OceanLines » Simrad

Simrad-Yachting Launches New NSE Chartplotter Series

Editor — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:57:08 +0000

Simrad-Yachting, a division of Navico, yesterday announced the availability of a new series of fully integrated, networkable chartplotters — the NSE series. Available in both 12.1-inch and 8-inch displays (NSE12 and NSE8, respectively), the units purchased in North America come fully loaded with Nautic Insight HD high-resolution vector cartography. They are fully compatible with the new BR24 Broadband Radar, which we wrote about here, and the BSM-1 Broadband Sonar Module, as well as Sirius weather integration.

The company’s announcement yesterday said the units were designed for the ultimate ease-of-use experience, combining elments of Northstar’s legendary direct access functionality, with Simrad-Yachting’s “powerful menu access.” There is a new menu-driven user interface that includes specific user modes designed to “maximize functionality for specific boating segments.

New Simrad-Yachting NSE12 Chartplotter

Simrad-Yachting said, “key features include a rotary dial with logical push-to-enter selection that provides convenient function access and cursor control, direct access keys to simplify operation and an alphanumeric keypad that makes data entry a snap. NSE systems feature Simrad SunView™ screens that incorporate an innovative, low-power white LED backlighting technology. SunView displays are rated at a bright 1500 nits for full sunlight viewing and have a 120-degree viewing angle. A company official told OceanLines that some HDS models (the 7-, 8- and 10-inch displays) also include LED backlighting, but we think the incorporation of this technology is a significant step forward. Readers will notice that the best LCD HDTVs in the consumer market feature LED backlighting because it significantly enhances the LCD’s ability to create “blacker” blacks and “whiter” whites. In other words, LED backlighting significantly enhances the contrast ability of LCDs, which not only makes them look sharper, but improves their ability to work in sunlight.

: Split-Screen Display on New Simrad-Yachting NSE12 Chartplotter

The units feature plenty of connectivity and storage, with an onboard 80 GB hard drive and SD card slot, as well as front and back USB connections and both composite video and DVI-out ports. The DVI-out port will make connecting the display to a big-screen TV in the salon even easier than usual. The 12.1-inch unit features XGA 1024 x 768 resolution, while the 8-inch unit has an 8– x 600 pixel display. We asked about the possibility of larger displays in the future and the company rep said it “probably” would be offering them. When asked about the possibility of a front bezel color option, the humorous reply was Henry Ford-esque — “yes, as long as it’s black.”

Updates for the built-in charts will be available, but a final schedule has not yet been determined. We’d like to see Simrad-Yachting make these available permanently, in real-time, even if they have to charge a small subscription fee. The Nautic charts are capable of providing navigators high-resolution 2D and 3D shaded contour and satellite imagery information. In addition, the Nautic Insight HD navigation cartography includes detailed shoreline and safety navigation data including spot sounding, navaids and obstructions. NSE units are also compatible with Navionics® Platinum, Platinum+ and HotMaps Platinum cartography. In addition, NSE units feature Navionics TurboView™, a new dimension in navigation that offers smooth pan and zoom plus viewing rotation, as well as 2D and 3D Platinum and Platinum+ cartography chart views with depth and elevation contour shadings.

The NSE units are designed to draw low currents on either 12- or 24-volt systems and are waterproof to the IPX7 (submersible) standard. They have a two-year limited parts and labor warranty. Prices for the NSE12 and NSE8 are $4,595 and $3,295, respectively. The new line will be publically unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and units, the company proudly proclaims, will be available only two weeks later, on November 15, which if true will represent quite an accomplishment since several high-profile new product announcemtns in the marine electronics industry in recent years have proved to be somewhat…premature.

You can download the NSE Chartplotter Brochure (USA Sales) here.

New Radar from Navico is Game-Changer

Editor — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:56:53 +0000

Navico Broadband Radars for Three Brands

I know, you hear that all the time from marketing types, but I’ve had a chance now to examine the new broadband radar from Navico – which will be on sale in Q2 under the Lowrance, Simrad and Northstar brands — and it really will change how you use radar.

These new units from Navico employ a Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) transmitter that allows several major enhancements for the user. This is the first time FMCW radar has been used for recreational marine use. Here are a couple of highlights:

No “main bang” — the “main bang” is the clutter in the center of the screen that you typically see on the screen of a normal pulse radar. It usually obliterates any close-in targets, often for as much as 30 meters or more from the boat outward. When you think about it, that’s a serious detriment, since you’re not going to hit anything outside that zone.

Navico Broadband Radar Image at 1/16th Mile

The new radar from Navico virtually eliminates the main bang, distinguishing targets as close as 3meters. Add to that the high-resolution enabled by the narrow beam and the digital signal processing and you can now safely navigate that narrow channel through the breakwater, or up the creek while seeing every piling, crab pot and bouy on the way. Ok, maybe not every single one, but quite possibly.

Antenna of the new Navico Broadband Radars

Low power requirement — This FMCW radar requires much less power to operate. The typical power draw in operation is only 17 watts, with only 1.6 watts required during standby. That should be good news for all, but is especially good news for sailboat passagemakers on a strict electrical budget.

“Perfect” radiation safety — I say “perfect” because the certified “safe distance” from the radome while transmitting is “zero” meters. This unit transmits the equivalent power of 1/10 of a typical cell phone. That makes it a “huggable radar” as Navico President and CEO Jens-Thomas Pietralla, said during a meeting here in Miami. But it’s much more important than that. With such an extremely low level of radiation, mounting concerns have all gone away and it is now safe to mount your radar anywhere it works for you without worrying about irradiating your crew and guests. Not enough boaters are actually aware of this hazard with traditional radars, but they should be; and now they can take care of it.

“Plug and Play” — Since parent Navico has three prominent marine electronics brands, you will be able to plug this radar, and its single cable right into your Simrad, Lowrance or Northstar chartplotter with perfect integration. The prices announced by Navico appear to be competitive, too. For example, the Northstar-branded unit, compatible with the Northstar 8000i touch screen, M84 and M121 multifunction displays, has an MSRP of $1,995.00.

As a passagemaker, or coastal or offshore cruiser, you might wonder if this 18-inch radome unit will replace your bigger, high-power open array radar for your primary unit. I wouldn’t rule it out, but I don’t think so. While fishermen use their big open arrays to look for birds feeding on bait fish miles away, we use our high-power radar units for storm watching and long-distance surveillance and mapping. At a rated range of 24 nautical miles, the new Navico broadband radar probably won’t fill those needs. But as a secondary radar, and used in a primary role for close-in navigation, I think it becomes indispensable.

Let’s Outfit the Helm of the new Kadey-Krogen 55′ Expedition

Editor — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:15:56 +0000

The helm of the new Kadey-Krogen 55 Expedition Awaits Outfitting

On Monday, February 2, 2009, OceanLines will publish the first in a unique series of articles intended to demonstrate the current state-of-the-art of passagemaking-level marine electronics. We have been working with Kadey-Krogen Yachts and its vice president, Larry Polster, to demonstrate how each of four of the top marine electronics companies would outfit the newest Kadey-Krogen Yacht — the 55′ Expedition, which just arrived here in the U.S. and made its public debut at the Stuart Trawlerfest last weekend. The 55 Expedition will be on prominent display at the upcoming Miami International Boatshow.

For this series, we asked Furuno, Garmin, Raymarine and Simrad to give us their recommendations, based on a fictional Request For Proposal (RFP) from a a fictional couple just acquiring their new 55 Expedition. The RFP — which you can read in detail HERE – discusses the couple’s cruising plans, their general preferences in equipment, and the specific capabilities they require from the new electronics installed on board.

In order to help the marine electronics OEMs, Kadey-Krogen provided detailed drawings and specifications on the 55 Expedition, converting CAD files directly from the design into more portable document formats. The OEMs were each given the RFP and the boat documentation early this month and they have responded with their recommendations and rationale. Beginning Monday, we will present each individual response — one at a time, each day next week, concluding on Friday with a wrap-up and analysis of the series.

So, have a good look at this pristine helm station onboard one of the newest passagemaking yachts available and come back on Monday to see how Garmin proposes our fictional couple outfit the helm.