Marine Computers

[barnakiel]

Dacust, you must be talking of the monitors with contrast just good for the navtable, if you keep the windows shut. But the sunlight viewable stuff uses way more energy. The oled won't but it is not yet here.

However, reading your msg and checking against the web I found you are right - probably now possible to get the numbers you quote, rather than what I quoted.

I noted this year Acer introduced some model which are "36%" more power efficient. Good.

b.

[chris blair]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Dacust, you must be talking of the monitors with contrast just good for the navtable, if you keep the windows shut. But the sunlight viewable stuff uses way more energy. The oled won't but it is not yet here.

However, reading your msg and checking against the web I found you are right - probably now possible to get the numbers you quote, rather than what I quoted.

I noted this year Acer introduced some model which are "36%" more power efficient. Good.

b.

b.,

I just redid my test to be sure I remembered this correctly. With the Argonaut screen powered and running opencapn I read 10 amps at 12.8v. when I remove power it drops to 8.5. That's less than 19.2 watts for a very sunlight readable 15" screen. Not bad!

Regards,
Chris
SV Toucan Dream

[dacust]

Originally Posted by chris blair

b.,

I just redid my test to be sure I remembered this correctly. With the Argonaut screen powered and running opencapn I read 10 amps at 12.8v. when I remove power it drops to 8.5. That's less than 19.2 watts for a very sunlight readable 15" screen. Not bad!

Regards,
Chris
SV Toucan Dream

Wow, that's dramatically lower than even the ones I found!

[dacust]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Dacust, you must be talking of the monitors with contrast just good for the navtable, if you keep the windows shut. But the sunlight viewable stuff uses way more energy. The oled won't but it is not yet here.

However, reading your msg and checking against the web I found you are right - probably now possible to get the numbers you quote, rather than what I quoted.

I noted this year Acer introduced some model which are "36%" more power efficient. Good.

b.

Yep, when I looked for a link for my post, I was surprised they were that low. That's good news. But they are still a grand to start. And 1,500 with touchscreen. But that's way cheaper than a coupla years ago.

-dan

[barnakiel]

OK, and the Argonaut price how does it stand up against a thing like Garmin 620 (which I believe is about 750 USD) ? BTW are the connectors (power and data) fully waterproof (IPX7)?

I love the idea of having only "household' electronics onboard - hate to pay for things that are supposed to do only one thing, cost me loads, and then they are often the first to break.

b.

[chris blair]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

OK, and the Argonaut price how does it stand up against a thing like Garmin 620 (which I believe is about 750 USD) ? BTW are the connectors (power and data) fully waterproof (IPX7)?

I love the idea of having only "household' electronics onboard - hate to pay for things that are supposed to do only one thing, cost me loads, and then they are often the first to break.

b.

B.

You have to do an apples to apples comparison. The Garmin 620 has a 5" screen. The Argonaut is 15"! A better comparison is the Garmin 5208 which sells at discount houses for $4700 + chart chips! The system I'm suggesting is a better alternative is about $350 for the computer, $200 for the operating system (assuming Windows, the most expensive option), $1000 for the screen. $1550 Vs $5000. Pretty simple math to me. As to to the connections and cables they're sealed into the back of the unit and are long enough that it is easy to protect the connections from the elements. I'm still a little old fashioned so I also keep paper charts as well. I think the day will come when this isn't even necessary for me. Some are already getting rid of them. And we could run the computer system on either of the laptops for additional redundancy.

Last point in favor is the quality of the charts. There are several sources of excellent charts for the Bahamas. None are available to Raymarine users (the most popular chart plotter). Several are available to run on the computer systems.

I guess the only concern I can voice about computer based systems is the reliability of the operating system and the hardware itself. Laptop back up and a properly marinized computer address this to me. Our last trip to the Bahamas we used the laptop with the Argonaut displaying Explorer digitized charts the entire time even though we have a Raymarine E120 at the helm. The Raymarine charts just aren't usable at all.

Regards,
Chris

[Curmudgeon]

By the time you get to a sunlight viewable screen and decent weatherproofing you are already above the cost of a Garmin 545, 620 or 640, and those come with a complete set of charts.

I have an old Sony Vaio laptop at the nav station. It's my entertainment center as well as my backup GPS (using Rose Point). Every week I back up my data on a portable drive which goes in a waterproof bag.

If the vaio dies, I'll just buy another laptop. Taiwanese electronics are comsumables, not capital investments. The processor and operating system will be out of date in 2-3 years no matter how much you spend initially.

[bobfnbw]

" the reliability of the operating system"

isn't that a fact.
DO NOT use for mission critical applications.... lol.
What about linux?

[chris blair]

Originally Posted by bobfnbw

" the reliability of the operating system"

isn't that a fact.
DO NOT use for mission critical applications.... lol.
What about linux?

Linux is OK for people that know it. Certainly seems to be more reliable but for us the switch would require massive change and isn't something we want to do while underway. Next time we're "in port" at the condo I may play with it. But we do everything online when we're on the boat from taxes to bills, to emails, mail drops, blog updates when we're on the boat (about 9 months per year). And we go to some very remote places with no infrastructure I don't know if we'll be in for that much change. Ironically, my laptop and onboard computer have proven more reliable than my chart plotter even though I'm running windows. And when the chart plotter fails we're talking about a 3 week turn around! I'm getting more and more convinced a redundant Windows system (the computer part is only $350) is cheaper, more reliable, and way more flexible than my $5000 Raymarine E-120. The $50 Globalstar USB GPS puck is definitely more reliable than the $250 Raystar GPS... it loses signal when there are heavy storms quite often. It doesn't last long but can be scary when you're in crowded areas or close to navigation hazards. Radar helps but when you're "white outed" with driving rain it is hard to "see" anything else but rain. Thankfully this too only usually lasts a few minutes.

Regards,
Chris
SV Toucan Dream

[ColdFusion]

Can I suggest Ubuntu as a version of Linux worth trying. It's totally free, runs on low-spec computers, is generally faster than Windows (especially Vista) and has a look and feel more like Windows than the Linux of old. You can also install it on the same hard drive as Windows, if required, to give you a dual-boot machine - when you power up you are given the option of booting into Windows or Ubuntu. You can do all your browsing, blogging and emailing and OpenPCN runs on it too.

All you need to know is here: Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

[chris blair]

Thanks! I'll give it a whirl nxt time we're back.

[bobfnbw]

I have wanted to play with linux and its varieties for a while now.
The only thing stopping me really is the thought of getting drivers for things like printers, and such and the possible problems of software compatability.
Other than that, what I know about linux (not to much but some) is that it is a much more robust system with broad user support and its free, or next to it. But the software issue is one that is hard to overcome. Most software written is made for windows. But a dual boot option is considering.
Bob

[James S]

Thanks for starting this thread....I'm hanging on every post!!
Just got the electrical system done and now have to figure out what to do with the nav stuff.
Dealing with opening and posting on this forum is the full extent of my tech savvy.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by James S

Just got the electrical system done and now have to figure out what to do with the nav stuff.
Dealing with opening and posting on this forum is the full extent of my tech savvy.

Well James, here's a bit of sage (I think) advice. Just buy a regular, good quality laptop and have it run the regular, good quality Microsft vista. Don't play with weird operating systems like Linux, Ubantu ect, don't do backwards and buy an old version of Windows etc thinking it will be better than a new version.

Back up the computer onto DVD often.

Replace, or be ready to replace, the computer every 2 years.

We keep the laptop in its bag at sea so most moisture misses it.


Ahhhhhh, everything is then easy


Anyone can help you, your computer will be compatable with most everyones. You will be able to use all the worlds real nav programs, the weather programs, everything

[chris blair]

Folks,

Here's a couple of tricks I've picked up over the years that have enabled me to go failure free for over 10 years with my boat computers:

• Replace the HD every 3 years, MTBF starts to creep up after that.
• Take the entire thing apart and thoroughly soak all the connections (memory, and board connectors, HD connections) with Boeshield T-9. Leave it open until all the solvent dries. If the CPU is plugged in instead of soldered in do it too but be careful not to spray the case as the waxy residue can reduce heat transfer. T-9 is the same product Boeing uses to seal electrical connections inside their airframes before they put the interior moldings in.
• Back up often to an external HD or DVD.
• If there's a chance of lightning put the computer and/or hard drive and spare gps/vhf in the oven. It is almost a perfect Faraday box. Don't forget to remove them before you cook!

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Chris
SV Toucan Dream