Category: Wireless & Apps

All these AIS targets were being sent to Marine Traffic by one vessel's DataHub, with little effort or cost 24

Share your boat’s AIS info, easy with DataHub by PredictWind

Do you use an AIS tracking website or app to follow cruising friends, check that your own AIS is transmitting, hunt for Russian oligarchs, and/or simply to identify an interesting vessel from your seaside restaurant table? Indeed, some of the services like Marine Traffic and FleetMon are now rich with photos, added vessel info, and features like extended track histories. But perhaps you’re also aware that volunteer receiving stations provide most of the data, and a lot more stations are needed to cover even just the planet’s coastal areas. So I’m pleased to report…

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Garmin quatix 7 smartwatch fuels the active boater lifestyle

Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s largest and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, today announced the quatix 7 Series of premium smartwatches, purpose-built for life on the water and packed with wearable tech for everyday fitness, wellness and convenience. Building on the excellence of its award-winning predecessor, the quatix 7 Series offers several new boating features designed to strengthen onboard integration, such as multifunction display (MFD) control, anchor drag alerts and more…

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Raymarine Unveils Remote Monitoring and Control Solution for Boats

Today Raymarine unveiled its YachtSense Ecosystem, an onboard and remote monitoring solution that gives boaters effortless control of their Raymarine equipment and vessel systems from their mobile device. The YachtSense Ecosystem begins with the new Raymarine mobile app, a digital companion for Raymarine owners that provides simple onboard and off-boat integration capabilities. Enabling the YachtSense Ecosystem is the new YachtSense Link marine mobile router. YachtSense Link is an innovative device designed to keep boaters connected through 4G/LTE broadband, local Wi-Fi networks, and seamless integration with Raymarine devices…

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Next Generation of Boating Electronics Unveiled with the New Simrad NSX

Simrad Yachting’s newest multifunction display (MFD) – Simrad NSX – was publicly unveiled this week during a global livestream event, offering the latest evolution in chartplotters and fishfinders for powerboaters as a new mid-range product in the Simrad line. The Simrad NSX is available in 7”, 9” and 12” display sizes and is based on a new Operating System built from the ground up to redefine boating experiences…

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Siren 3 Pro, boat monitoring evolved

Since the introduction of their first boat monitor nearly a decade ago, Siren Marine has been a leader and innovator in boat monitoring. The Siren 3 family of monitoring products encompasses their decade of experience and promises a comprehensive boat monitoring system. With wired, wireless, and NMEA 2000 sensors the system has the ability to monitor nearly every aspect of your boat, and it can even control your boat remotely. But, how does it all work together? I’ve been testing the Siren 3 Pro aboard Have Another Day and can share some results.

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Balmar MC-618 regulator with SmartLink integration, first look

Last spring Balmar rather quietly introduced the new MC-618 regulator, but I think it’s a pretty big deal and have been pleased to see how well it integrates with their SG200 battery monitoring system. While the scene above is only a bench test, I expect the 618 to work fine on Gizmo because it’s essentially an update of the venerable MC-614 technology that’s been managing the boat’s main alternator since 2011. But configuring, fine tuning, or troubleshooting the new regulator will be a whole lot easier, plus I’ll be able to see how the charging system is performing in real time…

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AMEC B600W Class B SOTDMA AIS, data multiplexing included

Class B AIS transceivers only became legal in the USA about 13 years ago, but they’ve certainly become valued equipment on many mid-size and larger recreational vessels. The Class B regulations have also improved — when the higher-power, faster-talking SOTDMA transmission protocol became a choice — and many manufacturers added useful features beyond what’s required by the AIS regulations. The AMEC WideLink B600W that I recently installed on Gizmo Junior pretty well illustrates the state of Class B these days, and also includes a rare data multiplexing ability that can improve PC or tablet navigation…

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New Simrad App Launches Loaded with Navigation Features & Support for Simrad Displays

The latest Simrad app debuted this week for the marine electronics leader celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The updated app includes a premium offering complete with new mapping features, advanced functionality and mirroring and control of Simrad multi-functional displays from your smartphone or tablet. It is available on both the Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android…

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Glomex Resets the Bar With Two New Internet Antennas

Two new 4G/Wi-Fi integrated Internet antennas have reset the bar for near-shore web access. Available exclusively from GA Communications, the Glomex weBBoat 4G Plus EVO and 4G Pro EVO deliver secure and reliable residential-quality connectivity, plus all the benefits the innovative EVO series offers.Two new 4G/Wi-Fi integrated Internet antennas have reset the bar for near-shore web access. Available exclusively from GA Communications, the Glomex weBBoat 4G Plus EVO and 4G Pro EVO deliver secure and reliable residential-quality connectivity, plus all the benefits the innovative EVO series offers…

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Icom M510, marine VHF meets smartphone

The headline feature of Icom’s new IC-M510 fixed marine VHF radio has to be its ability to use a smartphone as a wireless mic. It’s never been done before, and it could be quite useful; picture a free extra VHF mic that’s already in your pocket or charging next to your berth. There’s more to like about the new radio design — plus another Icom innovation, possibly controversial — but let’s look at more details about the smartphone support…