New Zeus S chartplotter

[sailingunity]

Looks to be fairly new, but B&G appear to be soon releasing a "S" chartplotter.

Specs are comparable to the 3S, minus the physical keypad.

I'm guessing this meant to slot in between the Vulcan and the 3S.

S vs 3S:

S has slightly higher screen resolution
S is about 30% heavier
S has almost 50% higher "max" power consumption. (20 watts vs 29 watts)
S supports IP cameras
S only supports 12 V (3S is 12/24)

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

Looks to be fairly new, but B&G appear to be soon releasing a "S" chartplotter.

Specs are comparable to the 3S, minus the physical keypad.

I'm guessing this meant to slot in between the Vulcan and the 3S.

S vs 3S:

S has slightly higher screen resolution
S is about 30% heavier
S has almost 50% higher "max" power consumption. (20 watts vs 29 watts)
S supports IP cameras
S only supports 12 V (3S is 12/24)

Never will I have a touch screen-only interface on my navigation plotter. Been there, done that, hate it. Touch screens are not suitable for boats in a seaway.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Never will I have a touch screen-only interface on my navigation plotter. Been there, done that, hate it. Touch screens are not suitable for boats in a seaway.

^^^ This is my experience and preference as well. Redundant physical controls are not optional for me.

YMMV

Cheers, Bill

PS: However, if the S model will work with their MFD remote control (we use one to control a Zeus2 MFD at our upper helm station) then that is a solution (which likely negates any cost savings...)

[sailingunity]

Originally Posted by wrwakefield

PS: However, if the S model will work with their MFD remote control (we use one to control a Zeus2 MFD at our upper helm station) then that is a solution (which likely negates any cost savings...)

Yeah it probably does.

I've been on the fence for literally years about getting a physical chart plotter. My first year out I used an iPad with iNavX, and it worked ok, but crashed on my at a really critical time (overheated in the sun), so I bought a Galaxy Active Tab Pro, which is milspec, waterproof and brighter than the iPad, but in full sun it's still not quite bright enough. Plus I've STILL had he app crash on me (quite randomly), the idea of getting a device that is dedicated to navigation is pretty tempting.

I could always use the tablet if I wanted to look at satellite images.

[pietvdiemen]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

Specs are comparable to the 3S, minus the physical keypad.

I'm guessing this meant to slot in between the Vulcan and the 3S.

Assuming the yacht article* is correct, then the new Zeus S is Android based. (I suspect it was Qt before). Who knows, maybe B&G want the option to also offer apps in future?

My guess would be, that this is the start of a brand new model series.


*(german, sorry) https://www.yacht.de/ausruestung/ele...h-bei-b-and-g/

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by pietvdiemen

Assuming the yacht article* is correct, then the new Zeus S is Android based. (I suspect it was Qt before). Who knows, maybe B&G want the option to also offer apps in future?

My guess would be, that this is the start of a brand new model series.


*(german, sorry) https://www.yacht.de/ausruestung/ele...h-bei-b-and-g/

Good news if it’s android based, means it will be hacked soon and limitations lifted. What is really bad with B&G is that with their mirror app you cannot remote steer the autopilot. You can with Raymarine and Garmin, Rest I don‘t know.
I just have space for a 7“ plotter on the helm station, so I mirror to IPad Pro and always use the 12,9“ screen instead 7“ chartplotter, so B&G is a no Go.

Weather you can use a tablet as primary navigation source depends first on your helm station and 2nd to the casing of your tablet.
On my cat the location of the tablet is always in the shade permanently and also very protected plus always connected to USB. 2nd I have a military spec water and shockproof case, it survived an 8m rogue wave going over the cat

On a mono with open helm a tablet is noGo as primary, very good backup but if **** hits the fan the screen is not up to the task. Well some Touchscreen chartplotter too, where my military spec casing comes back into place.

[sailingunity]

Originally Posted by CaptainRivet

Good news if it’s android based, means it will be hacked soon and limitations lifted.

I'll buy a case of beer for the first person to install OpenCPN on it.

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

I'll buy a case of beer for the first person to install OpenCPN on it.

I add a 2nd case and buy a Zeus S instead of Raymarine axiom+, not that I want opencpn on it as that will be obsolete then.
A hacked android Zeus gives me then the freedom opencpn offers but I don‘t have to deal with a lot of its rough edges.
I was thinking of Venus OS on it and I can use it like a tablet then, possibilities are endless then.

[wrwakefield]

Here is the initial Zeus S review on Panbo: (6-Apr-2023)

https://panbo.com/mibs-2023-bg-zeus-s/

Cheers, Bill

[silvercreek]

Nice. This could be useful to replace my 3S in the saloon and gain a bit more screen real estate in the process. Thanks for posting.