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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Practical Boat Owner 
Gizmodo 
Yachting World's May 
For more reviews of this interesting system you can visit 
Never mind VHF radios 
Great to 
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Following up on a detailed 
Not so long ago I was