Garmin’s recently-launched GHP
Reactor Autopilot Series with
9-axis AHRS, developed originally
for Garmin’s aviation autopilot,
is designed to mount nearly
anywhere and in any orientation,
promising ease of use and safety
while minimising set-up and
commissioning time.
Garmin’s large-format marine
instruments – GNX 120 and 130 –
display more than 50 marine and
boat parameters for wind, sea
and vessel conditions, with 70mm
digits that are the largest in class.
The instruments allow sharing
of sailing data between Garmin
devices and are controlled from
a compatible GNX keypad.Garmin’s Panoptix All-Seeing
Sonar is a multi-beam transducer
that uses phased-array scanning
sonar technology, designed for
near-shore or freshwater fi shing.
The technology gives mariners
the ability to see all around a
vessel in real time, even while
the boat is stationary.The GHP Reactor Autopilot
Series starting price is
£1,374.99; the GNX 120’s
starting price is £749.99;
and the GNX 130’s starting
price is £1,249.99, as is the
Panoptix All-Seeing Sonar’s
starting price.
■ http://www.garmin.comNew Gear
Laura Hodgetts reports on the latest marine products
Digital Yacht Sonar Server
Sonar Server is Digital Yacht’s low-cost wireless gateway from your boat’s
NMEA depth instrument or fi shfi nder to a smartphone or tablet running the
Navionics charting app. The app now features the ability to redraw bathymetry
based on live data streamed from your boat’s system.
With Sonar Server installed, every trip you make will see traditional charts
redrawn in real-time to reveal hidden depth contours. When you return ashore,
and your smartphone or tablet has an internet connection, data is anonymously
uploaded to the Navionics server for reprocessing. An algorithm compares and
validates data and allows a new ‘SonarChart’ to be created, which is then
available for all to download next time they update charts in their apps. This
process typically takes a couple of weeks.
Sonar Server costs £99.95.
■ http://www.sonarserver.comIcom IC-M25 Marine VHF
Icom’s new marine VHF radio fl oats and
fl ashes when dropped into the water. It
weighs just 220g, and a USB connector
enables charging from a variety of
electronic devices. Available in metallic
grey or marine blue, the IC-M25 has a
screen which is 30% larger than its
predecessor to enable you to clearly see
the channel number and status icons.
The IC-M25 allows up to 11 hours of
operating time. With its BC-217 charger,
the radio can be charged in three hours,
and 550mW of audio output is promised
to make the radio easy to hear even in
stormy conditions. You can also change
background noise levels to make the
incoming message clearer. An optional
HM-213 waterproof speaker microphone
is available. The IC-M25 costs £149.99.
■ http://www.icomuk.co.ukAntennaPRO Short Active
Three-Frequency NAVTEX
Receiving Antenna
Specially designed for Navigational Telex (NAVTEX)
receivers, an automated system used to transmit
navigational alerts, weather warnings and urgent safety
and rescue information, Procom’s new NTA 3E-SHT Short
Active three-frequency antenna receives on the three
NAVTEX frequencies 490kHz, 518kHz and 4209.5kHz.
Band-pass fi lter-based tuning circuitry optimises the
antenna for the NAVTEX frequencies and protects from
possible interference. The antenna is 530mm in height and
weighs approximately 350g. The RF ground is internally
AC-coupled to the mounting bracket to prevent electrolytic
corrosion. The antenna, priced at £195, is promised to be
simple to mount using the 1in revolving nut system: a
variety of accessory mounting brackets and a junction kit
for easy connection to the receiver and DC power supply
are available, but not included. ■ http://www.procomuk.co.ukGarmin’s latest offerings
■ Navionics’ SonarChart Live functionality has also been added to the Raymarine
Dragonfl y 4 and 5 PRO and Wi-Fish systems. Raymarine customers can connect
these devices with the Navionics Boating app using Wi-Fi to create and view
a personal HD bathymetry map in real time while navigating. The new chart
appears as an additional layer over an existing map, while the details are saved
and stored on the mobile device for continued private use, and can be edited
and refi ned over time. Available on Apple iOS devices and Android.
Raymarine users can take advantage of the split-screen fi shfi nder view
within the Navionics Boating app, enabling them to display charts and CHIRP
DownVision in the palm of their hands. A conventional sonar fi shfi nder view is
also available when used with Dragonfl y PRO models.
■ http://www.navionics.com/sonarchart-live
■ http://www.raymarine.com