Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Best in Award-Winning 2024 Marine Electronics
Each autumn, the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) hosts its annual conference and trade show, an industry-only event that showcases the latest marine electronics products. The week-long conference also features a robust schedule of educational and technical training sessions, designed to educate both new and experienced marine technicians.
The highlight of the week is the annual Product of Excellence Awards ceremony, which has recognized outstanding products since 1971. Manufacturers enter their products to be considered for the ballot, which is then voted on by over 1,000 NMEA members, including dealers, installers, and industry professionals. This is much more than a popularity contest - NMEA members cast their votes based on firsthand experience selling, installing, and receiving customer feedback on the nominated products. The award categories evolve over time, and there are currently 19 categories eligible for recognition.
The NMEA Technology Award and Best New Product Award are presented to winners selected by a panel of independent judges. The judges evaluate products based on criteria such as innovation, benefit to boaters, practicality, and value. To be considered for the Best New Product Award, a product must have been introduced to the market at the NMEA Conference & Expo.
As a boat owner, captain, or crew member, industry awards can hold significant meaning. Purchasing or operating an award-winning product can reinforce your belief that it is an excellent choice for your needs. These acclaimed products are often well-known to marine electronics technicians, which can simplify installation, training, and service. Manufacturers are typically proud of their award-winning products and tend to be well-versed in their sales and support, ensuring a positive customer experience. Additionally, the use of the same award-winning products across the sportfish boat community can facilitate the sharing of operational knowledge, tricks, and tips among captains.
This year the following products won awards at the September 2024 NEMA Conference & Expo in Providence, RI.
Product of Excellence Awards
Marine VHF
Icom M510 EVO
Satellite TV Antenna
KVH TracVision UHD7
Radar
Furuno DRS4DNXT
Marine Monitor
Seatronx VSRT-17
Fishfinder
Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam Sonar
Satellite Comm. Antenna
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Marine Camera
Teledyne FLIR M364C
Multi-Function Display (MFD)
Garmin GPSMAP 9227
AIS
Garmin Vesper Cortex M1
Autopilot
Garmin Reactor 40 with SmartPump
NMEA 2000 Sensor
Furuno SCX20 Satellite Compass
Remote Monitoring
GOST GNT-Evolution-IDP
Marine App
Garmin Active Captain
Marine PC Software
Nobeltec TimeZero Professional
Marine Safety Device
ACR ResQLink PLB-450
Wi-Fi/Cellular Device
Wave WiFi Tidal Wave
Multimedia Entertainment
Fusion Apollo MS-RA770
Commercial Product
Furuno FAR2228BB IMO Radar
Marine Specialty
Furuno CSH8LMK2 Omni Sonar
NMEA Technology Award judged best among 13 submitted products was the Maretron MConnect® Web Server WSV100. The product is a display interface product that allows users to display and control NMEA 2000 data on custom user-built graphic pages hosted to web browsers and MFD displays. Users can build controls, indicators, gauges, and other components using their own graphics.
Best New Product Award
Winning the award in a field of 10 submissions was Barnacle Systems’ BRNKL Blue-Fish On! Edition. The product is an innovative vessel monitoring system that seamlessly combines comprehensive monitoring, remote control, security, and video recording into one subscription-free system. This allows users to monitor critical vessel systems, receive real-time alerts, and trigger video recordings with a single touch.
The Manufacturer of the Year Award recognizes companies for their support provided to dealers and installers. Garmin won in the large-company category, Actisense among medium-sized companies, and SI-TEX for smaller manufacturers.
While seasoned sportfish captains may already be familiar with many of the award-winning products on display, there are also some lesser-known products that are worth considering.
ICOM M510 EVO, while many are familiar with ICOM VHF radios, this newest version has taken the best of the previous models with the addition of built-in NMEA 2000™ connectivity, and a two-way hailer/PA function built into a sleek and compact footprint. Features include Class-D DSC, WLAN smart device control, integrated AIS-receive (AIS version only), and a display with a wide-viewing angle and night mode. Command and control from anywhere on-board with a smart device (smartphone) and the ICOM app, connected to the M510EVO built-in wireless network.
The Furuno dome radar DRS4DNXT, is a 24" Solid-State Doppler Radar with Target Analyzer and Fast Target Tracking. This would be a great small radar to complement a large open array radar. Having a second radar as a backup is a great idea and this doppler style dome is great at close range situational awareness, whereas a large open array is best for long range. The target analyzer helps the operator to determine if other vessels are moving toward your boat, moving away or stationary.
Seatronx VSRT-17, this 17” marine display is an evolution of previous Seatronx monitors. Seatronx is an ISO Certified U.S. manufacturer and distributor of rugged electronics catering specifically to the Military, Maritime and Industrial markets. The V-Series offers an amazing 9 inputs that eliminate the need for additional expensive switching systems. Now you can view cameras, vessel monitoring, navigation, communication computers and the newest black box systems from Garmin and Furuno, from each touch screen display.
Furuno's unrivaled DFF3D Multibeam Sonar continues its reign in the Fish Finder category, securing its seventh consecutive Product of Excellence award. The DFF3D delivers unparalleled fish-finding capabilities, offering a 3D, 120-degree view of fish and underwater structures from port to starboard. With its PBG (Personal Bathymetric Generator), users can create detailed bathymetric charts on the go. Features like Follow-it, which allows anglers to generate constant-depth routes along the ridges mapped by the DFF3D and send them to the Autopilot, are continuously integrated into NavNet TZtouch3 and TZtouchXL software, enabling anglers to elevate their fishing techniques in ways unmatched by other fish finders.
The Furuno SCX20 Satellite Compass has won awards since its introduction a few years ago. This is a fantastic NMEA200 sensor that is compatible with most any sportfish equipment. The SCX20 provides very precise heading information from a small form factor not affected by magnetic fields on the vessel, great for autopilots. While satellite compasses are not new, the SCX20 is one of the most affordable and compact offerings, with the best accuracy. The SCX20 also provides position, pitch, roll, and heave information to devices on the NMEA2000 network. Many newer sounders can interpret heave information and compensate for the bottom readings.
The GOST® GNT-Evolution IDP may sound familiar to readers, especially if you have a Viking sportfish, as GOST® is usually factory installed. Marine Insurance companies require some form of vessel tracking and many crew are interested in remote monitoring. While GOST® has many products, they now offer a GNT-Evolution IDP Hardwired Security Package which is the newest version of GOST's award-winning, globally capable wireless security, monitoring and satellite tracking system designed with new hardwired inputs to simplify installation where direct wire runs are preferred. The security system provides boaters with a rugged, marine-grade satellite relay unit with real-time global tracking and security alerts at an affordable and accessible price point.
The Wave WiFi Tidal Wave is a Wi-Fi/Cellular device specifically designed for maritime use. It has numerous capabilities for providing internet data onboard a boat. The Tidal Wave device can connect to the cellular data network, Wi-Fi and now Starlink, to provide Wi-Fi data on-board the vessel. It allows the administrative user to connect to the Tidal Wave device and select the source of internet connectivity, based on performance or cost. The Tidal Wave includes 5 antennas, two indoor, two outdoor and one cellular data antenna.
Nobeltec TimeZero Professional is a product intended for knowledgeable users who may prefer to keep their expertise private. TZ Professional software has been designed to meet the navigation needs and requirements of all professional seafarers. With features that are truly innovative, TIMEZERO software has two main objectives: Supreme control and performance. Primarily designed for Commercial Fishing, workboats, racing and sportfishing, TimeZero Professional software is a Microsoft® Windows® based product that connects to shipboard data to provide navigation and fishing software for professional navigation. There are numerous TIMEZERO Modules that can be added to compliment the basic system such as Targets (AIS/ARPA), Routing, Radar, Sounder, PBG, WASSP, DFF3D, Trawl Positioning, Bottom Hardnes, S57 / S63, VDR. Time Zero history goes back 35 years, to the founding of MaxSea and adding Nobeltec and MapMedia along the way. These TimeZero charts are now standard on the newest TZT Furuno chartplotters.
When captains talk about radar, it is no surprise that Furuno is a popular choice and here winning an award for the commercial product in the form of the FAR2228BB IMO Radar. This is a 25kW, X-Band, 96 NM standalone commercial radar. This series is characterized by its state-of-the-art antenna design and innovative signal processing techniques. The latest and finest technologies and intuitive design will increase situational awareness and enable safer than ever navigation. The operator can quickly adjust the radar image with a single button press. When the ACE function is activated, the system automatically adjusts clutter reduction filters and gain control according to the sea and weather conditions. With Fast Target Tracking™, the FAR2228BB provides accurate tracking information; speed and course vectors are displayed in mere seconds allowing operators to act and avoid incidents at an early stage. When it comes to sportfishing, Furuno commercial radars are a popular choice for larger sportfish boats that often travel to distant locations.
The Maretron MConnect® Web Server WSV100 is a unique product, many may be familiar with the Maretron NMEA2000 product offerings and this new hardware and software helps bring it all together. Designed for vessels of all sizes, the new MConnect® Web Server provides real time data on web pages that can be displayed on multiple phones, tablets, PCs or MACs—simultaneously. Following the design paradigm of Maretron’s award-winning N2KView® Vessel Monitoring and Control Software, MConnect’s engaging and informative graphic controls make it easy to display a large amount of critical data. MConnect® can also be displayed on marine Multifunction Displays (MFDs) that support remote HTML servers such as Garmin OneHelmTM and Raymarine LightHouse 3 as well as full integration with digital switching systems such as Octoplex® and MPower®.
The best new product in 2024 is from a Canadian company, Barnacle Systems’ BRNKL Blue-Fish On! Edition. BRNKL Blue enables boaters to seamlessly monitor vessel systems, trigger automated video recording, and share those moments on social media. With the Fish On! feature you can capture every catch on video, mark the GPS position when you hook the fish and track the entire fight. Replay the entire fight using the BRNKL Blue’s replay engine. There are many remote vessel monitoring systems to choose from, though when it comes to sportfishing, Barnacle Systems have crafted a package of interest for sportfishing boats along with traditional vessel monitoring.
While the Furuno CSH8lMK2 Omni sonar won an award in the marine specialty category, there are many other omni style sonars, such as the Simrad by Kongsberg SY50 Omni sonar, the MAQ omni sonar, Koden Searchlight Sonars and even the smallest searchlight sonar by Hondex. MAQ has recently introduced a small, less expensive Omni sonar, designed to fit into a 6” sonar tube, called the MiniMAQ 90KHz. This is a great upgrade from an existing 6” searchlight and perfect for a smaller boat with limited space for a larger omni sonar.
A month after the NMEA awards at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Furuno introduced a new Omni sonar, The CSH10 Omni Sonar. For over a year, boat owners and crew had heard rumors about the development of a new omni sonar. Those rumors proved well-founded, as the highly anticipated, improved omni sonar, CSH10 has been released.
The new CSH10 is a commercial-duty product, designed to meet the demanding needs of tournament sportfishing boats. The form factor of the CSH10 is comparable to the existing CSH8LMK2, which remains a current Furuno product for now.
The latest sonar model features enhanced sensitivity, an extended effective range, 3-axis stabilization, and comprehensive electronic upgrades. The main control (keypad) is slightly smaller and more water resistant. The CSH10 has a handheld optional wireless remote.
In collaboration with the new CSH10, Furuno is soon releasing software for its newest TZtouchXL chartplotter/multifunction display series. The software will enable touch screen control of the CSH10 sonar and integrate it with the chartplotter system, allowing overlays, event marking, autopilot control, and more. This feature will be especially useful for captains who need to control the Omni sonar from the tower, eliminating the need for an additional control unit, switch box, and wiring.
The transceiver circuitry remains housed in a large enclosure, unlike some other sonar systems that integrate it directly into the transducer. However, the transducer itself has been updated - it is now more sensitive and encased in an oil bath, with a new protective outer "shield" covering the urethane face.
The new CSH10 has smaller dimensions than the CSH8LMK2, which allows it to be installed in boats with limited vertical clearance in mechanical spaces. This will help those trying to squeeze an omni into a center console boat and the new 24 V DC power makes wiring even easier. If you have an existing 8-inch sonar, the new CSH10 will fit right in. Deliveries of this new system have begun in limited numbers just in time for the winter tournaments.
Consider incorporating these award-winning products into your current boat or adding them to the list of options for your next project.§
