Optea XLMulti, a boat projector?

Optea projector

Here’s a novel idea seen at METS: a marinized, 9–28v digital projector (front or back) meant to show multifunction nav data in the cockpit or—just swing it around—a big screen movie in the salon. The potential simplicity, not to mention lack of wires and weight, is intriguing, but I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering if any projector can overcome direct sunlight. (Plus, you know the kids are going to make wolf & bunny shadows on your plotter). My sense was that Optea has not yet put the XLMulti into full production, possibly awaiting investors or partners. Your move!

Optea cockpit



Ben Ellison

Ben Ellison

Panbo editor, publisher & chief bottlewasher from 4/2005 until 8/2018, and now pleased to have Ben Stein as a very able publisher, webmaster, and editing colleague. Please don't regard him as an "expert"; he's getting quite old and thinks that "fadiddling fumble-putz" is a more accurate description.

3 Responses

  1. Walter says:

    I don’t care about projecting nav data but can we tie it to GPS and project pictures of the Maine coast onto the fog banks? This would be much better than old fashioned radar and give a big boost to the day boat fleet.

  2. Optea says:

    Dear friends.
    XLMulti is as written in the article, a Multi Functional system. And it is only the imagination of the user that limits it’s use. Your kids will probably love using it for their Playstation..
    Direct sunlight is a problem for all types of displays. We can only tell you, that the unit you see in the images consumes only 3,5A (20W lamp). And the screensize seen, is of 24″. Please tell us if you find a screen with better brightness/consumption performance.
    Also remember that on a sunny day, it is possible to make the screen-size smaller, to increase the luminous flux (lux).
    Optea is constantly working in improving the lightsources for the unit. But also! The screen-materials for you to use onboard your yachts.
    Please contact us for further information.
    Many thanks, Esteban Arboix – Optea.

  3. robert says:

    This projector idea is great. I plan on installing some kind of interior projector for chart software and AV entertainment on my buildout.
    I had been looking at off-the-shelf home projectors, but it is nice to see a marinized version.

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