Panbo

The Marine Technology Hub

Panbo News and Reviews

5

Navigation / Charts / The future

MIBS 2024: Simrad NSX ULTRAWIDE

Shortly before the 2024 Miami International Boat Show, Simrad announced the NSX ULTRAWIDE multi-function device. My first reaction when I saw it was that Simrad was joining other ultrawide displays already in the market. But, when I stopped to think about it, I realized they are the first to introduce an ultrawide MFD to the marine marketplace. It seemed like such a logical next step that I thought someone must have done it already. So, I believe Simrad deserves credit for being the first and keeping pace with broader trends.

5

Mobile Apps / Monitoring & Tracking

MIBS 2024: Skyhawk Oversea, a fresh look at monitoring

Boat monitoring isn’t a new concept or product category. Heck, it’s been 17 years since Ben E. wrote up the first monitors on Panbo. So, you may be wondering what could be so new that my fellow judges and I awarded SkyHawk Oversea at MIBS this year. The short answer is a lot. The longer answer is Skyhawk took a fresh look at most of what we know about boat monitoring and came up with something very different. Will it work? Honestly, I don’t know. But I sure do love the paradigm-pushing approach they took.

11

Fishing & Sonar / Navigation / Charts

What I learned about Furuno’s new TZtouchXL MFD series at MIBS

I just returned from the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show (DBMIBS or MIBS as most of us know it) and while there spent time with Furuno USA learning all about their new TZtouchXL MFDs. Panbo will bring you more coverage of these new MFDs, but before the ink dries, I wanted to get a few notes out about the new units.

17

Wireless & Apps / Safety & SAR / Monitoring & Tracking

Sensar Marine Boat + Bilge Monitor: elegant monitoring simplified

In my mind, boat monitors fall into one of two categories: high-end systems that can do everything and simple systems focused on key systems. The former category typically includes all manner of sensors, network interfaces, and other options. Monitors in the latter category focus on monitoring critical indicators of a boat’s health. Depending on the size, complexity, and use of a boat, there are scenarios that fit both categories. Sensar Marine’s Boat and Bilge Monitor focuses on critical systems and may be the most refined example I’ve tested. Overall, I was pleased with how the monitor worked while seeing a few opportunities for even better performance.

NOAA's visual database of ENC "rescheming" progress shows that many large scale (small area) charts in New England are already available ~ Ben E 14

Editors' Blog / Charts / The future

David Burch wants to educate us about Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC)

I’m hard put to name anyone more knowledgeable and passionate about marine navigation than David Burch, long-time director of the Starpath School of Navigation in Seattle. These days, David is especially concerned about the Electronic Navigation Charts rapidly replacing the official paper and RNC charts in the USA and elsewhere. So he recently followed up his comprehensive Introduction to Electronic Chart Navigation with a booklet titled ENC Essentials, whose preface and first chapter are excerpted below…

171

LiFePO4 / Electrical & Engines

The ultimate LiFePO4 battery? Epoch’s 460ah powerhouse

My wife Laura reads most of my entries. She often tells me that I write about lithium batteries too much. Well, sorry but what follows will be another article about another lithium battery. If it helps, this is one hell of a battery and I think everyone considering new deep-cycle batteries for their boat should know about it and consider it. That’s doubly true in light of the significant step forward in battery safety I found when I opened the lid of my evaluation unit.

2

Editors' Blog / Cabin & deck gear / How-to

Panbo(at) gets more stable: Seakeeper 1 install in progress

It’s been over six years since I got involved with Ben Ellison and Panbo. When I first started working with Ben E. timelines were one of my biggest struggles. I figured, the longer I do this, the better I’ll get at pacing things out, knowing how long a review and article will take, and scheduling things. Well, six-plus years later, I’m no better. In fact, my current project, the installation and on-boat testing of a Seakeeper 1, might be the longest in the making of any I’ve done.

2

What's on board... / Electrical & Engines

Seakeeper Ride, on the water

It’s been almost six months since Seakeeper completed the installation of their new Ride attitude control system on Panbo(at). Since then, I’ve spent quite a few hours on the water using the new system and getting a feel for what it can and can’t do. So, please, read on and see what I’ve discovered about the system, how it’s improved the ride of Panbo(at) and how it might pair with a stabilizing gyro as well.

57

LiFePO4 / Editors' Blog / Electrical & Engines

Epoch’s new 460 amp-hour, external communicating battery arrives and testing begins

In a short time, Epoch has made a name for itself producing high-quality batteries at a remarkable value. I first tested their 100 amp-hour batteries and thought they were the best blend of value, features, and quality I have encountered. In fact, there were only two areas I thought Epoch could improve upon. First, higher density, and second, external communications. Epoch seems to have addressed both those issues and more.

3

Editors' Blog / Electrical & Engines / The future

METS 2023: EPT Technologies solid-state battery destruction demo

You can bet that when a company puts out word that they’re going to destroy a new battery technology on the show floor, both Panbo Bens will be there. Ben Ellison even had the honor of playing Vanna White for the demonstration. EPT Technologies, with permission from show management, pierced a solid-state battery cell with a screwdriver. Not once, but twice. Want to know what happened? Read on, but, spoiler alert, both Bens are fine.