If you would like to use your GPS unit when sailing, driving, but also when flying, have a look at Garmin's new multipurpose model.
"Garmin realizes that pilots are also motorists and many are active mariners, so the GPSMAP 296 is designed to move seamlessly between an aircraft, vehicle or boat. At the press of a button, pilots have access to the unit's Automotive and Marine modes."
"On the water, the GPSMAP 296 offers a worldwide marine database and U.S. tide data. When coupled with the optional Marine Kit (64-MB data card and MapSource BlueChart� CD), the unit displays such information as depth contours, inter-tidal zones, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids, port plans, restricted areas, cable areas, anchorages and much more."
Tony Gutierrez pointed me at APRS, an Automatic Packet/Position Reporting System. ARPS is a real-time tactical digital communicatons protocol for exchanging information between a large number of stations covering a large (local) area. As a multi-user data network, it is quite different from conventional packet radio. There are many APRS applications, and I will get back to that later. First, here's what Tony uses it for:
"I dont believe I can afford satellite internet, but I was psyched to find that I could use my amateur radio licence to broadcast my position to a web page map, and to recieve and send email while at sea. The position broadcasts are tracked by a site called findu.com which allows you to use your own web page to access numerous scripts that create a map of your boat's position for your web page visitors."
A company called Marine Robotic Vessels (MRV) International has developed the Ghost Guard. This brilliantly named vessel (an Unmanned Surface Vessel or USV) uses some technologies that will hopefully be available to all of us very soon. It will give 'push-button sailing' a whole different meaning...
So what's next? The boating equivalent of DARPA's Grand Challenge for autonomous ground vehicles?
"Almost any hull can be configured by MRVI as a Ghost Guard� to function as an affordable method of mounting water-borne surveillance in all weathers and by day and night. The heart of the Ghost Guard system is MRVI's new generation software, which comprises remote command and control, navigation, route planning/re-planning, event and crisis management, full onboard diagnostics and dial-up diagnostics. COTS-sourced integrated systems, including camera and vision systems, will provide surveillance that could not be mounted in any other way. Using a launch and recovery system, Ghost Guard can be deployed, operated and recovered from vessels underway." Click here to download the Ghost Guard video (62MB, .avi).
Since I was discussing Bluetooth-enabled devices already, here is a round-up of different Bluetooth GPS receivers currently available. Although the review is focused on the use of these devices together with PDA's with streetmap software installed, they are compliant with NMEA standards. This means they will work with your Pocket PC navigation software as well. Just beware of the fact that they are not necessarily ready for use in a (harsh) maritime environment.
There is definitely a benefit in using this type of solution over using something like Mitac's Pocket PC with integrated GPS: "The major benefit of a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver is that it doesn�t have to be physically connected to the Pocket PC. That eliminates a tangle of cables that dangle in your way while you are walking or driving. In addition, Bluetooth solutions let you position the GPS receiver for optimal GPS reception, and your Pocket PC separately for the best viewing. Bluetooth can travel around corners, and through clothing and other material."
I've talked about the potential of radar and navigation capabilities on cellphones before, but in Japan it is already happening. Although currently meant for navigation in a city environment, it's a perfect example of how cellphones are becoming powerful enough to perform such functions. Combine that with the fact that both cellphones and marine instruments are becoming more and more Bluetooth-enabled, so they can communicate wirelessly, and you will realize that we don't need a dedicated navigation-PC anymore.... Just the monitor.
"Japanese firms Index and Jicoux have developed a navigation system application that runs on 3G GPS phones with digital compasses (which, at the moment, means KDDI's au service in Japan). It includes the ability to show a "radar display" of the location of nearby friends, places of interest, or bus and train stations useful in getting to your destination. There's also a B2B aspect to the service in that, as with most web-based map systems, it would be possible to pay to have your business location displayed on the radar."
I've been waiting for something like this, and I know I'm not the only one. To have easy access to a database with up-to-date and detailed marina information is a great step forward, especially when cruising in unknown areas. And it will just be a matter of time before innovative services will be offered as an add-on. I would not be surprised to see some community driven and/or open source alternatives very soon however.
"Coming soon to the site will be the ability to make slip reservations and other important arrangements right over the Internet, as well as direct to one's chart plotter. Users will also be able to store screen pictures and routes saved in the 'My Marina' section."
If you'd like a more detailed view on things like NMEA-0183 and GPS, have a look at Peter Bennett's website.
"The NMEA 0183 Interface Standard defines electrical signal requirements, data transmission protocol and time, and specific sentence formats for a 4800-baud serial data bus. Each bus may have only one talker but many listeners."
"The National Marine Electronics Association has introduced the long awaited NMEA 2000 interface standard. The standard contains the requirements of a serial data communications network to inter-connect marine electronic equipment on vessels. It is multi-master and self configuring, and there is no central network controller. Equipment designed to this standard will have the ability to share data, including commands and status with other compatible equipment over a single channel."
Yachting World's April issue has (at least) two interesting stories, on radars and on rugged digital cameras. The articles are not available online, so get your copy at the news stand or subscribe to the magazine.
"All you've always wanted to know about radar: YW staffer Mike Kopman, himself a fully qualified superyacht captain, looks at the nuts and bolts of modern radar, examines the various functions and explains how they work - and their possible pitfalls. So, if you don't know your MARPA from your EBL then this is for you - plus a round-up of the latest sets."
"If your sights are set on simpler things, we've tested several water-resistant digital cameras and if you're new to digipix, there's a gentle introduction to the art of digital photography on board as well."
Review over at Powerboat Reports. In short the conclusion is that if you�ve got the space, consider Si-Tex�s Dynamic Duo, a plotter and sounder with separate screens that sells for about the same as the Garmin 188C, which is perfect for boats with limited room at the helm.
"Chartplotter/sounder combo units take up less console space and usually cost less than separate pieces. But if the combo breaks down, you�ve lost two important instruments at once. Not good."
Trailer Boats Magazine points out that an autopilot can be a very useful instrument to have on a small-boat. Now that's probably nothing new, but the article explains how this can also be cost-effective, since it generally requires a relatively large investment.
"There is a widespread misconception that an autopilot is useful only on ocean-going vessels that are used exclusively for long-distance cruising. The fact is that an autopilot is useful in far more applications than just cruising. Like power steering on your car, autopilot owners soon find that the pilot is an essential accessory, and not simply a frivolous luxury. Primary applications are for cruising and fishing. But, when a pilot is combined with devices such as Loran, GPS, c-maps, and radar, a very sophisticated navigation system is formed that can often outperform the captain�particularly in adverse conditions."
If you would like to use your GPS unit when sailing, driving, but also when flying, have a look at Garmin's new multipurpose model.
Tony Gutierrez pointed me at 
A company called Marine Robotic Vessels (MRV) International has 
"Almost any hull can be configured by MRVI as a Ghost Guard� to function as an affordable method of mounting water-borne surveillance in all weathers and by day and night. The heart of the Ghost Guard system is MRVI's new generation software, which comprises remote command and control, navigation, route planning/re-planning, event and crisis management, full onboard diagnostics and dial-up diagnostics. COTS-sourced integrated systems, including camera and vision systems, will provide surveillance that could not be mounted in any other way. Using a launch and recovery system, Ghost Guard can be deployed, operated and recovered from vessels underway." Click 
Since I was 
I've been waiting for something like 
If you'd like a more detailed view on things like NMEA-0183 and GPS, have a look at Peter Bennett's 
"All you've always wanted to know about radar: YW staffer Mike Kopman, himself a fully qualified superyacht captain, looks at the nuts and bolts of modern radar, examines the various functions and explains how they work - and their possible pitfalls. So, if you don't know your MARPA from your EBL then this is for you - plus a round-up of the latest sets."
"Chartplotter/sounder combo units take up less console space and usually cost less than separate pieces. But if the combo breaks down, you�ve lost two important instruments at once. Not good."
"There is a widespread misconception that an autopilot is useful only on ocean-going vessels that are used exclusively for long-distance cruising. The fact is that an autopilot is useful in far more applications than just cruising. Like power steering on your car, autopilot owners soon find that the pilot is an essential accessory, and not simply a frivolous luxury. Primary applications are for cruising and fishing. But, when a pilot is combined with devices such as Loran, GPS, c-maps, and radar, a very sophisticated navigation system is formed that can often outperform the captain�particularly in adverse conditions."