I took a peek at PolarView NS charting software about a year ago, but didn't write about it because I wasn't especially impressed (and there's a certain randomness to what I cover anyway). But times change and software develops, and I'm here to tell you that PolarView 1.5 (video introduction here) is pretty darn impressive. Given its app-like $40 price tag, it's a remarkably powerful program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. The screen above shows PV running on my little ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10-Inch netbook
with live NMEA 0183 data coming from the lab's N2K network via a Maretron USB 100. PolarView is quite unusual in that it uses a sister program, called PolarCOM, to do all its data interfacing and instrument displays...
This photo is not the best way to show off the high brightness of that 5000nits customOcean monitor -- because any LCD can look good at dusk -- but how could I possibly pass up sharing such a lovely image of the amazing modern J Boat Hanuman? And while 5000nits may be a new company, there's no denying that they've already scored some serious customers; after all, it's the legendary Jim Clark's wallet behind this Royal Huisman artistry. There's also some evidence that 5000nits really does put the juice to its screens...
At first glance Standard Horizon's new CPN may look like a fairly standard multifunction display, but note the "turn page" screen graphic at lower right, the small (but purportedly powerful sounding) stereo speakers, and the "Multimedia Chart Plotter" designation. The 7- and 10-inch CPNs have touch screens not only to help manage charting, optional radar, and so forth but also to select audio and video entertainment stored on front or back connected USB sources, or streaming over WiFi. And, yes, there is a Web browser in there too!
Real time fuel range -- as when it's calculated using actual fuel flow and tank levels -- is darn useful information; for instance, it should let you instantly see the effects of RPM or sea state changes not only on your MPG but also on your ability to get somewhere without a forced stop. Which is why it's neat that the Nobeltec 11 preview screen above shows the value as a number, as a circumference from your present position, and even as a distance along your active route. And there's an implication to this screen that I'm sure many of you will welcome (and may have already figured out)...
This is my favorite sort of show and tell. The guy doing the showing, Bob Hilliard, is the chief engineer involved, and the location was the nav station of the 105-foot ketch Apache, which will be a beta site for Bob's creation, the RAPC Nautilus marine PC on the chart table. I admit to being a bit dazzled by the boat, which you can gander in this old charter listing, and the Pinot Noir, but I'm thinking that's the most bullet-proof boat computer I've ever seen...
Grahame Shannon, who's been discussed here as the developer of Avia Design software, recently put together a PC, comms, and sensor system -- details here -- meant to showcase his latest AviaSail program. Then he went racing across the Pacific with it, which turned out to be quite the test of gear, boat, and crew, documented here. Grahame kindly sent along this report:
My search for Gizmo's navigation PC has taken a strange turn -- as you can see above, posed around a Furuno MFD12 -- and I'm blaming a Panbo commenter who recently crowed about scoring a 12v, fanless all-in-one Datalux iPix on eBay. I'm close to crowing myself -- and maybe a few of you will join me, as there are three left -- but I could use some geek help to better understand what's under the hood of this particular Datalux Tracer police car computer...
We had a false start in December when we first saw the PC charting program Expedition interfaced to a Navico BR24 radar, but as of last night this interesting possibility, and many like it, seem to be official. Read the full press release here. I think this means that Expedition and some other charting programs may soon be able to run a Broadband Radar, with or without a Simrad (or Lowrance?) multifunction display involved, but there are a few details of the plan and implementation that I'd like to know more about...
I've been trying to search out a low-power 12v PC for Gizmo, though I might give up for this season -- I'm so behind project-wise -- and it may not be such an issue once I install a decent solar panel or two. But it's certainly a dynamic subject, and one way to keep up is to watch the folks who are truly obsessed with power efficiency (and low weight)...offshore racing sailors. The photos of that unusual PC in the spartan interior of an Open 40 above were sent along by system designer Eric Steinberg, founder of Farallon Electronics, along with a few details...
Bless the Google (and the whole ever-improving info Web)! Minutes after I stumbled on this intriguing SailorPC tucked away on Avia Sail's purchase page, I'd found the manufacturer's product site with the high res promo photo above and downloadable brochure and manual, as well as pr about the "Engineers' Choice Award" it recently won and even what appears to a U.S. semi-wholesale distributor. This thing is very interesting, about as close to a modern multi-function navigation display as I've seen a PC get...
