Most innovative M.E. awards 2007, and you?
General tech innovation awards are interesting, but what about our little world? In fact, I was quite slack about reporting the various boating innovation awards all last year, and so I’ve compiled a list of all the electronics-related awards in the four competitions I know of:
Feb., 2007 Miami Boat Show Innovation Awards:
* Consumer Electronics & Software: the CannonLink by Johnson Outdoors, with an Honorable Mention to Simrad’s GB 60 Glass Bridge System.
* Consumer Personal Gear: Speedtech’s Windmate 350 (ahem, apparently not yet shipping).
July, 2007 MAATS Innovation Awards
* Aftermarket Electronics: the McMurdo Smartfind Plus 406 GPS EPIRB
Oct., 2007 IBEX Innovation Awards
* Electrical Systems: ProMariner ProSafe FS Series (can’t find “FS” models)
* Furnishings & Finishes: i2Systems’ Tri-Light Technology (image above)
* Inboard Engines: Mercury Marine’s Axius
* OEM Electronics and Electrical Systems: EvrSafe Marine Technologies ISS-1040 * Outboard Engines: Yamaha F350 V8 Four Stroke Outboard (NMEA 2000, sort of)
* IBEX Environmental Award: Offshore System Deck Filler Gauge.
Nov., 2007 DAME Awards
* Marine electronics: Marine Reader from Secure Yacht Ltd, with Special Mentions to the Geonav 3 and Radiomarine’s Broadband 60
* Life saving and safety equipment: EvrSafe Marine Technologies ISS-1040 (again!)
Incidently, the DAME awards are run by METS (PDF awards report here), and the other three contests are all run by the NMMA and judged BWI writers, with a detailed awards report here. Interestingly, not one of my own four electronics picks for Sail’s annual innovation awards—which I can’t reveal quite yet—is on the above list! And of course your choice might be something quite different. Seriously, what is your pick for most innovative marine electronics product of 2007?
PS I know I left out the NMEA Awards, but they’re more about “best” than innovation, and will get their own entry.
My four picks for most innovative marine electronic products of 2007 are the following products, with the caveat I have not had the opportunity to try any of them first hand.
Navnet 3D – enough said.
Simrad A150 AIS + Simrad VHF Combo – For the ability to initiate a DSC VHF call on an AIS contact. (would be my top pick, except they lose points for not having first established standard PGN’s for the functionality over N2K)
Raymarine ST70 – Not for the color, but for the standardized instrument display concept (if Garmin’s product was shipping, I would have awarded a tie). Would rate higher in my list if the display was a little bigger and readable from a distance, and less power hungry. Perhaps Raymarine should consider a grey scale version.
HD Radar – shared by all vendors launching HD Radar product.
Interesting choices, Dan; thanks.
Now why aren’t more electronics enthusiasts stepping up here? Don’t be shy.
Don’t forget the Furuno SC-30 Satellite Compass.
Also, 2007 was really the NMEA-2000 breakthrough year.
Sail magazine arrived today. I went right for the Pittman awards.
I won’t mention product names here, so I don’t spoil it for anyone.
I see, I got one right out of four.
I entirely overlooked the chartplotter that won. With all the products announced in the fall, I completely forgot about this product line when I offered my suggestions. We gave this product a considerable lashing over their abbreviated N2K support, but since it’s come out that they promised to do better … and other vendors are guilty of far greater and un- repented N2K sins … I regret I didn’t think of this product when asked.
Your other two choices are interesting Ben, I would never have guessed.
What other products made your next to last cut ? Of my other choices did any come close to making your list Ben?