Electronics Update

I think we can all agree that one of the most groundbreaking areas in our boating lives has come in the electronics sector. When I first started, all we had back then were our paper charts, dividers and parallel ruler, a watch, and a compass. I even remember getting my first Loran set and thinking what would come next! So, to keep everyone updated here at the Boat & Yacht Report, we’ll do our best to get you the latest in all the current technology that will make your boating experience a bit more enjoyable and of course, as safe as can be. -Capt. Ken

McMurdo Smartfind M5 AIS Class A Transponder

First up is a neat gizmo from McMurdo. The McMurdo Smartfind M5 AIS (Automatic Identification System) Class A Transponder gives mariners the ability to view at a glance the AIS status of vessels all around them and provides access to a host of detailed navigation information.

The Smartfind M5, shown here with MOB screen and mounting bracket, can be a welcome and helpful addition to your electronics display.

AIS is an automatic tracking system used on ships and boats and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites. Once the domain of larger ships, advanced technology has now made this type of safety equipment available to smaller, recreational vessels.

Smartfind M5 is a flexible, low-cost, easy to install, user-friendly AIS Class A transponder, incorporating a fully comprehensive AIS MOB (Man Overboard) and AIS SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) alarm to aid MOB recovery. It provides on-screen Indication and internal buzzer when any AIS SART/MOB TXID (Transmission Identification) is received, an optional remote waterproof (MOB / alarm) sounder is also available. It also allows a “buddy list” of the vessels own AIS MOB IDs and associated crew name and has a steer to rescue MOB casualty target screen. The AIS MOB alarm feature is compatible with the McMurdo S10 AIS Beacon, Smartfind S20 SRS and other AIS SART devices. More info: www.mcmurdomarine.com.

_____________________________

THE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: KITS BOLSTER CELL PHONE/INTERNET CONNECTIVITY ANYWHERE

Enjoying life on the water or the road doesn’t have to mean a loss of connectivity. The new dual band Aura and Halo cellular booster kits from Shakespeare improve AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon cell phone and internet reception on a boat or RV, or in any location where phone signals are weak.

The unique compartmentalized design of these cellular boosters increases call clarity for multiple users in areas up to 6,000 sq. ft. Units feature a tough metal casing that ensures durability and weather resistance. Installation is simple, requiring no special tools or tech skills.

Shakespeare’s booster kits not only enhance cell phone reception, they also improve a phone’s battery life. The energy-efficient Aura booster consumes less than 20W, and the Halo, less than 30W. Their tough metal casings provide durability and weather resistance.

Compatible with virtually all US 2G and 3G networks, the Aura CA-VAT kit betters reception for up to five users simultaneously. Its indoor directional panel antenna and adjustable dials maximize signal strength throughout a vessel or other space.

Accommodating up to eight users, the Halo model works with virtually all US 2G and 3G networks. It also boosts 4G networks via a carrier-specific configuration (AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon). This full-featured kit poses the ideal solution for large vessels or spaces with poor signal, or those that require large

coverage. Halo’s completely integrated CA-V, CA-T and CA-A amplifier kits combine PCS and cellular dual-bands with 4G frequency, resulting in dramatically improved 4G speed for faster uploads/downloads with no buffering. Tower proximate technology automatically recognizes when signal overload to cell towers occurs. In addition to having manually adjustable dials for each frequency, the Halo model comes with built-in automatic shutdown.

Each kit includes CA-V, A or T amplifier, outdoor and indoor antenna, coax cable and a user manual. The AC power transformer for all models provides AC110V, 60Hz input and DC 12V/6V output; 12V/6V DC power is optional for the Aura. LMR240 cable is recommended for the Halo and Aura booster kits, which provides added flexibility and reduced circumference to ease installation. Shakespeare offers a two-year warranty on all its models. More info: www.shakespeare-marine.com.

___________________________________

GOST® Security, Monitoring & Surveillance Systems
Integrated with KVH® and FLIR® Products 

GOST Watch HD VIP Series packages provide high-definition surveillance using a high-speed internet connection through the KVH line of mini-VSAT Broadband systems, along with a penta-band GSM/CDMA cellular data communicator for use when in cellular coverage areas. The KVH mini-VSAT has the ability for intelligent “best use” network management switch that will automatically prioritize cellular data via the GOST G3G-GSM/CDMA communicator when inside cellular range and will automatically switch the data feed to the KVH mini-VSAT pipe when the boat is outside of cellular coverage.

The new GOST Watch HD VIP Series Packages include everything needed to remotely monitor all activities on board the vessel from anywhere in the world via computer or smart phone over the internet. There are several different packages available to meet the needs of yacht owners and crews. These packages combine the KVH and cellular data modules with the assorted line of GOST cameras and IVR recorders accessible over the internet. Watch live video of the yacht as it leaves the harbor or view activities in the salon, staterooms or engine room via the GOST Watch HD website or iPhone and Android apps. Cameras can be set to record clips to the website based on motion detection and sent via email to the designated recipients. Camera motion detection can be armed and disarmed by using the included push button. The system can accommodate up to 6 cameras per login.

A winning trifecta to cover security concerns are readily available with the integration of GOST, KVH, and FLIR products.

Vessels equipped with the GOST Watch HD System and FLIR M-Series thermal night vision cameras will have access to remote streaming video surveillance of onboard cameras. Customers will be able to completely control their FLIR M-Series cameras as if they were on board with a FLIR ‘puck’ on screen that looks exactly like the puck used for control on board. The easy-to-use, web-based pan, tilt, zoom and mode control interface on the GOST Watch HD website works like the control puck on board, with a few modifications that enhance the capabilities for remote surveillance. The most noteworthy of these modifications is a one touch “Surveillance Scan” button that instantly performs a peripheral sweep of the area immediately surrounding the vessel.

GOST Watch HD allows users to remotely monitor up to six analog cameras per login at one time to capture activity onboard and around a vessel from anywhere in the world over the internet using any computer or smartphone. GOST Watch HD apps allow customers to access and view their cameras with the touch of a button from their iPhone or Android devices.

The award-winning M-Series is FLIR’s premier line of maritime thermal night vision systems. Single-payload (thermal only) and dual-payload (thermal and lowlight or color video) M-Series are housed in a rugged, waterproof gimbal enclosure with 360° pan and 90° tilt fields for horizon-to-horizon visibility. http://www.gostglobal.com; http://www.kvh.com; http://www.flir.com

 

Electronics Review

Lowrance Unveils New HDS® Gen2 Multifunction Displays

Faster Processing Speed And New StructureMap™ View
Highlight Upgrades To Popular Fishfinder/Chartplotter Series

Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992 — announced today the next-generation series of the world’s top-selling multifunction displays, the HDS^® Gen2 High Definition Systems. Delivering the same award-winning benefits of the popular HDS fishfinder/charplotter series, the all-new HDS Gen2 provides faster processing speed and StructureMap™ view — a powerful, innovative tool that allows users to overlay and save StructureScan^® sonar images on a chart for review on and off the water.

Lowrance HDS10 Gen2 w/10.4-inch display

The new Lowrance HDS Gen2 displays feature double the memory and twice the processor speed of first-generation HDS models — providing boaters with enhanced responsiveness, faster start-up and menu operation, and lightning-fast chart panning and zooming speeds. When paired with the LSS-1 StructureScan Sonar Imaging module, users can activate the StructureMap overlay and scan images directly on a chart in real-time, or create StructureMap charts of their favorite boating, fishing and diving areas.

Compatible with Lowrance enhanced basemaps, Insight™ HD cartography, Navionics^® and all HDS-compatible third-party charting cards, the new StructureMap view provides a greater perspective of the areas covered by StructureScan sonar imaging. In addition, with the built-in recording capability of HDS Gen2, users can easily create and view StructureMap detail on or off the water — without the aid of a computer.

“The all-new HDS Gen2 delivers the same feature-packed consumer benefits that have made HDS a leading multifunction display worldwide,” said Louis Chemi, chief operating officer, Navico Americas. “Now, with Gen2’s faster processing speed and the new StructureMap feature, our early field-test reports indicate that boaters and anglers will be blown away by the performance and amazing views of real-time StructureScan overlay.”

All HDS Gen2 models with chartplotter capability feature an internal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAAS antenna — with an LGC-4000 external 5Hz GPS antenna available as an option. HDS Gen2 models with fishfinder capability incorporate the award-winning Broadband Sounder™ that delivers legendary Lowrance sonar performance with greater sensitivity, peerless echo clarity and underwater definition proven to find more targets. Lowrance’s premier TrackBack™ functionality allows HDS Gen2 users to scroll-back in the recorded history of Broadband Sounder or StructureScan sonar imaging to review structure or fish targets and pinpoint locations with a waypoint. To avoid losing important sonar data, HDS Gen2 continues recording throughout the use of TrackBack to ensure valuable readings are not lost.

Designed for easy viewing in all conditions, all Gen2 models feature a SolarMAX™ PLUS display with LED backlighting, for exceptional viewing in the brightest sunlight and from wide angles. Users can also adjust the screen brightness to as much as zero-dim for low-light conditions. HDS Gen2 models offer plug-and-play operation with an easy-to-use graphic menu system for more convenient access and control of key functions. In addition, HDS-8 and HDS-10 models feature six programmable softkeys for one-button access to the most commonly used menu functions.

Lowrance HDS5x Gen2 Multifunction

HDS Gen2 built-in mapping includes a U.S. enhanced basemap with coverage of more than 100,000 bodies of water with detailed shorelines and depth contours. In addition, select HDS Insight Gen2 models come preloaded with Lowrance Insight cartography, featuring shaded-relief depth contours. Lake Insight™ inland mapping (available with HDS-5 Gen2) includes nearly 5,000 freshwater lake maps with life-like perspective of bottom structure and topography. Nautic Insight™ (also available with HDS-5 Gen2) offers a superior life-like view of bottom structure with detailed coastal and offshore depth contours, plus navigation aids for the entire U.S. coastline. Insight™ USA (available for HDS-7, -8 and -10 Gen2 models) combines inland and coastal coverage areas of Lake Insight and Nautic Insight. All HDS Gen2 models are compatible with Navionics charts, and feature Turboview™ for high-speed seamless zooming and transition between 2D and 3D modes.

Setting the new standard in performance-module options, HDS Gen2 models can be networked and are compatible with Lowrance’s comprehensive range of innovative boating and fishing marine-electronics gear — including Broadband 3G™ Radar and the new Broadband 4G™ Radar with 36-mile range and beam-sharpening for unprecedented target separation; StructureScan Sonar Imaging for sidescan and DownScan Imaging™ picture-like views of underwater structure; SonicHub^® marine audio server for integrated access to music stored on an Apple iPod or iPhone; and LWX-1 Sirius^® satellite weather/radio. In addition the systems connect with the complete line of NMEA 2000^® sensors for affordable, real-time onboard systems tracking and engine monitoring data for improved fuel management.

The HDS Gen2 multifunction display lineup consists of seven models: the HDS-5m chartplotter, HDS-5x fishfinder, HDS-5 fishfinder/chartplotter, HDS-7m chartplotter, HDS-7 fishfinder/chartplotter, HDS-8 fishfinder/chartplotter, and HDS-10 fishfinder/chartplotter. Featuring the same 5-inch, 6.4-inch, 8.4-inch and 10.4-inch screen sizes, rugged and stylish industrial design, and plug-and-plug connectors as their predecessors, HDS Gen2 models can be easily networked together using high-speed Ethernet cabling for waypoint and data sharing.

Lowrance HDS Gen2 Series

All Gen2 fishfinder models are available with 50/200 kHz Skimmer^® transducer packs for deep water coastal and Great Lakes applications, or 83/200 kHz Skimmer packs for inland fishing. HDS Gen2 models are also compatible with Airmar^® in-hull or thru-hull transducers for up to 1 kW operation. Lowrance HDS Gen2 displays are protected by a 2-year limited warranty, and backed by the 5-year Lowrance Advantage Service Program.

Scheduled to be in stores by January 2012, Lowrance HDS Gen2 multifunction displays can be purchased from authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada. Minimum advertised prices range from $549 for the HDS-5x Gen2 fishfinder to $2,449 for the HDS-10 Insight USA model. For more information on the Lowrance HDS Gen2 series, the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics or to locate an authorized Lowrance dealer, please visit www.lowrance.com

About Lowrance: The Lowrance^® brand is wholly owned by Navico, Inc. A privately held, international corporation, Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G. Navico has approximately 1,500 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide. www.navico.com