Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvToSail
I am not that knowledgeable with the most up to date navigation electronics but I am wondering what the newest options and future trends are?
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The latest
MaxSea TimeZero software is the most exciting thing that I've seen in more than 10 years. If you haven't seen it, you need to. As a $350 software program, it can run your
helm or be used as a backup or planning tool. The performance of panning and zooming is unlike anything I've seen. Again - this is the new US version of TZ, not the older
MaxSea with the dongle software protection (there's no dongle on the new TZ).
There's also a version of TZ that's much more expensive that will allow
Furuno data across NavNet3D to be shared on the PC. That allows the PC to turn into another
radar head. If you have
Furuno NavNet3D, this might be a good option.
In general though, if you're using something like The Capn, Coastal Explorer,
Fugawi,
Maptech, etc. and are looking for the next thing, you should see TimeZero.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvToSail
I was wondering if anyone has had success integrating more than just navigation/GPS with their computers?
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That's pretty easy. I've been doing that with my
Raymarine equipment for years. I have a ShipModul multiplexer that grabs everything off
SeaTalk (and NMEA) and makes it available over Bluetooth or
serial (wind,
rudder, heading,
depth,
GPS,
autopilot, etc). There are a variety of ways to get data from your onboard sensors into a PC today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvToSail
Is there a solar charge controller with a USB or other computer interface?
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Yes, there are a few. Search on "PowerMonkey Explorer" to see one that's pretty good and includes a USB option. The nice thing is that it can charge its
battery from a variety of sources - use DC
engine power while motoring for example - and then powers devices from its battery. There are also options for AC, solar, and USB-in. The PowerMonkey is for smaller devices (phones, etc). They also have a PowerGorilla for laptops but I haven't seen it and doubt that it would get charged enough from the small solar capability of the PowerMonkey.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvToSail
I assume that the big electronic companies offer integration...how proprietary is their interface?
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Some are very proprietary. Some are very open. Everything is moving toward being open. There are usually ways of getting proprietary data out in an open way.