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 C�te 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."
Some nice new rugged LCD displays from Trident, up to 21.3", allowing you some great 'views' in the cockpit...
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 C�te 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