Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Multifunction Displays:
A Look Ahead
During the fishing season, this column covers a wide range of marine electronics topics. Have you wondered if those individual systems will converge into a single interface? Similar to today’s modern automobiles, where once there were separate controls for each system and now there is a “command“ center of sorts with one large screen that monitors and operates many or all of the cars systems. This command center is making its way onto pleasure boats by way of the MFD (multifunction display)
Up until the year 2000, most marine electronics were stand-alone systems, based on their function: a stand-alone fish finder, a stand-alone radar, a stand-alone GPS receiver – with or without a chart! Over the years, the integration of hardware has allowed individual systems to be combined and shared with one or more multifunction displays. No longer are you required to have a dedicated screen. System flexibility allows navigational and fishing resources to be available on numerous displays, including those that are wireless.
It seems that the manufacturers are once again moving forward with additional integration to provide as much information as possible on the helm displays. Navico – the parent company of Simrad, Lowrance, B&G and C-MAP, have named their 2019 new technology the ”Information Display” or ID. The ID systems will allow monitoring and control of most any boat function through this display, or multiple displays, while providing the traditional functions of radar, sonar, chartplotter or whatever the priority is at that time.
For those who have not experienced a ride in a Tesla automobile, it is like a tablet on wheels. The “dashboard” on the Model S is a 17-inch touch screen display located in the center of the dash where the radio would have been years ago. This screen can provide almost all of the information a driver or passenger would need while riding in the car and can also provide password protected technical information for the maintenance of the vehicle.
The yachting world has had similar systems for years. Westport Yachts designed their own vessel information and control system (V.I.C) that allows a captain to see and interface with many of the ships systems from one central computer station. Carling Technologies developed the OctoPlex system, an automation system for the control and monitoring of most shipboard systems, very popular in Viking and custom sport fish boats. Boning, a German company specializing in ship automation, allows captains and crew to monitor the operation of a large vessel from a centralized location.
It’s not surprising that this type of technology and command and control center philosophy is working its way into the pleasure boating world. How can this technology be used effectively on a sport fish or even a center console? Years ago, the cost and implementation world have been prohibitive for a smaller boat. The ability to use a newer MFD display and enable it to act like a high-end automation display can give a boat owner the opportunity to add on to an existing system and get similar functionality that yachts and ships have at a cost proportionate to the vessels size.
Proprietary systems work well but typically cannot integrate with each other, often resulting in many individual complex systems onboard. The electronics manufacturers have listened to the needs of pleasure boaters and are aware that boat owners want integration for all their systems and recent advances in MFD designs and software have made this very obtainable without the expense of a proprietary system. In the last year or so, this capability has suddenly expanded with the introduction and development HTML 5 along with the proven NMEA2000 data standard.
While many readers may be familiar with NEMA2000, HTML 5 is just getting started. Its current revision is only a few years old.
HTML 5 is the computer language used to structure and present content on the World Wide Web. The “5” in HTML 5 refers to the 5th version of HTML and is the default standard since its major update in 2014. How does this “web browser language“ relate to a boats MFD display?
Just like on the internet (world wide web), it doesn’t matter much which web browser you use (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, IE) or what type of device your use (tablet, smartphone, Windows or Mac), the information you see and the format in which it is presented is the same or very similar in appearance and function across all devices and platforms. This same standard way of presenting data has recently worked its way into the marine MFD. All of the major MFD manufacturers, currently or soon, will offer a model with HTML 5 compatibility. This allows the marine industry to develop products with an HTML 5 interface that can connect to the screen of a compatible MFD.
The major MDF manufacturers, Furuno, Garmin with their OneHelm, Raymarine Lighthouse Apps, and Simrad ID, already have (or will soon have ) HTML 5 capability in their newest offerings. This will allow a boater to purchase a MFD from one company and vessel components from another company and integrate the two together using a pre-engineered solution. If this sounds like apps on your phone, you are correct; Raymarine even offers some non-marine apps for use on their MFD’s!
If you are wondering why it took so long for marine electronics industry to catch up to the functionality of our smartphones, you may not realize that the Smartphone is now inside our MFD. The Furuno TZT2, Raymarine newest MFD’s and Si-Tex NavStar all run a variation of the Android operating system as their internal operating system, making the adaptation of HTML 5 much easier. For those who don’t know, Android is a major mobile operating system that competes with the Apple system.
Some of the integrated products currently offering HTML 5 compatibility include, Seakeeper, Lumishore, Shadow-Caster, CZONE and Maretron. Many other manufactures are building HTML 5 integration into their newest products to allow control and monitoring from compatible MFD displays.
Wrapping up 2018
Every fall, the National Marine Electronics Association polls its members to secretly vote for their favorite marine electronics as nominated by the manufacturer. This year, ten manufacturers took home awards across 17 categories in the annual National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Product of Excellence Awards. These results are significant since they are voted on by industry professionals who design systems that incorporate this hardware for the end user. If it is a problematic product or doesn’t work as designed, it most likely won’t receive enough votes to win an award. History has demonstrated that the products on this list perform as expected and meet customer’s needs.
Here is the list of the 2018 NMEA Product of Excellence Award winners:
Autopilot: Garmin GHP Reactor
Multi-function display: Garmin GPSMAP 8624
Radar: Furuno DRS4DNXT
Fishfinder: Furuno DFF3D
Marine VHF radio: Icom M605
Satellite communications antenna: KVH TracPhone V7-HTS
Safety device: McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB
Commercial Radar: Furuno FAR2127 IMO radar
Satellite TV antenna: KVH TracVision TV3 with HUB A+
AIS: Furuno FA170 Class A NMEA 2000 sensor: Furuno SC33
Marine app-aids to navigation: Nobeltec TZ iBoat
Marine PC software: Nobeltec TZ Professional
Marine camera: FLIR M625CS
Multimedia entertainment: Fusion Apollo RA770
Remote vessel monitoring system: GOST Apparition SM GPS XVR
Marine app-utility (tie): Airmar SensorCheck TDT1000 and Garmin Active Captain
Manufacturer of the Year for support of products in the field: Garmin
2018 NMEA Technology Award: Garmin's Panoptix live sonar
Here’s a quick peak at the details for some of the winners:
Autopilot
Garmin GHP Reactor 40 autopilot
This autopilot uses a solid-state 9-axis Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) that mounts in any orientation with minimal heading error, course deviation, rudder movement and power consumption, all providing a more comfortable ride. With minimal commissioning and calibration and an optional brushless SmartPump, the autopilot fits most hydraulically steered boating applications and Garmin’s Patented Shadow Drive™ technology keeps you in control, even when autopilot is engaged.
Multi-function Display Garmin GPSMAP 8624
These are modern MFD Touchscreen Chartplotters with optional Sonar Combo with Full HD In-plane Switching (IPS) Display, full HD IPS touchscreen display preloaded with both BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal and LakeVü HD maps featuring Navionics data and Auto Guidance¹ technology. Fully network capable with NMEA 2000 connectivity and the Garmin Marine Network. Includes built-in support for the full suite of Garmin sonar capabilities. Includes ANT technology and Wi-Fi networking and SmartMode station controls for quick, one-touch access to the information you need.
Radar
Furuno DRS4DNXT
The DRS4D-NXT is a Solid-State Radar with pulse compression and Doppler frequency shift sensing technology that is built into a compact 24-inch Radome. This “NXT” generation radar is designed for use with both NavNet TZtouch and TZtouch2 MFDs. The DRS4D-NXT is packed with new features, but perhaps the most innovative and revolutionary is called “Target Analyzer”, facilitated by Furuno’s Doppler technology. The Doppler “Target Analyzer” will automatically change the color of targets approaching your boat to clearly show any hazards. Green echoes are stationary targets, land or approaching targets moving at a velocity of less than 3 knots. Echoes dynamically turn red when targets are approaching your vessel at a speed of 3 knots or faster. It works the same when you are following another vessel. If the target is getting closer at a speed of 3 knots or more, the echo will be depicted in red on the screen. Incredibly, “Target Analyzer” works independently of one’s own ship speed.
Fishfinder
Furuno DFF3D
Revolutionary 3D multi-beam sonar for deep and wide water columns. Furuno’s DFF3D takes 3D fishfinding to new depths. We’re talking depths of over 980 feet, with Side Scanning over 650 feet. The system allows you to see schools of fish and the underwater landscape at great depths in amazing detail. The DFF3D turns your NavNet TZtouch or TZtouch2 MFD into a multi-beam sonar that can see 120-degrees port to starboard, allowing you to see the depth and direction that fish schools are moving, while displaying the seabed condition in real time.
Marine VHF Radio
Icom M605
The M605 is not just a VHF radio, it’s a system that allows the user choices on how to set up the radio with up to three display stations. Boaters can now add an exclusive complete display as another station on the vessel along with two COMMANDMICS. Customers will appreciate the radios large bright display that includes night mode to view easily in the dark. The full featured M605 also gives customers the option of the radio with an integrated AIS receiver.
Satellite Communications Antenna
KVH TracPhone V7-HTS
The KVH TracPhone V7-HTS System delivers maritime satellite broadband at triple the speed. The 60 cm, Ku-band satellite antenna system enables leisure boaters and commercial mariners to stream HD content and conduct video calls at sea while simultaneously supporting a free, unlimited use data channel.
Safety Device
McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB
The McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS are the world’s first EPIRB to include 406MHz, 121.5MHz, AIS and GNSS (better known as GPS) to accelerate search and rescue. The unique power of these new, award winning beacons is in the flexibility and additional tracking capabilities long demanded by maritime customers. This will further reduce rescue times by combining the global location power of 406MHz with the localized rescue capacities of AIS, first introduced to the world in McMurdo’s AIS MOB range.
Satellite TV Antenna
KVH TracVision TV3
With its single-cable design, compact 14.5-inch antenna and device-friendly user interface, the TracVision TV3 is easy to install, set-up and use. The DVB-S2 compatible TracVision TV3 is the perfect solution for single- or multiple-receiver installations. A great choice for powerboats frequenting cruising areas located within 100 nautical miles offshore, the TracVision TV3 supports DIRECTV, DISH Network, Bell TV, and circular and linear Ku-band regional services worldwide.
NMEA 2000 Sensor
Furuno SC33
The SC33 Satellite Compass provides highly accurate information for navigation equipment such as radar, plotter, autopilot, fishfinder and sonar. With its compact GNSS antenna and built-in processor, it can be used for a wide variety of applications on any type of vessel. This all-in-one system delivers incredibly accurate heading and roll & pitch information as well as heaving information, GPS position, SOG (Speed Over Ground), COG (Course Over Ground) and ROT (Rate Of Turn) data. Employing a two-antenna system with a 3-axis gyro and acceleration sensors, the SC33 enables high-speed response capability.
Marine App - aids to navigation
Nobeltec TZ iBoat
TZ iBoat, the latest innovative app for coastal boating features easy-to-use functionalities and the fastest and smoothest chart display ever, as well as 3D data and weather information. The smooth handling of the iPad and TZ iBoat gives you the freedom of movement.
Marine Camera
FLIR M625CS
The camera features a 640 x 512 resolution thermal camera, a 1.4 Lux daylight CCD camera with a 36x optical zoom and 360-degree Continuous Pan and +/-90-degree tilt capabilities for complete situational awareness 24/7. The M-Series integrate seamlessly with existing electronics including select multifunction displays from Furuno, Garmin, Raymarine and Simrad. M-Series cameras are also supplied with a joystick control unit, giving you full control of the camera. FLIR Next Generation M-Series thermal cameras feature active gyro-stabilization so the camera always delivers a steady image, even in rough seas.
Multimedia Entertainment Fusion Apollo RA770
The world’s first touchscreen marine stereo with Apple AirPlay and built-in Wi-Fi, the Apollo RA770 incorporates revolutionary technology and innovative design including Fusion’s Digital Signal Processing, PartyBus, over-the-air software updates, a one-piece glass display and more source options than ever before, including advanced SiriusXM features.
Remote Vessel Monitoring System
GOST Apparition SM GPS XVR
The GOST Apparition SM-GPS-XVR is the most powerful, customizable and user friendly GOST security system ever released and is the only system on the market offering the capability of security, monitoring, tracking and surveillance integrated together in one system. This integration allows the system to communicate over cellular or satellite networks. The GOST Apparition can be controlled via an App, key fob or the new simplified, user friendly touchscreen keypads, available in 5 or 7-inch displays.
Marine App
Garmin Active Captain
The free all-in-one ActiveCaptain mobile app allows you to manage your marine experience from nearly anywhere. It creates a simple, yet powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and your compatible Garmin chartplotter, charts, maps and the boating community.
2018 NMEA Technology Award
Garmin's Panoptix
LiveScope sonar
See highly detailed, easy-to-interpret live scanning sonar images of structure, bait and fish swimming below and around your boat in real time, even when your boat is stationary. Easily adjust the transducer to fit your fishing techniques; point forward to see around your boat, or point down to see directly below your boat. See incredibly sharp, real-time scanning sonar images up to 200-feet down and away. Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) stabilizes sonar view on your chart plotter screen, even in rough conditions. The simple plug-and-play Garmin Marine Network connector makes it easy to install and seamlessly integrate with your compatible Garmin chartplotter
Wow, an impressive list of products. My field experience re-assures me that this list is the cream of the crop of marine electronics. If you are looking to add on or replace your marine electronics, the products above are well worth a look.
Captain Steve Katz is the owner of Steve’s Marine Service and holds NMEA, AMEI and NMEA2000 certificates along with ABYC Master Technician certification and factory training from many manufacturers. To reach Steve, call (631) 264-1600.
