NMEA 2000 (¹) is a standard for electronic communication network specifically designed for pleasure boats, according to an industry standard published by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). It aims to meet many needs, arising from the considerable increase of electronic devices onboard, the spread of computers and MFDs (²) with control and navigation application more sophisticated. It also aims to interconnect equipment manufacturers and various brands, allowing boat builders and end users great freedom in their choice of navigational instruments. (Read more…)
Miniplex-2Wi, the new WiFi multiplexer for iPad and iPhone
Company ShipModul just presented on its website its new multiplexeur WiFi, the Miniplex-2Wi. This device comes in direct competition of’Brookhouse iMux, on which I wrote several posts on this blog, but penalized since early 2011 by delivery prohibitive for France.
The Miniples-2Wi only regards boats owners with NMEA 0183 and/or RAYMARINE SeaTalk instruments. For boats with NMEA 2000, network, refer to the excellent SeaSmart WiFi recently presented on this blog.
Search for charts information data with iNavX
Navionics vector charts contain a number of detailed information for each marina, and sometimes some moorings. These places are marked on charts by the symbol shown against.
These data are called in English "Navaids" when information concerning navigation, and "POIs" when dealing with practical and interesting information (Point Of Interest, the « s » is the plural). (Read more…)
Iridium AxcessPoint : GRIB weather files on iPhone and iPad in open sea
Announced on this blog in September (¹), the AxcessPoint box by Iridium company allow now request and receive GRIB weather files from iPad or iPhone offshore, into the wild, anywhere on the world.
Having implemented and tested this solution on a long journey, I can say that it is fully operational.
Seasmart WiFi connects the NMEA 2000 on your iPhone
The SeaSmart WiFi, presented by iPadNav.fr at Nautic Paris Boat Show last week, allows a WiFi connection to iPad , iPhone or any other computer via WiFi to a NMEA 2000.
Designed by Chetco Digital Instruments, Brookings, Oregon (USA), SeaSmart is a wireless transmitter NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 compatible consists of an USB/serial gateway, WiFi transmitter 802.11 b/g and an embedded CGI/AJAX web server. Compatible with web browsers on most smartphones, like iPhone, iPad or Android, SeaSmart.Net translates NMEA 2000 (PGNs) messages through an open protocol in HTML pages updated in real time and sent streaming to web server. The transfer is bi-directional. More, NMEA 0183 connector allows to interface instruments that use this protocol, as an AIS, their data being multiplexed and added to the flow of data powered by SeaSmart.net. (Read more…)
Navigation iPad : the integral solution
With Weather4D PRO and AxcessPoint, associated with a satellite phone Iridium, we now have a complete solution, reliable and low cost to receive, display and manage GRIB files in open seas with iPad.
iNavX and Navionics cartography also provide a complete navigation solution, supporting files transfers with Weather4D PRO : GRIB, routes, tracks, that allows simultaneous display in both applications.
These solutions, fully complementary and mutually consistent, were tested on more 2800 NM in the automn during a crossing from Canaria to the Caribbean, on board Catana 47 « Rafale », token place in ARC rally 2011. More, Olivier Bouyssou has improved « over water » his app Weather4D Pro, correcting, adding and optimizing daily development onboard. (Read more…)
Weather4D PRO 1.0 includes routes from iNavX
The new application Weather4D PRO for iOS (iPhone / iPad), developed by Olivier Bouyssou, was submited yesterday to Apple. It provides advanced features associated with GRIB files for demanding users. It comes in addition to Weather4D app which was promoted as one of the best apps in Apple AppStore for few weeks.
This Pro version, quickly available, will provide following features :
GRIB files management :
- Import, sharing (export ), copy-paste, folders filing, history, request from SailDocs by email
Routes management :
- Route import in KML format from iNavX or other apps, overlay route display with forecasts, boat progress with forecasts scrolling, route settings (heading, speed, date, etc. ...).
Iridium satellites tracking :
- Prediction of transition from Iridium satellites to optimize the connections to run queries GRIB files. Automatic updating of ephemeris and parameter setting coverage (rising, timing). (Read more…)
I am writing from Gibraltar
And yes ! After a wonderful stay on the island of Reunion, here I am embarked seamlessly on board "Rafale", a Catana 47 chartered for the ARC rally, a proprietary model specially equipped with carbon mast, Mylar mainsail gaff, spinnaker, and other I forget . Underway to the Canarias, via Gibraltar, to take the start in Las Palmas.
Under way to Gibraltar
Culture Mer
Route fond
Seableue