New Marine Electronics - Smaller, Cheaper, Better

The new season's marine electronics offer plenty of positives for the boat owner - excellent new features are being added to new models, but prices are generally coming down. Many products are offered with a smaller "footprint" than previously, and the design is more modern and exciting. Finally, almost all of the products on these pages use less power than their predecessors. All-in-all, it's a good time to update your boat's electrical gear.

Raymarine

Raymarine e7 Display

The new Raymarine display is a significant improvement on previous models, in a whole lot of different ways. You can still display whatever information you require on your plotter – including chart, radar, AIS, boat speed, heading, depth, wind strength and wind direction – and you can still format the screen to display the information in your preferred manner. The main difference with the new plotters is that they have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which opens up some new possibilities.

The built-in Wi-Fi immediately transforms your iPad or iPhone4 into a repeater. So navigators can take the chartplotter and all the instrument feeds up onto the rail or down below. Short-handers could lie in their bunk and check the AIS, chartplotter, depth and log read-outs to make sure the yacht is in no danger.

The Bluetooth connectivity allows the user to control the e7 via the a remote control unit, which can be mounted on the wheel or used as an independent handheld device. The remote control also eliminates the need to expose mp3 players to the elements, controlling audio playback remotely so that the player can remain stowed away safely below deck.

There are some other new features that improve dramatically on earlier models. For example, almost all sailors wear polarised lenses – if you don’t, you should – but until now most display screens were almost impossible to see with your sunnies on. Not any more. An advanced coating virtually eliminates “black out” from up to 160deg angle vertically or horizontally.

The new touch-screen will be excellent for anyone used to an iPhone or iPad, because scrolling can be done with the swipe of a finger. But cognisant of the fact that yachts leap around the ocean in big seas, there is also a rotary control.

Customising the display to your favourite layout is also easier, thanks to a new user interface called Lighthouse. Icons are simply touched to bring them up on screen, and drag-and-drop movements allow you to configure navigation charts quickly and easily.

The e7 is extremely fast, having a dual core main processor and a third dedicated graphics processor. It also features a super-bright LCD display, backlit with LEDs to improve overall power efficiency.

Finally, the e7 has a 48 channel internal GPS and is available with Navionics charts supplied on microSD cards.

The overall impression is that Raymarine has made a quantum leap with this new product release. It has been designed by sailors for sailors and is well worth checking out if you are ready to replace your old chartplotter or simply want the remote control and repeater aspects for ease of on-board life.

RRP: from $1895

Raymarine i70 Displays

These new displays have also been produced after talking with customers. The display digits are a huge 43mm high, so people with failing eyesight don’t have to reach for their reading glasses. The compass has been redesigned to give a more user-friendly display and the autopilot offers push-button or rotary knob control.

The 160° horizontal and vertical viewing angles ensure the screen display can be seen clearly from all angles – even sideways – and like the e7, the anti-reflective coating gives much-improved visibility in bright sunlight. LED backlighting offers lower power consumption - Raymarine says it delivers better colour and contrast while using up to 35% less power than other colour instruments.

The i70 instrument also has the ability to act as an AIS repeater, showing the 25 closest AIS transmitting vessels and enabling vessel information to be obtained from individually selected targets.

Like the e7, the i70 displays includes the Lighthouse interface, making them easy to customise and use.

Because of these bigger, more efficient and easier-to-read displays, Raymarine has now become a serious option for owners of top-of-the-range racing machines as well as for their traditional market of club racers and cruisers.

RRP: from $725 ea

Thermal Cameras

Raymarine was recently bought by FLIR, a leading supplier of night vision technology to the US military, and this experience has been put to good use for the marine division. The light and beautifully-designed hand-hand TH series cameras would be a valuable addition to the cruiser or racer’s armoury.

In a man-overboard scenario at night, the camera could literally be a lifesaver, and would also be extremely useful when making a landfall for the first time, highlighting buildings, bridges and other vessels.

AIS650 Class B and AIS350 Transceivers

The new AIS650 is a Class B transceiver unit, meaning it receives data from other vessels as well as transmitting data about its own navigational status to other AIS-equipped vessels. This “see and be seen” capability significantly improves navigational safety by making the boat visible on the chart and radar displays of much larger vessels. Captains of large vessels are presented with a comprehensive picture of the AIS-equipped vessel traffic around them on their chart and radar screens.

A key feature of the AIS650 is the user-selectable “silent mode” which allows the captain to temporarily suspend broadcast of identifying information on occasions where either privacy or security is required. Silent mode can be controlled directly from the Raymarine chartplotter or from an optional externally-mounted toggle switch which can be mounted anywhere on the vessel.

The AIS650 also features a built-in Secure Digital (SD) memory card reader. When the SD card is inserted into the unit the SD card reader becomes an AIS data recorder. This can be used to capture all transmitted and received messages for general system monitoring, accident reconstruction or incident investigation.

The unit has a 50-channel GPS receiver with built-in integrity management software which ensures the GPS positions reported by the AIS650 are of the highest accuracy possible.

The AIS350 is a receive-only product designed for small boats wanting the increased situational awareness benefit of AIS, but without the need for Class B transmitting capability. This low-cost alternative brings many of the safety advantages of AIS to a wider range of vessels than ever before. The unit features a new dual-channel receiver designed for fast acquisition and download of AIS traffic data.

Both products are built on a new compact chassis that is at least 50% smaller than previous generation AIS products. They also feature multiple data interfaces including NMEA0183, SeaTalk and USB (universal serial bus) for easy integration with PC-based navigation solutions. Both AIS products also support the NMEA2000 interface standard making them compatible with a wide array of third-party navigation products too. The AIS650 and AIS350 both require either a dedicated AIS antenna or the installation of the non-amplified splitter, supplied with the product, to utilise existing
VHF aerials on board.

AIS650 RRP $1318.90

AIS350 RRP $658.90

GME

GD9600 Marine Stereo Series

This updated on-board entertainment centre has all the attributes expected in a modern stereo system, with a CD/DVD mechanism, SD & USB inputs and iPod compatibility with an optional interconnect lead.

It is easily tuned to both AM and FM stations and your MP3 can be connected via the CD/USB/SD card and auxiliary inputs. Other features include 4 x 45 watt power output and an optional wired remote.

There is a choice of either flush or bracket mount, and either black or white fascia.

GD9620 Flush mount option RRP $299.

GD9640 Bracket mount option RRP $349

GX660 Hand Held VHF Radio

This radio floats and has an IPX7 waterproof rating. Large backlit LCD and keys make operation easy and the high-capacity, 1400mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery ensures good battery life. Recharging is via the 12 volt battery charger, which is included along with the belt clip.

GX660 Hand held VHF radio $299.

Stainless Steel antenna base and antenna whips

These stylish double-swivel stainless steel antenna bases come with five meters of antenna cable that has solder-less FME connectors to ensure trouble-free installation. To complement this new base, GME also launched a new set of antenna whips that have a stainless steel ferrule to ensure the fit between the base and antenna looks good and connects well. The new antenna whips are available in 6ft and 8ft lengths for VHF, 27MHz and broadcast radios.

Digital Yacht

uAIS - plug-and-play AIS for your PC

Digital Yacht has launched a new AIS product designed specifically for use with PC-based navigation systems.
The new AIS receiver, called uAIS, connects via USB direct to a PC or MAC and comes with a 5m USB cable. Its integrated antenna makes it a true plug-and-play AIS solution for your on-board computer.

Many boat owners use their PC with electronic charting software for on-board navigation and Digital Yacht says that many of these programs support an AIS overlay. They claim that the economics make sense too, with a PC and software often costing less than $800.

Installation is easy – you simply plug the USB cable into your computer and set up your software to view the AIS data. The uAIS unit itself can be placed in the cockpit, clipped on a rail or permanently mounted, and will typically receive targets from up to 10 nm even when mounted at deck level.

The uAIS will provide an overlay of nearby ships and other vessels equipped with AIS and also allows their identity, name, course and speed to be established with a click of the mouse.

The unit incorporates a powerful digital, dual channel receiver so that both AIS frequencies can be monitored simultaneously for the best possible performance. It is priced at $369 including GST in Australia.

AMI

Ocean LED

The Amphibian Series is designed to be used both in and out of the water. The lights are said to be extremely powerful but with very low power draw and no start-up current required. They are easy to install and can be mounted onto any transom, under the gunnels, engine brackets, t-tops, on masts as uplighters, and even on trailers for night launching. Maintenance is easy – just wipe away sea growth from its scratch resistant Tritonium Lens.

The New Hybrid Series is claimed to be the first high-powered underwater LED light without any external power supplies or driver boxes. Its integrated, built-in driver and electronics are said to eliminate installation complications of the past and result in a much cleaner, faster installation. Hybrids yield high light output, almost 40% brighter than its predecessor the 1520. The 30i is equivalent to any 50w Xenon underwater light on the market and most other high powered LED lights.

The LIET range of interior/exterior lighting reduces your house battery load, freshens up the look of a tired interior/exterior and minimises heat and fire risks onboard.
All driver and dimming functions are built into the LIET engine, eliminating the need for any external parts.
The LIET3 replaces any 20W halogen downlight, whilst
the LIET6 replaces any 50W halogen.

BEAT 100 Battery Technology

BEAT100 uses Crystal Control Technology to treat the sulphate crystals in your battery, increasing its lifespan by
at least 100% compared with an untreated battery, according to the manufacturers.

It works by renewing the active material in the battery; promotion of the growth of fine lead dioxide crystals on positive electrodes for a better functioning electrode; transforming lead sulphate which has crystallised on the negative electrodes into lead and sulphuric acid; and by reducing the formation of larger lead sulphate crystals.

Benefits include reduced running costs, shorter recharging times and longer battery life.

BEAT100 can be applied to 12v Lead Acid, Gel Lead Acid or AGM batteries when they are used in single battery operation.

Introductory RRP $199.

Nexus

MRC sensor for rotating rigs

The Mast Rotation Compensator sensor allows for changes in wind data brought about by rotating masts. It measures the angle and direction of mast rotation, correcting transducer readings to output more accurate information. True and apparent wind direction and speed are all adjusted according to readings from the MRC, which in turn assures an accurate course is steered by skipper or autopilot alike.

Nexus says the MRC can make the difference in ensuring correct sail selection during a race, or keeping a big multi safely de-powered on an ocean passage, for example.

The MRC is designed to work in conjunction with an electronic compass such as the Nexus HPC and data is fed through the NX2 server. The unit weighs only 40 grams and it and all direct connectors are waterproof. Current consumption at 12V is 85mA and power consumption is 1.0W.

nGPS Antenna

The nGPS Antenna represents a significant advance on previous models. It works on 5Hz updates per second, increased from 1Hz of the old unit, and it has 66 acquisition and 22 tracking channels. These features result in reduced start up time, improved accuracy and faster transmission.

The compact and water-resistant nGPS antenna is suitable for a wide range
of applications. It is manufactured for reception of differential correction data
in accordance with RTCM SC-104. It can be mounted directly on the deck, on
a pulpit or on a mast using standard mounts.

As the nGPS Antenna connects directly to the Nexus Network it means system installation planning is simpler and frees up an NMEA port on the Nexus Server, allowing for easier installation of peripheral devices such as plotters. Current consumption at 12V is 41mA and power consumption is 0.50W.

nWIND and nWIND RACE Transducers

Nexus has launched an improved range of wind transducers which connect directly to the display network via an integrated microprocessor. This microprocessor means that wind calibration happens as the wind is being recorded. The calibrated wind data is then sent to every instrument on the Nexus Network.

The system offers improved accuracy, quicker reactions to changes and the ability to add multiple wands to the same boat. Benefits include a faster reaction time of the autopilot system to changes in wind strength and direction and improved accuracy in the wind displays, which assists better decision making.

Another benefit of the new range is that using the same cable for the mast display and for wind simplifies the wiring around the mast, reduces weight and improves reliability.

The transducers also have the ability to store calibration tables in the system for True Wind Speed (TWS) and True Wind Angle (TWA), using the FDX software provided with every NX2 and NXR pack. It is possible to calibrate the masthead unit to take into account the effects of wind shear, making this a highly accurate wind sensor for both racing and cruising.

The nWIND comes with an easy snap-in attachment for forward-facing mast mounting while the nWIND RACE offers three mounting options: a vertical conventional flat base which is screwed to the top of the mast; a vertical spigot type base; and a forward-mount option.

Icom

Marine Commander Navigation System

The new Marine Commander from Icom is a very useful instrument, regardless of your reason for being on the water. The main processor is the driving force behind the new system and can integrate a compatible VHF radio, AIS transponder, radar and chartplotter.

It also has the capacity to display real time engine instrumentation via an NMEA 2000 interface (real time fuel consumption, engine speed, depth, temperature etc). The unit also features four RCA video connectors to connect on-board cameras
(eg engine, underwater). Up to four 12.1 inch TFT displays can also be connected (two processors required), allowing a variety of information to be displayed at one time. Each display is capable of operating in single or 2/3/4 split screen layout.

The display units also have ports for both USB drives and SD cards, allowing the Marine Commander to display chart information (C-MAP), and backup important data. When a compatible VHF radio and AIS unit have been attached, the marine commander system will allow DSC calls to be initiated through the main display unit.

RRP $11,660.