vague regarding input of autohelm steering modules or data from other nmea for input. I am not sure from the inputs on the back of the panel "Sonar" "Video" "Comms" "GPS" "Fuel/Nav" "Radar" or "Power" where to add other NMEA data.
Mike G
Posted by: Mike Gibson at April 7, 2008 10:25 PM
Mike, These units do not come with a direct NMEA 0183 input, which is a little odd. However, all you have to do is buy a short cable from Northstar which goes into that "Fuel/Nav" connector and splits into both a fuel sensor plug and 0183 input wires.
Posted by: Ben at April 7, 2008 11:33 PM
Can the 8120 output a video signal? I'd like to be able to send its screen output to an existing monitor with VGA/Video In connections.
Posted by: paul at May 14, 2008 2:41 AM
Sorry, Paul, no video-out on the 8120, now sold as the Northstar M121, and also--with new case and screen--as the Simrad NX45.
Posted by: Ben at May 14, 2008 6:53 AM
Thanks Ben. Is there a multi/combi display that DOES output video, or am I looking for the impossible?!
Posted by: paul at May 18, 2008 12:03 AM
Paul, the feature is fairly common among network level MFDs. Raymarine E-Series, Garmin 4- and 5000 series, and Furuno NavNet 3D all have video out ports.
Posted by: Ben at May 18, 2008 2:09 AM
Ben,
If an MFD has video output, as well as keyboard, mouse, etc. input, can a poor man's second station be configured using an inexpensive monitor and input device?
Raul
Posted by: Norton Rider at May 18, 2008 2:29 PM
Raul, the only system that completely fills that bill is NavNet 3D, which is pretty expensive to start with. You can use whatever monitor you want with a Ray E, but you'll have get their keyboard for input. Same with the Garmins, only you need their wireless remote.
Other equipment (AIS receiver, Raymarine instruments and autopilot) are all integrated using a Brookhouse multiplexer, sending NMEA0183 back to the plotter at 38,400 bps, via the fuel/data port.
I spent weeks trying to get the wind data displayed on the plotter. Turns out that the plotter will ignore the wind data on the NMEA0183 input if you have Navbus enabled. Disable Navbus, and the NMEA0183 wind data appears, but, off course, you lose the Navbus data (in this case the DSC messages, baro and temp data from the VHF).
Navman (Australia) said they might try to fix this in the next firmware update...
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