иконографияиконивикNobeltec has announced a new platform based on Max-Sea Time Zero. From the Nobeltec announcement today:

“TimeZero Trident incorporates a whole new dimension into chart presentation with full time 3D chart rendering. Users can choose a 2D top-down view of the navigation chart for a look and feel that duplicates traditional chart plotting presentation. Or, users can choose to pan and zoom the chart to any angle at any range scale instantly. There is no limited “3D mode” because Nobeltec TimeZero Trident operates in a true 3D environment at all times.”

“Along with Furuno FAR2XX7 radar compatability, Trident will also integrate with Furuno’s entire DRS radar line, the FA30 and FA50 AIS units, DFF1 and DFF3 black box sounders, NavNet3D chart plotters, standard NMEA 0183 navigation sensors, and NMEA 2000 networks. ”

Nobeltec Trident is scheduled for release to the public later this spring.

Learn more at Ocean Navigator Online

мека мебелThe folks at Rose Point Navigation Systems have been busy with Coastal Explorer 2010. We were waiting a bit to ensure that features & functionality are solidified , but now seems like the right time to dive in into the details. Look for our thoughts on CE 2010 very soon!

Rose Point Navigation Systems is now offering radars for sale for use with Coastal Explorer 2009.

The quote below from their website sums up the offering:

The Rose Point Radar products are similar to traditional radars. The transceiver creates and broadcasts a signal which is transmitted by the antenna. The antenna forms a fan shaped beam that sweeps 360 degrees every 2.2 seconds. The sweeping antenna transmits and receives short pulses of microwave energy with either 1024, or 2048 cycles per revolution. Each received pulse is digitized by the interface box where it is converted into individual pixels, approximately 600 per pulse, and then transmitted to the PC via an Ethernet connection.

The software receives the radar data from the interface box and converts it into an image by displaying each pixel on the screen. The software computes the proper location of each pixel by using heading and position information provided by a digital compass and GPS.

Heading or position errors can cause image misalignment. Experience has shown that a heading sensor with plus or minus one degree accuracy is adequate for most applications. A Differential GPS or WASS GPS is recommended for accurate positioning of the image.

Activation of the radar features in Coastal Explorer is included with the purchase of the radar from Rose Point or an authorized reseller. The radar features only appear after the radar has been detected on the network. The radar controls are found in cruise mode and appear at the top of the screen in simple to understand and easy use buttons.

edfaInitialization is required the first time the radar is used. Some of the terms and concepts may seem foreign to new radar users, but the calibration is fairly easy to accomplish by following the instructions in the user guide. Presets are established so that the radar can produce the best possible image on subsequent usage. The software includes a simple Radar Calibration window that contains options for Networking, Controls, Installation offset, Gain and STC presets, Tuning, Transmission Trigger Delay and sector Blanking.

The Rose Point Navigation Systems 4kW 24″ Radome is now available in our online store.

I took a break from June 1st – 4th for the opportunity to crew aboard s/v Sequoia. Overall it was a nice transit voyage with minimal amounts of wind and moderate amounts of moisture along the way. We all wished there could have been more wind, but hey – there could have been more rain!

It was a great experience being on board with veterans of blue water cruising. The lessons of this particular passage was not just realizing just how much I had to learn about seamanship, the right knots for the right task and how to plan legs and change plans with the currents, but understanding just how important it is to know your vessel from the inside out.

Plan on failures, have redundant systems and a solid plan when problems occur.

This insight has me re-thinking the critical systems aboard C# and how I can build in some redundancies.

Thanks Craig and Barbara for having me aboard and wishing you a pleasant voyage to Alaska and back home.

I’ve been a little neglectful in not talking about one of the premier marine navigation software packages for the Mac. MacENC is put together with simplicity and ease of use in mind. MacENC includes a DVD of all NOAA vector charts making it one of the best values in marine navigation for $139 USD. See more about MacENC.

  Apps at AppStoreHQ

I’ve had some time to look at Coastal Explorer 2.0 a bit and will cover various features in a series of blog posts. There is a disclaimer of course, that since it’s still in beta anything is subject to change before release.

The textual weather display is a big improvement over version 1.1 with the addition of one simple feature. The area for which the weather is downloaded is highlighted on the chart. This makes it very simple to pull a weather statement for any region on the chart and quickly understand which region the forecast applies. The graphical weather appears unchanged from version 1.1

I just received the dealer NFR copy of NOBELTEC Admiral MAX Pro today. I Will install soon and provide a brief rundown on the features and functionality. C-Map chart integration is of course the key feature, but I am curious to see what other new functionality and features are included. Stay tuned…

NOBELTEC Admiral and VNS MAX Pro will begin shipping on May 5th. Below is a list of some changes communicated from NOBELTEC:

1. No more site keys. Program unlocks are managed through the USB hardware key and will allow customers to install on up to six PCs as planning stations
2. Passport Deluxe and S-57 charts are no longer supported
3. Raster Plus Pack is required for viewing BSB charts (free plus pack)
4. MAX Pro charts will not be sold in packages with vouchers until the next database (like WF) is released as all full packages and upgrades will contain all required chart discs.
5. New chart installer for MAX Pro charts. Same chart installer for plus packs, radar, sounder, etc

I just got word from Rose Point Navigation Systems tonight that Coastal Explorer 2.0 was available for beta download. After a quick look there are many new features like support for radar (a whole different topic), enhanced AIS collision avoidance mechanisms like highlighted danger areas, a very slick cruise mode interface that removes the list clutter and arranges the items neatly behind large (vista like) icons. There is a new ship’s log area where it looks like users can share information, much like Active Captain and others.

There was a mention in the beta release communication that not all features and functionality are present in this initial beta. There will be much more to come after a more in-depth look in the near future.

NavSoftware has been approved to be a marine chart distributor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We are excited to be able to offer official NOAA chart products for all united states waters. NOAA ENC and RNC Charts are compatible with most all marine navigation software products we offer for sale.

We just got word from Rose Point Navigation Systems that Coastal Explorer 2.0 is coming very soon!

Please see the release below:

Rose Point Navigation Systems is happy to inform you that a new version of Coastal Explorer, version 2.0, will be released soon. We will be demonstrating the new pre-release version at the 2008 Seattle Boat Show in January, and anticipate a considerable wave of interest from the boating public.

Stay tuned for more details, pricing, feature lists, etc. as they become available.