Wet & wired: the marine network revolution

With so many different types of instrumentation available to boaters these days, an overcrowded dash console is a common sight. But a jumble of independent units and displays is a thing of the past. Multifunction Displays (MFDs) are part of a movement that's gaining momentum in the boating world--to create a network that ties all your complex instrument data together in a clear, comprehensive and configurable display.

Multifunction Displays

Two leaders in this trend are Garmin and Raymarine. Both manufacture powerful marine network systems. Called Integrated Onboard Networks, these grids of instruments use high-speed Ethernet cables to link discreet functions, such as radars, fishfinder sounders, weather data systems, GPS, chartplotting, MARPA collision-avoidance, DSC-polling equipped VHF radios and more.

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At the head of the system is the Multifunction Display. More than just a chartplotter with extras, a true MFD, such as Garmin's GPSMAP3010C or Raymarine's E-120, is the control center for your individual instrument network. Tum on the radome, see a CompactFlash chart of your route with DSC vessel locations onscreen. Check out the fish and bottom structure--even see a closed-circuit TV image of your deck--all on one screen. You can control instruments, customize menus, navigate via soft-key commands, select which data to display and where on the graphical interface--the Multifunction Display is the place where you tailor your readouts to serve your specific needs. Better yet, you can use multiple MFDs. Put one in the nav station and one on the fly-bridge if you want--they're more than just repeater terminals--each provides total command of the onboard sensor arrays.

The Garmin Marine Network

A. GPSMAP 3010C Chartplotter/Multifunction Display: See weather, video, sonar, radar and mapping on the 10.4" 256 TFT color display. Mapping is provided by BlueChart data cards or Fishing Hotspots. You can network multiple MFDs in different onboard locations.

B. GPSMAP 3006C Chartplotter/Multifunction Display: Marine chartplotting, sonar, offshore cartography, XM satellite weather and radar-all interfaced with Garmin sensor components. Configurable display windows allow you to customize the screen layout and data cards expand chartplotter functionality on this 6.4" TFT color display.

C. GMS 10 Network Port Expander: This hub allows you to add multiple MFDs or instruments to your Garmin Marine Network.

D. GDL 30/GDL 30A: Shows real time weather information on your MFD, thanks to the blackbox receiver in this powerful weather unit. It picks up and decodes XM WX weather data and renders it graphically on your display.

E. GMR 20/GMR 40 Marine Radar Scanners: Narrow 3.6[degrees] horizontal, 25[degrees] vertical beam width provides accurate target separation and penetrates through rain and fog. Shares radar data with your Garmin network.

F. GSD 20 Sounder Module: Turn your chartplotter into a fishfinder with brilliant color to reveal thermoclines, bottom hardness and amazing discrimination between fish and bottom structure.

The Raymarine E-Series

The E-Series of networkable MFDs and instruments combine data fed from chartplotter, fishfinder, radar and onboard video into a customizable and easy to use navigation grid. Instantly transfer radar, chartplotter, fishfinder and navigation functions between displays using Raymarine's SeaTalk 100 megabit high-speed network. The displays take onboard integration even further with four video inputs for viewing composite video sources like docking, engine room, or underwater cameras. A VGA output connects to remote PC monitors.

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The E-80 and E-120 multifunction displays feature massive viewable screen area--8.4" for the E-80 and 12.4" for the E-120, 256 TFT color--while enabling your network to integrate with Teleflex and Volvo electronic engine instruments to provide a virtual engine diagnostic display. Visit www.raymarine.com to learn more about engine compatibility.

Advanced "High Bright" LCD screens are fully viewable in all conditions--even direct sunlight. The onboard graphics coprocessor delivers instantaneous chart redraw and sharp graphics. The MFD is housed in a rugged aluminum chassis and is waterproof to CFR 46 standards. All the peripherals are self-configuring, making installation painless. This is Raymarine's ultimate integrated electronics system.

Wireless Options

"But wait," you say, "my boat isn't set up to have yards of Ethernet cable snaking from one instrument to the next!" For you, Tacktick has introduced the Micronet system of wireless instruments. It's the ultimate plug-and-play network--you don't even have to "plug" anything--to add a display or sensor to the network, just hold it next to an existing component of the Micronet system and turn it on. The new component automatically assimilates itself into the grid. Amazing, Micronet components, including speed, depth, wind, compass and GPS are all solar powered so there are no cables to run. Even the masthead wind transducer is wireless.

Bulky, individual instruments and displays are becoming relics of the past. Sleek, integrated, customizable networks are helping boaters get their navigational data in better ways. The days of monochrome screens with meager visual information are quickly fading--now is the era of full-color integrated sensor displays that would make the starship Enterprise jealous. Get wired (or go wireless) and you'll never go back. All products discussed above are available at West Marine stores, online at westmarine.com or by calling 1-800-BOATING.

By Chuck Hawley, Vice President of Product Development, West Marine

COPYRIGHT 2005 Boat Owners Association
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group