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HIGH TECH BREAKTHROUGHS SHINE AT THE SHOW
Sunday, February 3, 2008
HIGH TECH BREAKTHROUGHS SHINE AT THE SHOW
The boating and fishing scene has changed, transformed by electronic advances barely glimpsed just a few short years ago. With high tech capabilities such as satellite communication and 3-D viewing screens, communications, navigation and water column scanning has never been so fantastic and effective.
Nick Cocco, Marine Electronics Service, Bayville, NJ, described Garmin’s new line of big-screen multi-function displays (MFDs), designed for use in larger yachts and powerboats – the GPSMAP® 5X15 series and the GPSMAP 4X10 series.
“The GPSMAP 5X15 series has a whopping 15-inch diagonal XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) sunlight readable touchscreen display,” said Cocco. “The touchscreen makes navigating menus a snap because the ‘virtual buttons’ change depending on the function – and it also eliminates the need for ‘hard’ buttons, a valuable space saver.”
This startling devise is available in two models, the GPSMAP 5015 with an enhanced worldwide satellite imagery basemap; and the GPSMAP 5215, which comes pre-loaded with highly detailed U.S. coastal charts and Explorer Charts for the Bahamas.
Continuing with his description Cocco explained that the GPSMAP 4X10 features a 10.4-inch diagonal SVGA (800 x 600 pixel) sunlight readable display with a conventional alphanumeric keypad and a row of soft keys for easy data input.
“Within this family,” said Cocco, “Garmin offers the GPSMAP 4010, with an enhanced worldwide satellite imagery basemap to enhance the standard vector chart format; and the GPSMAP 4210, which comes pre-loaded with highly detailed U.S. coastal charts and Explorer Charts for the Bahamas.”
Even more exciting is that all of the new units are fully network compatible with the Garmin Marine Network, a system that combines GPS, radar, autopilot, XM WX Satellite Weather, sonar, and other sensors.
For even greater capabilities, boaters can load the new MFDs with BlueChart g2 Vision technology – conveniently available on a pre-programmed SD card. In addition to high-res satellite imagery, g2 Vision features true “mariner’s eye view” above water or a “fish eye” underwater perspective – both in three dimensions.
The g2 Vision data card also enables auto guidance technology on compatible units – searching all the chart attributes to suggest the best navigational course. For help in navigating tricky harbors and channels – or locating marinas and resorts – g2 Vision cards offer a growing database of aerial reference photos.
Cocco further described the Garmin GPSMAP mid-sized 4000 series chartplotter. “This chartplotter has crisp, video-quality resolution on a 10.4-inch diagonal SVGA display as well as a worldwide, satellite-enhanced basemap,” he said. “By connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, a boat owner can add sonar, radar and weather. And for even more enhanced features, one can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision card. What’s more, an owner can choose to view 3-D map information at ‘mariner's eye view’ above the waterline or ‘fish-eye view’ below the water.”
Even more exciting electronic equipment is available from Furuno which announced its NavNet 3D, an onboard navigation network. Brian Favre, Electronic Marine Concepts, Rio Grande, NJ, explained that the new NavNet 3D chart plotter utilizes the leading 3-D Mapmedia charting architecture to bring a full time 3-dimensional presentation, unlike conventional chart plotters that utilize 2-D charts that require special effects to appear 3-D.
“With the 3-D chart presentation, the NavNet 3D’s powerful graphic engine delivers Satellite PhotoFusion, total fusion of high-resolution satellite imagery and critical raster or vector chart data,” said Favre. “In this
presentation option, land areas (zero depth) are shown with completely opaque, high-resolution satellite photos.”
According to Favre, working in perfect harmony with its native 3-D chart environment, the NavNet 3D’s high-speed processor delivers TimeZero technology, which enables instant, real-seamless chart redraw and chart handling with no waiting. “The chart can be zoomed seamlessly and continuously in and out to whatever chart scale desired instead of limiting the chart scaling options of conventional chart plotters,” he explained. “The chart can be smoothly panned to allow observation, with greater intensity, of the area away from one’s boat such as the area ahead, destination and other points of navigational interest.”
Another striking feature is the use of Furuno Digital Filter fish finder, which can turn any NavNet display into a powerful, dual frequency digital fish finder. Favre explained that surface clutter, mainly caused by a craft’s propeller can be greatly suppressed by the digital filter, resulting in exceptional shallow water detection. This makes it easier to spot fish targets that are close to the surface.
“This digital filter also optimizes gain to obtain highly defined images of underwater conditions to show fish targets close to the seabed,” said Favre. “The digital filter also eliminates noise to deliver sharp and detailed echo presentation, achieving detection of fishing reefs and individual fish with absolute clarity.”
But that’s only a glimpse of the high tech tools awaiting boaters and fishermen who can now put electronic advances to work on the water.
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