IBEX 2024: Maretron MConnect
It has been quite a few years in the making, but Maretron’s MConnect is out! MConnect is Maretron’s succesor to N2KView. With a modern user interface, delivery via HTML5, and attractive price point, MConnect...
Panbo News and Reviews
IBEX 2024: Egis’ XD Series NMEA 2000 remote battery switches
Egis Mobile Electric is a relatively new company with extensive marine industry experience and some creative ideas. Egis’ submissions to innovation awards over the last few years have highlighted their creativity. This year, they’re back with a new version of the their XD Series battery switches, but now with NMEA 2000 digital switching support.
IBEX 2024: Revatek Altion alternator regulators
IBEX 2024 was a show to remember for me. Starting with Hurricane Helene’s development and potential threat, it was unclear if the show would proceed. Fortunately, although there was some impact, the show was able to proceed. My show began Sunday morning, two days before the official open, with two days of judging the IBEX Innovation Awards. Every year, the awards afford me the opportunity to get an early jump on the new and exciting products displayed at the show. This year, the crop of entries was exceptionally strong. I’m going to write a series of entries covering the products that caught my eye. I. believe it’s a testament to the strength of this year’s entries that quite a few of the products I will highlight were not selected for innovation awards. First up in my list are Revateks’ Altion and Altion Max alternator regulators.
SFK 275EX, space efficient and feature packed LiFePO4 battery
At first glance, the SFK 275EX looks like many other 275-300 amp hour internal BMS lithium iron phosphate batteries. With Bluetooth communications, heating, long cycle life, and a good warranty it seems to compete well with other batteries. But, closer inspection reveals a battery with features above and beyond anything I’ve seen in similar form-factor and priced batteries. Not only that, it comes with a thorough and readable manual.
A new Panbo test boat, more space for more stuff
A lot has changed since early 2020 when I took delivery of my first, outboard powered, small test boat. Since then, the world experienced a global pandemic, Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers and surrounding areas, and we lost Have Another Day. Also, though less dramatic, I found my testing shifted towards the small boat and away from testing on a 57-footer. At the same time, after four years of installing equipment on her, Panbo(at) was beginning to look like the proverbial five pound bag stuffed with ten (or more) pounds of… stuff. So, I did the only logical thing and bought a bigger bag!
Pitufino wifi gateway and NMEA tool kit
Products developed by active cruisers grab my attention. In my experience, products created onboard solve needs and fix issues directly experienced by the creator. Pitufino is no exception. There is no shortage of NMEA 2000 to WiFi gateways in the marketplace. There are also quite a few NMEA 0183 gateways. But few of them are nearly as ambitious, flexible, or offer as many features as the Pitufino gateway.
Getting Technical: The lithium lowdown, a peek at the future of lithium batteries
As part of a well-engineered system, lithium batteries can replace generators and make life on a boat seamless with or without shore power. But they aren’t perfect. The battery industry continues to research improvements and alternative chemistries.
Dometic all electric steering, four years later and now with autopilot
It’s now been four years since I installed Dometic’s all electric steering system (AES) on Panbo(at). When I wrote my initial review of the system, I bragged that after sixty hours on the boat the system worked perfectly and without incident. Allow me to add a zero to my brag. After six hundred trouble free hours I’m back with an update on the system, a new auto pilot, and information on additional all electric systems for more boat types.
Starlink Mini is available, but with limited data options
We’ve been hearing about Starlink’s Mini terminal for a long time now. Recently, hints from regulatory filings, new documents on their website, preparation for the new terminal in the app, and even a Tweet from Elon Musk made it seem the introduction was imminent. This week, Starlink made links on the website live and started sending emails to some long time subscribers offering an opportunity to purchase the new terminal. Now we have the opportunity to see if the Mini answers some of boater’s gripes with the current hardware.
Calypso Instruments Ultrasonic NMEA 2000 wind meter, plug and play wind
Wind sensors serve multiple purposes on a boat. For a sailor, they provide critical information to best harness the wind. For a power boater, they provide insight into conditions and a potential preview of close quarters manuevering. Regardless of the application, a simple, reliable, accurate, and easy to use wind instrument is something many boaters value. Does the Calypos Ultrasonic NMEA 2000 Wind Sensor deliver? Let’s take a look.
