Instead of buying this extremely pricey Itronix GoBook III I wrote about yesterday, you could also take a look at how PCs are entering the automotive environment. For most boaters this will be a perfect solution to all their entertainment and navigational needs. And since the car industry is providing economies-of-scale, prices will come down very fast.
"The compelling argument comes from the fact that a modern computer can do anything a car stereo can do and much, much more. Currently you can install name brand DVD, MP3, TV, radio, XM and navigation hardware into your car, costing you thousands and the possibility that it wont all work together. A computer in your car can offer up all those options and lots more to make sure you're distracted enough to plow through a farmers market. Internet access, encoded movies, gigs of MP3s, email, web browsing, in-car gaming, and even, *gag* office applications are just some of the things that a little box in the trunk can offer."
I have to agree with Gizmodo's statement that this is not the best looking laptop I've ever seen, but I'm sure some of you might still be interested in putting this machine to work on a boat...
"I feel kind of stupid, but Itronix actually told me about their new GoBook III here about a week ago, and I kept putting it off. Easily remedied, though, and gladly, because this ugly fucker actually hides a really nice laptop - Pentium M 1.8 GHz, Ati Radeon Mobility, all that good modular radio stuff - inside the typically ruggedized Itronix case."
SAIL Magazine highlights Rose Point's Coastal Explorer in their new gear section and they seem to like it. This product was released not so long ago.
"Coastal Explorer is a humdinger of a new PC charting program. It's remarkably fast and bug free for 1.0 software, deftly handles most raster-chart flavors as well as free NOAA vector ENCs, and has planning and underway interfaces that I find both comprehensive and comprehensible."
There's a new manufacturer of marine computer systems, Locomarine, primarily building Centrino based 'desktop' systems. At least conceptually they have a very good understanding of the value a PC can bring to any yacht. One of the simple but innovative features is the additional 'Dashboard control' unit with power on/off button, 4 USB ports and headphone jack.
"This new series 2000 model is based on high performance ultra low power consumption Pentium M (Centrino) 1.7+ GHz processor. It offers speed and usability as the strongest desktop machines with power consumption lower than many laptop models. 2000 model is prepared for usage of up to 4 independent LCD which give you a possibility to monitor all necessary information separately (radar, chart, NMEA information, sonar)."
Over at the World-Cruising Yahoo Group someone is considering to buy an Apple notebook for both navigation and business purposes. He has a couple of questions he needs answers to.
1. Is anyone out there using a Mac on their boat? Which one and how
is it working for you?
2. What applications (navigation, etc.) are there for the Mac?
3. If you have a Mac, would you keep your Mac or go back to a PC
(prices being what they are, by the time you get a PC up to the same
standards as the Mac, the price will be close to the same and so
price doesn't really enter into the equation)?
4. If you went back to a PC, would you use Windows or something like
Linux? Why?
Yesterday I read some news about MacGPS Pro, so that's a start, but I'm sure there's much more. If you have some tips, send me an email.
"MacGPS Pro works with almost all GPS receivers for a real-time display of GPS information on a moving map on the Macintosh screen, and allows import of maps from a variety of sources. These maps can be viewed with no GPS receiver connected, or used in real-time as a moving-map display."
So you would like to have a system onboard that integrates virtually every electrical and digital element that can be found on a typical megayacht so that you will be able to control it from various touchscreens? Superyacht reviews a solution developed by Naviops and Romagna.
"Imagine a central system that receives data from all the on-board sensors and systems, from those in the engine room for checking working status and engine efficiency to video cameras, intrusion sensors, fuel and water tank level sensors, radar, GPS, wind station, depth-finder, electrical switchboard, bilge pump alarms, air conditioning etc.. Well, all these data arrive at a central unit where, by means of touchscreen technology monitors, they are not only visible but can be controlled: this means that if we want to switch on the air conditioning for example we can do it from a monitor, just as we can modify the lighting conditions in each environment or carry out navigation by integrating the system with the plotter."
If you're considering to install a PC at the hart of your boat's systems, may be Stealth's new fanless LittlePC, rugged design, compact dimensions (10" x 5.82" x 2.79"), is something for you.
"Designed without cooling fans the rugged extruded aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink to dissipate internal heat and provide noise free operation. Littlepc.com's new Model LPC-401FL Fanless LittlePC is a small footprint PC that features an Intel 2.0 Celeron CPU clocked at 1.33GHz, passive cooled CPU processor that offers optimal heat dissipation and power consumption."
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."
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."
Would you like your computer (the one you've mounted in the cockpit..) to work while circumnavigating the Antarctic? JLT is a supplier of rugged computers that that can do just that and they have put some evidence online in order to proof it.
"JLT's line of computers are rugged (not ruggedized or semi-rugged) and are used in tough environments such as mining, construction, public safety, marine and logistics. They are built to withstand rough terrain, rain, dust and wind, extreme temperatures, water, etc."
Instead of buying this extremely pricey Itronix GoBook III I wrote about yesterday, you could also take a look at how PCs are entering the automotive environment. For most boaters this will be a perfect solution to all their entertainment and navigational needs. And since the car industry is providing economies-of-scale, prices will come down very fast.
I have to agree with Gizmodo's 
SAIL Magazine 
Over at the World-Cruising Yahoo Group someone is 
If you're considering to install a PC at the hart of your boat's systems, may be Stealth's new fanless 
Some nice 
JLT is a supplier of rugged