Torries

purportedly easy to read in

direct sunlight. The radio has

a soft-key user interface that

features a four-way directional

keypad, and DSC calling capa-

bility that monitors channel

70 for emergency DSC sig-

nals. There’s also a dedicated

distress button that can trig-

ger man-overboard alarms

and broadcast them to all

DSC-equipped vessels within

VHF range. An integrated

GPS provides location infor-

mation (including speed and

bearing data) and allows you

to navigate from waypoint

to waypoint, while noise-

canceling technology helps

ensure clear communications.

Cameras from Iris

Iris Innovations has been

a disruptor in the thermal-

imaging-camera market for

several years with extremely

cost-competitive models

(including networkable cam-

eras, thermal imagers and

underwater cameras). Now,

with the announcement of

its new iHD technology, the

U.K.-based fi rm has turned its

attention to high- resolution

daylight cameras, which will

be featured on 2.0 versions

of many of the company’s

bestsellers, as well as on

new models under develop-

ment. The new iHD cameras

deliver 1,920-by-1,080-pixel

resolution and real-time per-

formance, and they feature

a plug-and-play network

interface, making them a con-

sideration for cruisers who

want to bolster onboard secu-

rity or have a better idea about

what’s unfurling topside.

At present, the iHD cam-

eras are compatible with

Garmin’s 84xx and 86xx dis-

plays and Raymarine’s gS195

displays, as well as with

PC-based navigation systems

and other types of displays

that feature HDMI, HD-SDI

or DVI inputs.

Raymarine Software,

Plotter Upgrades

Raymarine has been focusing

on software updates, includ-

ing a big upgrade to its EV1

solid- state compass, which can

be used as a stand-alone com-

pass or as part of Raymarine’s

Evolution autopilot system.

The company has also refi ned

the LightHouse navigation

operating system to off er

more functionality and opera-

tional fl exibility.

On the hardware side

of the business, last sum-

mer Raymarine brought

out the i70s instrument dis-

play ($480), and we got a

fi rst glimpse of it at the fall

shows. On fi rst glance, the

sharp-looking purpose-built

screen did not disappoint.

The i70s off ers a sleek

design that nicely com-

plements the aesthetics of

Raymarine’s eS and gS plotters,

and features a weatherproof

4.1-inch optically bonded

screen. Raymarine’s latest

instrument display boasts

bright colors, crisp contrasts

and a simple four-button user

interface. The i70s can be

networked with Raymarine

plotters to display customiz-

able navigation data, such as

depth, speed and wind infor-

mation, or it can be networked

directly to compatible sensors,

such as an anemometer, or to

other i70s displays to create a

stand-alone network. When

used in conjunction with a

Raymarine iTC-5 instrument

transducer (sold separately;

$265), the i70s can also dis-

play information from analog

instruments and transducers

(e.g., rudder-angle indica-

tors). Additionally, the display

can serve as an AIS repeater,

which is especially handy if the

vessel’s main plotter is fi tted

belowdecks.

Options from Standard

Standard Horizon has long

been a trusted name in marine

VHF radio communica-

tions, and the new Quantum

GX6500 appears to be appro-

priately christened. The radio

makes a bold leap forward by

combining several normally

stand-alone technologies

into one can-do unit. At its

Garmin has introduced the VHF 110 and VHF 210 AIS fi xed-mount radios, the latter with receive-only AIS capability. Both

off er digital selective calling (left, center). So does the new Standard Horizon Quantum Gx6500 (right), which comes with a

full Class B AIS transceiver (read: send and receive) and can be paired with up to fi ve RAM4W wired or wireless mics.

january/february 2017

cruisingworld.com

107

Contact the Vendors

Aydin: spartonre.com, 866-367-

2934

B&G; bandg.com, 603-324-2042

Garmin: garmin.com, 800-800-

1020

Icom: icomamerica.com, 425-

454-8155

Iris Innovations: boat-cameras

.com, 954-533 9381

Raymarine: raymarine.com, 603-

324-7900

Standard Horizon: standard

horizon.com, 714-827-7600

Weego: myweego.com, 609-

265-9200

Icom’s IC-M93D handheld

VHF is the slimmest on the

market but still includes all

the features you’d expect

from a marine radio — and

it fl oats.

CRW0217_RV1_electronics (Schmidt).indd 107 11/22/16 10:03 AM