6 8YACHTINGAUGUST2 0 1 9¶ Ceccanti sees the system’s ability to deliv-
er panoramic views around the yacht as its
biggest innovation, however, he also points
to the system’s heads-up displays (HUD)
as useful tools for negotiating the marine
environment. Unlike augmented reality,
which overlays data onto video imagery,
HUDs present data on transparent screens.
¶ “The HUD allows users to overlap the
main navigational information such as
course, waypoint, AIS and radar targets
with the actual view while sailing,” he says.
¶ Just like the systems aboard modern,
fl y-by-wire jetliners, the Panorama VBS
allows an operator to control all systems
and instrumentation via a few screen taps,
while other tasks happen automatically.
¶ “The Panorama VBS has its own automa-
tion, monitoring and power-management
systems, which are perfectly integrated
with the system’s navigation and steeringfunctions,” Ceccanti says. Third-party
control systems also can be integrated.
¶ Factor in the Panorama VBS’s ability to
plan routes and view cartography that’s
overlaid with AIS and radar data, as well
as the system’s stunning graphics and
intuitive user interface, and it’s easy to
understand why Team Italia continues to
be seen as a leader in the integration of sys-
tems. ¶ Of course, as with any impressive
technology, it’s important to remember
that what’s at the helm is only a tool of
safe navigation. It’s critical that operators
maintain their comfort and familiarity
piloting their vessels the old-fashioned
way, perchance calamity strikes. ¶ But for
anyone who is considering a new build
or refi t with a deep dive into onboard
integration and helm-side situational
awareness, Team Italia’s Panorama VBS
could be worth serious consideration.LEARNING CURVES
While the Panorama VBS is
intuitive and user-friendly,
Team Italia says captains need
four to eight hours of training.
And, the company’s technical
director says, “The Team
Italia technical staff is always
available for further training or
to help facilitate customer-re-quested customization options.”
I
INSIGHTS> ELECTRONICS> Team Italia i-Bridge Panorama VBSLIGHT BOXES
Lumishore’s EOS STV 2204-i ($450) is
a glass-bridge touchscreen display with a
rotary dial that gives owners command over
lighting systems. Users have a palette wheel
for color selection and slider bars for light
intensity. A smart wireless device lets users
control the system remotely, including ef-
fects such as strobes, sweeps, cycles, and the
“sound-to-light” feature for matching music
and visuals. Lumishore, lumishore.comCLOUD READERS
Furuno’s BBWX4 fourth-generation SiriusXM
Marine Weather Receiver ($450) delivers
forecasts for U.S. and Canadian waters di-
rectly onto networked Furuno NavNet TZ-
touch and TZtouch2 multifunction displays.
Services include fi ve-day forecasts, high-
resolution radar imagery, storm tracking and
buoy reports, lightning-strike information
and wave heights. Water-temperature data is
available too. Furuno USA, furunousa.comCAVALRY CALLERS
I n c a s e of emer g enc y, AC R ’s R e s QL i n k 4 0 0
($30 0) a nd ResQL i n k View ($350) persona l
locator beacons can contact the internation-
al Cospas-Sarsat program using 406 MHz
satellite signals. The models have similar
features, but the ResQLink View has a screen
that keeps users apprised of the beacon’s
activities, including GPS coordinates, trans-
missions, remaining battery levels and more.
ACR Electronics, acrartex.comINSIGHTS> NEWELECTRONICS> by David Schmidtcou
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