Maptech introduced a new product callled i3 which is basically a touch-screen interface to all important navigation data. It looks very good, and from a usability perspective this product is a nice example of a trend that will hopefully continue.
"If seeing is believing, then Maptech believes that just OneTouch of the i3 will introduce you to a totally new and exciting way to navigate. The i3 is an all-in-one solution that is built around OneTouch options. The sunlight viewable large marinized color touch-screen display lets you view and change charts and create a route and a lot more by just touching the screen."
Stealth Computer has come out with a nice new small form rugged PC, named LittlePC. Perfect for an install in a small environment close to a navigation table. Specs look good, but I don't think it's tested according to the IEC 945 standard like the marinized PC we mentioned yesterday. But then again, the price probably isn't the same either.
"The LPC-401X is an Intel Pentium-4 based small form computer system that is part of Stealth�s growing family of LittlePC�s. Housed in a rugged extruded aluminum enclosure this powerful & versatile machine runs a screaming 3.2GHz Processor and yet it can fit into the palm of your hand. The LPC-401 measures out at only 10" x 5.8" x 2.8" (about the size of a hard cover novel) and offers features that have only been available in traditional bulky desktop PC�s."
Finding a PC that can be used in the harsh marine environment is already difficult enough. But to find a marinised PC that rivals the performance of most regular High-End PCs was supposed to be impossible. However, a specialist company called Capax has one on offer. The "IPC-2402-MARINE-P4 - 4U IEC 945 Marine approved computer". Sounds impressive, and it is. Up to 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 with 800 MHz bus, a 10000 rpm SATA HDD and up to 15 RS-232/422/485 com ports. More importantly it is tested, and approved, according to the IEC 945 standard (and the Lloyds ENV2 specification), which was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as a means of testing whether computers are able to function in the maritime environment. Apart from the obvious rocking of the ship, the computers must be able to withstand the vibration, power drops and power surges. It must be able to high humidity and condensation, and be resistant to radio disturbance from other electrical equipment nearby.
So far I haven't been able to figure out what the price of this machine is, so if anybody knows, drop me line.
Over at Google Groups a discussion is going on that focuses on LCD displays that are able display NMEA data.
dbp:"With the cost of instrument maxis (mast displays) so high, has anyone out there come up with a simple solution? It seems like it would be fairly easy to have a program to read and direct the NMEA sentence to a commonly available LCD display. Use a plam pilot or similar to run a selection of what to display and to direct the info to a display. Any ideas?"
Glen \"Wiley\" Wilson:"...Don't forget to get something seriously water resistant as well. At least one of my customers uses a standard external lcd dsplay with his laptop and my program. He uses a bracket to swivel the display into the companionway for viewing, and out of the way when not needed. It's protected from the weather and direct sun by the companionway hatch cover when in use. It should be visible from the helm on most boats. Whether the trimmers can see it or not depends on the boat."
Interesting story in The Digital Ships' January newsletter (pdf) about the deployment of a 'Voyage Management System' that has a wireless (Wi-Fi) extension. This deployment is done on a large vessel, but some elements will definitely be useful on smaller (private) yachts as well. One of the more innovative features is that, via the handheld, the crew can check where passenger are in emergency situations using RFID tags. That, in combination with another feature mentioned below, makes it a great Big Brother tool...:
"The pocket computer can also show CCTV pictures from cameras around the ship, and history of where the ship has been and the alarms which have sounded. It can also serve as a trigger for the ship security alert system, so that seafarers anywhere on the ship can sound the alarm if the vessel is in an emergency. (Furthermore,) the wireless communications technology can carry voice communications, so the handheld device can effectively act as a radio."
If you are considering a PC for on board use, please have a look at the FlipStart Mini PC. Over the years there have been several attempts at producing such a small laptop, without giving up on performance. It looks like someone finally succeeded. It is a very portable one and allows you to connect wirelessly to any network, which is a huge advantage.
"Additionally, the unit will ship with MobileMail which "enables a more efficient email experience on low bandwidth connections while preserving battery life", and MiddleMan navigational software, which most likely refers to navigating on screen (scrolling and the like) which is aided by the scroll wheel on the right side of the unit."
Wireless displays, not Tablet PC's which are PC in themselves, will definitely have benefits when used while sailing. They will easily decouple the display from a computer that is used for navigation and all other kinds of purposes. Especially when they are water-resistant they should allure to sailors and Panasonic Toughbook MDWD Wireless Monitor is a good example.
"While not specifically designed for boats, this innovative addition to the Toughbook line will interest navigators who want flexible access to a yacht�s PC system. It weighs only 1.5 pounds, and its 8.4-inch, 800x600 pixel, color touchscreen LCD is both transflective and powerfully backlit."
Sailing World is running an article on how wires are being obsoleted by some interesting wireless technology developments. This could save cost and improve sailing performance at the same time.
"Is it far-fetched fantasy? Nope, we're talking here and now. With advances in wireless technology driven by worldwide market demand, racers can either equip their boat with a complete wireless system or upgrade existing instrument systems for wireless data retrieval and display. Wireless technology will allow racers to shave weight all over the boat. There may even be cost savings in boat construction, as boatbuilders will no longer have to spend precious time leading wires."
Maptech introduced a new product callled i3 which is basically a touch-screen interface to all important navigation data. It looks very good, and from a usability perspective this product is a nice example of a trend that will hopefully continue.
Stealth Computer has come out with a nice 
More importantly it is tested, and approved, according to the IEC 945 standard (and the Lloyds ENV2 specification), which was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as a means of 
Interesting story in The Digital Ships' January 
If you are considering a PC for on board use, please have a 
"While not specifically designed for boats, this innovative addition to the Toughbook line will interest navigators who want flexible access to a yacht�s PC system. It weighs only 1.5 pounds, and its 8.4-inch, 800x600 pixel, color touchscreen LCD is both transflective and powerfully backlit."
"Is it far-fetched fantasy? Nope, we're talking here and now. With advances in wireless technology driven by worldwide market demand, racers can either equip their boat with a complete wireless system or upgrade existing instrument systems for wireless data retrieval and display. Wireless technology will allow racers to shave weight all over the boat. There may even be cost savings in boat construction, as boatbuilders will no longer have to spend precious time leading wires."