Cheyenne's record attempt is nearing a successful end, but this quote from one of the crew shows us why it is important to have the right equipment.
"For now the rain pours down, and we are happy to be maintaining 10kts of boatspeed. Any hour, the sky should clear, the north-easter fill, and the boat begin to pound into trade wind swells. The crew has profited from the downpour to shower and wash clothes between sail changes. Unfortunately, the humidity has killed the crew correspondence computer. Efforts are underway to resuscitate it, but I suspect a soggy motherboard."
Although there has been a lot of writing around Panasonics' Toughbook, there is another big player, Itronix, when it comes to deploying 'ruggedized' notebooks in the difficult military environment. It is also preferred choice for many boaters.
"The worst test (those with a sensitive disposition may want to skip this part) was to load up a Barney game on the machine and deploy them to kids at a pool. The tots actually played the program underwater and surprisingly the Itronix survived even though there were other (unnamed) notebooks in the test apparently that didn't."
It's not because the are the best or the first, but the news that HP has introduced a rugged notebook (nr3600) and a rugged Tablet PC (tr3000) shows that these types of computers are becoming mainstream. And that's good news, from a pricing perspective, for the non-industrial users that would like to use them on a boat for instance...
"The computer giant on Thursday unveiled a rugged notebook PC and tablet PC designed to absorb punishment from vibration or shock, repel water during inclement weather--and keep on working. "After listening to customers in industries such as the public sector, government and law enforcement, we're responding to their needs by bringing rugged, mobile solutions into the mainstream.""
The concept of marinas offering Wi-Fi internet access will by now be clear to most. Fortunately, more and more service providers are popping up, all over the world. YachtMama's YachtSpot is the latest, so check out whether you're lucky enough to be able to get your email on board very soon.
"Providing a dependable Internet connection at a marina and surrounding areas is similar to the wireless internet in your home or office. This system allows slip renters and visitors access to your private connection. Our systems are capable of extending the signal at up to 1+ miles out to sea. Users can easily check email, news, weather, stock performance, or nautical maps while mooring on their boat."
Also today, D-Link has introduced the AirPremier DWL-2700AP, the first weatherproof 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) wireless access point for use in marinas or on large yachts.
"With a die-cast watertight housing and a built-in heater, the 11-by-6-inch inch device can withstand rain, snow, sleet, humidity and even a lightning strike, the company says. It draws power through an Ethernet network cable and is compatible with the latest network management and wireless security protocols. It has a range of nearly 2,000 feet, and available antennas can extend that even further."
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."
The BBC is running a story on the advances of in-car entertainment. It's not difficult to see how all of this can be applied to yachts as well. Especially the smaller, multi-cabin, boats will benefit from the economies of scale that are being realized in the automotive industry. It's not difficult, nor very expensive (Amazon), to create a personalized entertainment set-up in every cabin. And in the cockpit or saloon as well for that matter. In case you don't feel like any roof-mounted displays, why not use Sony's new wireless Air Board (LF-X1) which is for sale as of last Friday.
One other nice feature that is discussed by the BBC article is voice-control over all these entertainment devices. Again, the development in the automotive sector will create a precedent for yachting. Voice-control can not only be applied to entertainment, but to navigation as well, even more since PC technology is making a strong entry into the maritime environment.
"We're also building in 20GB hard drives Now you can take your home movies, and potentially other DVDS, record them onto a disc, record them onto a unit and keep them in the car. Now you don't actually have to bring in the DVD or the discs."
"A lot of it is voice-controlled and voice-interactive as well, the navigation systems, for example. But voice technology is far from perfect, and a screen can also be a life-saver. A rear view mirror can be connected to a video camera on the back bumper, or simply show an image of the backseat, obviously of potential use for baby monitoring."
Came across a company, Kent Modular Electronics, supplying marinised multipurpose LCD displays. They have a new 23.1'' model. Great for displaying instrument data, but even better for watching "A Perfect Storm" in the cockpit when anchored in a nice and calm Caribbean bay... Not sure if it is an NEMA 4/4X industrial grade monitor, but if it isn't you can always go for Stealth's 21'' monitor, which is waterproof.
"KME has ruggedised a high resolution TFT panel and a versatile analog-digital converter board. A milled aluminium front plate gives exceptional stability to the construction. Brightness is dimmable for night operation by rotary control on the front plate. The AC power indicator (LED) luminance is controlled by a photo-diode for automatic dimming as the ambient lighting reduces. The Dimming Ratio is > 2000:1. Resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 pixels can be displayed with superb image quality. A multi-layer coated toughened glass panel gives contrast enhancement as well as protection to the TFT panel itself. The MP version will also display PAL/NTSC signals."
Earlier this week I posted about two high-end marinized PCs that recently got on the market. Stealth's LPC-401X and Capax's IPC-2402-MARINE-P4. Since I had no experience with either one of them, I let the experts do the talking. Gizmodo tipped Stealth as the winner, and Glenn Ashmore provided a compelling case for this machine as well on Google Groups.
"The Stealth is an extremely ruggedly built industrial computer and with audio, USP and Firewire on the front panel and the back it is a lot more
convenient to use. While it is not IEC-945 certified it is desighed for mounting on machines in a factory environment and would meet the vibration and shock load test better than the CAPAX. The only question I would have is the requirement for 10 minutes of 2KV 2.5Khz pulses into the supply line. That spec looks like it is to test normal mains 120/240V filtered power supplies and would probably not be appropriate for 18VDC supplies."
"If you are on a 75' or larger mega yacht that otherwise qualifies for SOLAS, the CAPAX it may be worth it but for a typical 40-50' yacht constrained for space and power the Stealth would definitely be a better choice."
Cheyenne's record attempt is nearing a successful end, but this quote from one of the crew shows us why it is important to have the right equipment.
Although there has been a lot of 
It's not because the are the best or the first, but the 
"The computer giant on Thursday unveiled a rugged notebook PC and tablet PC designed to absorb punishment from vibration or shock, repel water during inclement weather--and keep on working. "After listening to customers in industries such as the public sector, government and law enforcement, we're responding to their needs by bringing rugged, mobile solutions into the mainstream.""
The concept of marinas offering Wi-Fi internet access will by now be clear to most. Fortunately, more and more service providers are popping up, all over the 
Also today, D-Link has introduced the AirPremier DWL-2700AP, the first weatherproof 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) wireless access point for use in marinas or on large yachts. 
Since I was 
I've been waiting for something like 
One other nice feature that is discussed by the BBC article is voice-control over all these entertainment devices. Again, the development in the automotive sector will create a precedent for yachting. Voice-control can not only be applied to entertainment, but to navigation as well, even more since PC technology is making a strong entry into the maritime environment.
Came across a company, 
"KME has ruggedised a high resolution TFT panel and a versatile analog-digital converter board. A milled aluminium front plate gives exceptional stability to the construction. Brightness is dimmable for night operation by rotary control on the front plate. The AC power indicator (LED) luminance is controlled by a photo-diode for automatic dimming as the ambient lighting reduces. The Dimming Ratio is > 2000:1. Resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 pixels can be displayed with superb image quality. A multi-layer coated toughened glass panel gives contrast enhancement as well as protection to the TFT panel itself. The MP version will also display PAL/NTSC signals."
"The Stealth is an extremely ruggedly built industrial computer and with audio, USP and Firewire on the front panel and the back it is a lot more