VX360 by Predator

VX360 Predator is Rugged Waterproof Action-cam.

More info: Predator Home Page

Which mouse to use on the boat

Belkin water-proof mouse

It gets wet anyway. Solution – Belkin water-proof mouse
SRP  U$ 29.90

Real action-cam for sailing Contour HD

Contour HD waterproof helmet cam

I wrote about small-budget wide-angle waterproof camera lately. But there is newcomer – Contour HD. Real helmet-mountable action-cam. Tough and waterproof. It has HD 720 capability to shoot really hi-res material to SD card. No moving parts in the camera, no wires, copes well rough handling. But also no LCD display. I don’t think, its a flaw, camera has 135 degree wide-angle lens.

Most of us don’t have helmets like Alinghi 5 multi-hull test-sailors. But I believe, that windy weathehr can provide nice footage from the action on the sea. Most Contour HD samples right now are from skiing slopes and mountain-bike trails. Why not from the sea?

Pro’s

• HD image quality
• tough, waterproof
• small
• Mac and Windows PC compatible

Con’s

• No LCD
• Microphone is too sensitive to wind

More info: Contour HD Helmet Cam

iPhone – one of the best sailing gadgets ever

iPhone and Apple divide world into two separate groups, ones who love and others who don’t. I’m personally in the second group. But still, have to admit, that iPhone is one of the best sailing gadgets ever. That’s Why:

iNavX

1. iNavX navigation program, created by the same people who wrote GPSNavX. Compatible with NOAA RNC raster charts, CHS Canada Charts, Navionics Gold Charts, Discovery Charts, HotMaps, NV. Verlag Charts, TRAK Canada lakes fishing maps and Solteknik Sweden waters charts, purchased separately.

AyeTides

2. AyeTides displays tides and currents for locations around the world. Based upon Mr. Tides, AyeTides is tuned for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is a stand-alone application and does not require internet access to function. Have tides and currents at your fingertips at all times! AyeTides is available from the iTunes App Store !

3. SailSim sailing simulation program

One video is better than 10 000 words…

4. iPhone WindMeter

5. YourSail Logbook. With JourSail you can document your cruises easily and fast. Whether you’re sailing with a little yacht or are enjoying yourself abord the Queen Mary II: with JourSail you’ll have all your notes and memories in a perfect format quickly at hand. With JourSail you can make entries every hour, every day or every 15 minutes – however you like it. Follow the rhythm you prefer and change it whenever you want – just the way you like it.

SailMaster

6. SailMaster digital display. At a fraction of the cost of stand-alone tactical systems, the SailMaster application for the Apple iPhone provides all the information needed to optimize sailing and racing performance.  SailMaster displays key data in a clear and easy to read format and can help sailors of all abilities understand how to maximize speed and efficiency. Originally designed as an economical tool for experienced sailors to optimise racing performance, SailMaster is a simple low solution that will benefit sailors of all abilities.

Please find out more in iPhone and Mac on Sailing Discussion board and iPhone AppStore

With JourSail you can document your cruises easily and fast.

Whether you’re sailing with a little yacht or are enjoying yourself abord the Queen Mary II: with JourSail you’ll have all your notes and memories in a perfect format quickly at hand.

Easy, mobile and a lot of fun

With JourSail you can make entries every hour, every day or every 15 minutes – however you like it. Follow the rhythm you prefer and change it whenever you want – just the way you like it.

Camera to take to the sea

When it’s sunny, it doesn’t matter what camera You got. But in most yachting conditions something splash-proof is needed. We know that all known brand’s flagship cameras are weather sealed, like Nikon D3, Canon EOS-1D, Olympus E-3, Panasonic K7. But what is the alternative, not talking with the bank manager? Something <400 U$ point and shoot, instead of U$ 2000 + pro stuff.

All main brands got now so-called tough models in their range. Some examples to grab from the store to next yachting event:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1S

I personally love Lumix. Its designed in cooperation with Leica, top quality camera maker. Some Lumix cameras actually are branded as Leica. Lumix uses leica lenses and the quality is just better than others. Now Lumix has drop-proof and water-proof compact cam.

It has a nice design, 12.2 mega pixels and face detection recognition, and optical image stabilization. It also features an intelligent auto mode that automatically detects scenarios and loads presets so that you don’t have to browse through its collection of 27 modes.  The winner is the 4.6x optical zoom lens with a useful 28-128mm-equivalent range.  The very good image quality, ruggedness and all the other features make this camera a great choice for the sea.

Olympus µ TOUGH-8000

Olympus is one of the first camera brands, who started to think about active lifestyle. Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 is waterproof to a depth of even 10 metres (thats more than nearest competitors), shockproof to a height of 2 metres and includes a high precision 3.6x wide optical zoom. This makes it the ideal partner for yachting. With the convenient TAP Control you can operate the camera by tapping the body. The μ TOUGH-8000 offers you Dual Image Stabilisation for perfectly sharp pictures when using maximum zoom or shooting in lower light.

Pentax Optio W80 Azure Blue

Pentax has Optio models W60 (available also in Ocean Blue ) and even tougher W80 (pictured here in Azure Blue). This camera is able to record  HD video in 720p mode. Lens starts from 28mm, whit ch is good on the boat to capture all action in wider perspective.

So, don’t afraid to take camera on-board anymore when water is in the air;) These cameras don’t mind dropping, hitting, splashing or even freezing. And its easy to flush them clean from salt under the fresh water tap later. Cameras full of life.

Canon Powershot D10

For those with a taste for water-related leisure, there’s a camera — Canon PowerShot D10. Waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof; it’s tough enough to take what you dish out. Plus it’s got all the high performance features you expect from a Canon digital camera. You’ve got 12.1 megapixels of resolution plus all of Canon’s powerful, state-of-the-art imaging technologies so you can capture your experiences in breathtaking color and awesome detail.

Omnidirectional 9 dBi WiFi solution

Friend of mine uses for offhore Internet setup like that:

Interline INT-HOR-0924-V omnidirectional antenna

9 dBi omnidirectional 54 cm long Interline in the masttop. Good solution for yacht, cause it’s lightning protection shorted for DC. Same antenna is available also in 12 dBi version, but for yachtowners I recommend 9 dBi model because of wider vertical reception pattern.

Ubiquiti Bullet

…. connected to Ubiquiti Bullet

Bullet turns onmidirectional antenna into Ethernet (RJ-45). Easy and simple. No drivers needed, pure IP internet directly to laptops 10/100/100 base-T connector.

Pro’s:

• omnidirectional, install and forget
• POE, needs only Cat5 cable, power is feeded over same cable

Con’s:

• 9 dBi amplification

Products mentioned

Interline INT-HOR-09/24-V

Ubiquiti The Bullet

USB Internet dongle

USB internet broadband dongle

Close to harbour it’s possible to hook up to local WiFi network, either with WiFi ready laptop, USB WiFi extender of WiFi extender-router. In all those cases, distance to the nearest base station shouldn’t be more than mile or two. We know, that hi-budget ocean-racing teams use all kind od satellite connections. But are there other broadband solutions for less budget. Answer is: mostly.

So-called USB Internet Dongle (broadband dongle) is provided by all bigger mobile networks and they rely on mobile network technologies. So, almost every time, when You have mobile coverage, You are able to use Internet.

USB Internet dongle is connect to computer via USB port. Noew dongles are USB 2.0, but they are backward compatible with older USB 1,0 standard. It needs additional driver and client software. Luckily this all is on the same USB stick and You don’t need to carry along additional CD.

Depending of signal quality and mobile network service providers infrastructure, the speed can vary great deal. In best case You may able to get 3,5G HDSPA speeds at 7,2 Mbps. When signal strength is lower or mobile infrastructure is not supporting higher speeds, USB dongle speed falls back to next available level. Usually it’s shown also in the application window.

Fallback list (download speeds):

• 7,2 Mbps 3,5 G (HDSPA)
• 2,0 Mbps 3 G (HSUPA)
• 0,5 Mbps 2,75 G (EDGE)
• 0,1 Mbps 2,5 G (GPRS)

Broadband speeds

Mbps figures are indicative, depends of sub-standards
and specific hardware in use

GPRS and EDGE speeds may seem quite out-dated. I found it still usable, looking weather website, downloading e-mails and uploading blog posts. Indeed, rich content like multimedia files, large images, video streaming etc is no-no.

Amplified USB cable

It’s wise to use 3 Meter (10 ft) long passive USB cable or even longer (even up to 15 meter or 45 ft) amplified USB cable to place dongle as high as possible, to receive quality signal. I experienced situations, when down in the galley I didn’t have any signal, but standing on the deck with my notebook/USB dongle, I was able to use 3,5G speedy connection.

Some tips using internet dongle:

• Disable automatic windows update
• Disable virus database/program updates
• Disable other automatic updaters (iTunes, Adobe, …)
• Disable P2P programs like uTorrent clients
• Configure confirmation requirement before automatic internet connection for e-mail programs, etc
• Use long USB cable to place dongle to highest point possible
• Disconnect after use

In near future G4 technology will allow 100 Mbps speeds, but it requires updating all network infrastructure by service providers and in real life it takes some time to get these speeds.

Solar GPS

F-tech solar-powered bluetooth GPS

Many people use Laptops and cheap GPS mouse (connected to USB), equipped with PC navigation software and electronic charts instead of dedicated chartplotter. It’s a quite good solution for route planning at home. Laptop display is also bigger and it’s considerable faster and more usable than cheap chartplotter.

But there is a problem with GPS. Using U$ 50 – 100 USB GPS mouse is easiest and cheapest way, but the USB wire is always on the way and GPS is not on ideal position. Luckily GPS makers like F-Tech heard that issue and developed solar-power wireless GPS. It doesn’t need batteries, wires, switching on/off. Its just sitting somewhere on the deck and sending positions via bluetooth. Sun is almost limitless power source on the sea, why not to use it? And it can still function in total darkness 20 hours, off the battery, fully charged.

F-Tech Solar GPS tech data:

Protocol:	NMEA 0183 v3.01 (Default：GGA,GSA,GSV,RMC,VTG,CHN) MTK NMEA Command
Baud Rate:	9600,N,8,1(Default)
Max. Update Rate:	1 Hz
Datum:	WGS84
Channel:	32 channel all-in-view tracking
Frequency:	L1, 1575.42MHz
Hot Start:	1 sec. Average
Warm Start:	36 sec. Average
Cold Start:	37 sec. Average
Reacquisition Time:	Less than 1 sec (Typical)
Position Accuracy:	< 3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal)
Sensitivity	Tracking：-158 dBm
Power Supply:	DC 5V
Power Consumption	45mA(avg.)
Battery Life	20HRs with Li-Ion Battery,30HRs with solar power
Antenna Type:	Built in low noise patch antenna
External Antenna Interface:	MMCX
Bluetooth	Class 2, distance up to 10 meters
Dimension:	55(W)x103(L)x22(H) mm
LED Indicator:	Red LED：GPS is fixed or not fixed / Power On Blue LED：BT is connected or not connected
Operating Temperature:	-10°C to + 70°C
Storage Temperature:	-40°C to + 85°C
Operation Humidity:	5%~95%, Non-Condensing

Products mentioned

F-Tech

Working solution for long-distance WiFi – Ubiquity NanoStation 2

Ubiquity NanoStation 2 WiFi extender +10 dB

I posted earlier a story about simple USB-based WiFi amplifier. Many yachtsmen use instead Ubiquity NanoStation and it has been proven working quite well.

Basically, it’s WiFi-to-Ethernet router. It receives WiFi signal via 4 internal antennas, amplifies signal, converts it to copper and passes to Your computer via ethernet cable. All electronics is inside the 26 cm long antenna, so there are no signal losses and noises compared with products using long antenna cables. NanoStation uses power over Ethernet method to provide required power to the circuitry, only single CAT5 RJ-45 cable is needed for connection. Additional RJ-45 POE hub is included.

NanoStation works in b/g range, so don’t expect too swift data transfers, but still much more reliable connections, than std WiFi. NanoStation 2 is directional, so You have to align it towards to base station. Expect to pay for NanoStation abpout U$ 80. Highly affordable product!

There are real-life reports about reliable WiFi at more than 2 miles distance.

Products Mentioned

Ubiquity NanoStation 2

Waterproof passive computer on-board

Stealth Computers waterproof IP67 and NMEA6 rated computer

I posted a story about tough Dell Latitude XFR as near-ideal yachd computing resource. There are also other possible computer systems, not only notebooks, but surprisingly also desktops.. For U$ 2000 its possible to buy 100% waterproof IP67 and NMEA 6 rated passive computer from Stealth Computers. It’s  based on energy-saving Atom 330 dual-core processor. Waterproof means, that all power cords and peripheral wires are sealed. Passive means, that there is no fans, outer panels of computer are used for cooling. Atom processor and passive design keeps power requirements at low level, about 20 Watts (figure is my speculation, no actual data available).

Computer is equipped with 1,5M wires for peripherals, like water-proof LCD touch-screen and USB. Device uses also SSD (solid state drives) making it not only water- and dustproof, but also shock-proof. Input voltage can vary in wide range, accepting as low as 10 VDC, making this computer truly yacht compatible.

Technical data:

Intel Atom 330 CPU 1,6 GHz

2 GB RAM standard (more than enouhg for sailing applications)

80 HB extreme environment HDD (stands 300G), SSD optional

Intel GMA 950 graphics (resolution up to 2048 x 1056 pixels)

Input voltage range 10 – 30 VDC

Products mentioned:

Stealth Computers WPC-500F waterproof fanless computer

There is marine navigation software and sailing software

Many people doesn’t differentiate these two categories. Generally navigation software taken as just some computer program, showing boat’s position in the map, allowing to enter waypoints and helping to navigate.

Sailboat has much more requirements, compared to motor boats and -yahts. Getting from point A to B is not only about distance and boat speed and/or SOG. ETA is more complicated, it’s also about tacking, VMG (velocity made good), different winds in different part of track and also boats parameters (polar charts).

Most of so-called marine navigation software packages are for powered vessels. True sailing software combines wind computer, navigation software and weather communication. Some sailing softwares are programmed from scratch, some fave so-called plus-pack’s or option-pack’s, providing sailing functionality.

I try to list here software, meant specially for sailing, allowing to push maximum speed from Your yacht.

Expedition (about U$ 1300)

Expedition supports more instrument systems, is easier to use and has the most powerful and useful functions for the racing navigator.

Expedition has been developed by veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner, physicist Nick White, initially for his use in the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race with Team News Corp and the Stars & Stripes Americas Cup team.

Since then, Expedition has been continually refined by a core group of world-renowned navigators and  two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler has consulted closely in the development of the system

The end result is a system that wins more races and is far more advanced and usable in all aspects than any other tactical software available – whether you are racing around the world or your local harbour.

One of the best and most complete tactical navigation systems, developed racing in mind. Expedition supports more instrument systems, is easier to use and has the most powerful and useful functions for the racing navigator. Expedition has been developed by veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner, physicist Nick White, initially for his use in the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race with Team News Corp and the Stars & Stripes Americas Cup team. Since then, Expedition has been continually refined by a core group of world-renowned navigators and  two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler has consulted closely in the development of the system. The end result is a system that wins more races and is far more advanced and usable in all aspects than any other tactical software available – whether you are racing around the world or your local harbour. Supports also handicap calculations.

Link to Expedition homepage

B&G Deckman (previously Sailmath Deckman from Pro-Tech Marine, about U$ 1650)

Deckman is among world’s most advanced tactical navigation software and is used by winners in every field, from sports boats to the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup. Deckman includes all the tools you need for short course round the buoys racing, offshore racing and boat tuning. Deckman has numerous functions to assist the racing navigator and tactician in making the right decisions on the race course, it is also closely integrated with instrument systems and in many cases is able to output functions back to the instrument system displays for use by crew on deck. Deckman provides the edge required to win races.

Visit B@G Deckman homepage

Nobeltec Admiral MAX Pro + Sailing Pack (together about U$ 1500)

Admiral MAX Pro gives you all the features found in Visual Navigation Suite MAX Pro (VNS MAX Pro) including Microsoft® Vista support, improved depth contour and night mode display options, and a handy Undo/Redo feature. Augment your system with add-ons: Sailing Plus Pack with new Windvantage™ Weather Router, Weather Plus Pack (now works with both Sirius® and XM® data receivers), Bathy Recorder Plus Pack, Tender Tracker Plus Pack, and Raster Plus Pack.** Additional Admiral MAX Pro features include four fully-customizable NavInfo panels for immediate display and histogram representation of key navigation data, a hand panning tool, GPS signal strength, trip odometer display, advanced multi-monitor support, GlassBridge™ Network, data sharing, track line coloring, dual radar support, vessel scaling, AIS filtering, and the easy-to-use NavView touch-screen, with a big-button user interface.

Sailing Plus Pack includes Weather Router feature. This feature relies on the Route Wizard to make calculations based on the boat’s performance characteristics (which are stored in the polar files) and a GRIB weather file. The software then creates a recommendation for the best possible route. Windvantage Weather Router complements the comprehensive feature pack, containing key cruising and performance tools that will undoubtedly improve your sailing skills. Sailing Plus Pack delivers the right information – when you need it.Incoming wind and sailing data, whether delivered via Ockam®; B&G®, or strictly from NMEA input, is used to create a total awareness in your Nobeltec display. Import or create a polar file and watch it instantly update with actual on-water data. Next, display on-screen indicators, such as laylines, reverse laylines, and over-the-chart wind indicators. Then display polar targets and actuals as a real number or percentages for instant performance verification. You can also measure data and performance using analysis tools that are built into Nobeltec’s exclusive Strip Chart technology.

Nobeltec Admiral home page

Nobeltec VNS MAX Pro + Sailing Pack (together about U$ 800)

A bit scaled down version of Admiral product. Visual Navigation Suite MAX Pro* **(VNS MAX Pro™) is known for setting the standard for powerful yet simple navigation software. This software now renders the best electronic cartography on the market. Jeppesen Marine and C-Map by Jeppesen partner to produce the ultimate navigation software using the most popular electronic cartography available. The result is navigation software with breathtaking cartography and incomparable features.

VNS MAX Pro delivers all the most popular features, including real time vessel positioning, quilting for seamless chart integration, distance and bearing to active mark/route/target, unlimited route and waypoint placement, GPS upload/download, twilight and night display, integrated ETA calculator, auto-pilot support, and much more. This new version works with Windows® Vista and additionally adds an Undo/Redo feature. If you accidentally delete a Nav Object, such as a mark, you needn’t worry. Simply use the Undo/Redo feature to restore it. Finally, VNS MAX Pro serves as the launch platform for sounder and radar integration and feature-specific plus pack add-ons for fishing, sailing, and satellite weather support.

Nobeltec VNS PRO homepage

Maxsea Time Zero Explorer (additional Routing Module and Race Module, together about U$ xxxx)

Naval architect and ocean sailor,Brice Pryszo first developed the sail routing software in 1984, based on isochrones method.In 1985, Brice Pryszo co-founded MaxSea International. From that time MaxSea has pioneered a long list of innovations; the first seamless chart display, the first weather forecast file received onboard, invention of the personal bathymetric generator and 3D bathymetric display, and more.

Visit Maxsea Time Zero homepage

SailCruiser (about U$ 400)

One affordable product.

SailCruiser accounts for sailboat tacking using wind, speed and direction to get you to your destination as quickly and efficiently as possible. Standard GPS chart plotters assume that sailboats travel in a straight line to their destinations, and are unable to calculate an accurate ETA during tacking legs. Finally, a solution! Tacking Time to Destination (TTD)™ is basic information that all sailors should have easy access to. SailCruiser provides a clear display of the optimal tacking route, and shows the Tacking Time to Destination. SailCruiser will display tacking on multiple waypoints (below left). Racers will find this an invaluable aid, showing tacking routes and TTD around an entire course. Polar Plots can also be entered for individual boat performance.

SailCruiser homepage

Wi-Fire WiFi range-extending antenna from hField

hField WiFi range extender

I use WiFi wherever it can. To write my blog, upload sailing photos and videos, looking weather forecast and regatta information. On the sea, only option is to use GPRS/3G/3,5G, but in most small ports there is free wifi at least in Finland, Sweden and Estonia. Problem is, that yacht is away from WiFi base station and signal is weak or none.

hField technology has handy small USB device, called Wi-Fire, amplifying WiFi signal. The WiFi antenna will provide higher speeds at low signal strengths than your typical internal WiFi adapter. It has even beat Draft802.11n products in range and speed at long distances, up to 300 meters.

hField is connected to computer via USB and requires to install driver and wireless manager. It costs about U$ 60.

Products mentioned:

hField Wi-Fire extender

Laptops less hungry – battery friendly computing on-board

Dell Mini 12, Atom based battery-friendly netbook

Electricity is scarce commodity on the boat. So, You like to conserve it. Modern navigation solutions, based on PC and powerful dedicated chart-plotters can drain Your battery quickly. Modern chart-plotters, like Raymarine E-series and C-series units draw 32 Watts or 2,7 Amps. Powerful Laptop can easily draw more than 50 Watts and drain Your battery in a day.

Luckily there 2 two new computer technologies, available right now, what save energy and provide enough computing power to provide low-energy navigation. Even if You like to use sailboat specific complex polar-data based tacking computing and other computer-intensive sailboat specific stuff.

Atom CPU is new Intel low-power CPU. Designed specially for ultra-portable netbook computers like Dell Mini 12 and Asus Eee PC 1100, having 24-30 Watt hour batteries. Atop draws less energy than Celeron and Core Duo. Whole system (laptop) spends less than 10 Watts.

SSD drives or solid state drives, next HDD or hard drive. SDD has no moving pars. They are chock-proof and spend less electricity than conventional HDD. Price is still quite high, but smaller units cost only 100-200 U$.

Screen size is still a problem with less-powered units. Dell Mini 12 has biggest LCD screen on the market, still only 12″. Barely enough for navigation, but not most comfortable.

Products mentioned

Dell Mini 12

Asus Eee PC 1100

Leaping Mouse syndrom

In some rare cases PC thinks that GPS and other NMEA data, assigned to serial port, is Microsoft Ballpoint Mouse. In this case Your mouse goes nuts and starts jumping to random locations on the screen and off. At least, my Dell Latitude’s mouse started act like crazy.

Solution:

1. switch GPS and/or other NMEA data sources off, mouse  calms down
2. go to device manager (Control Panel, System)
3. find Microsoft Ballpoint Mouse under Mice and other pointing devices
4. disable it (right click, disable)
5. switch GPS on, mouse behaves now

Good luck!

Complete list of PC navigation software — almost complete

This is quite complete list of navigation software for PC. Please comment, is You find something missing or mistakes in price info etc.

Free

SeaClear II

OpenCPN

U$ 1 – U$ 500

Garmin Mobile PC (about U$ 60)

OziExplorer (about U$ 90)

Transas Navigator (about U@ 120)

MacENC for Mac (about U$ 160)

PassagePlus for Mac (about U$ 70)

GPSNavX for Mac (about U$ 60)

NavimaQ for Mac (about U$ 100)

Euronav SeaPro Lite (about U$ 160)

Fugawi Marine ENC (about U$ 280)

SailCruiser Pro by NavSim (about U$ 400)

Nobeltec VNS MAX Pro (Visual Navigation Suite) by Jeppesen (about U$ 490, Sailing Pack add  U$ 300)

Rose Point Coastal Explorer (about U$ 400)

DigiBoat SOB (about U$ 290)

DigiBoat SOB Pro (about U$ 450)

CAPN Navigation Software (about U$ 450)

NaviGator Std by Navigation Dynamics (about U$ 225)

NaviGator PRO by Navigation Dynamics (about U$ 500)

U$ 501 – U$ 1000

MaxSea Navigator (about U$ 600)

Raytech RNS by Raymarine (about U$ 600)

SeaPro Standard by Euronav (about U$ 580)

SeaPro Performance Sailing by Euronav (about U$ 915)

> U$ 1 001

NavCruiser Pro by NavSim (about U$ 1200)

MaxSea Exolorer (about U$ 3000)

Nobeltec Admiral MAX Pro by Jeppesen (about U$ 1000 – 1200)

Rose Point ECS (about U$ xxxx)

Discontinued

Maptech Chart Navigator (was about U$ 250, company was sold)

Maptech Chart Navigator Pro (about U$ 500 company was sold)

Rugged Dell Latitude XFR — sailing-proof laptop

We use regular business-class Dell Latitude series laptop in our yacht. in most cases it’s OK, but sometimes we have to protect it from seawater:

Dell Latitude D531 laptop 15,4" WXGA 1920 x 800

There have always been rugged computers available, like Panasonic Toughbook 30. But they have been quite pricey and proprietary hardware. Until now. Dell launched rugged Latitude XFR model last month, based on industry standard Dell Latitude E-series platform. So, all drivers and software is exactly the same as usual Dell Latitude E-series business notebook. This makes it cheaper and compatible piece of hardware. And it has twice of the performance of Panasonic CF30.

Dell Latitude XFR rugged laptop

Dell Latitude XFR is IP65 sealed against water and dust. It can drop from 4 feet’s, no problem. XFR uses 64GB solid state drive, battery-friendly and shock-proof. 14″ LCD screen is sunlight-readable, one of the most required features on yacht. Price starts from U$ 4300.

Who doesn’t need such protection, may consider more affordable Dell Latitude ATG version. It’s not IP65 liquid protected, but still complies MIL-STD 810F standard of dust, humidity and vibration. Prices from U$ 1800.

Products mentioned

Dell Latitude XFR rugged laptop

Dell Latitude ATG semi-rugged laptop

Panasonic Toughbook 30 rugged laptop

RS-232 to USB adapter, how to connect PC to B&G H2000 or H3000via USB

Serial-to-USB adapter

Many of us use general purpose laptop PC and PC navigation software like Maptech Chart Navigator Pro, Tiki Navigator Pro, BoatCruiser Pro, Nobeltec Admiral,  MaxSea, Fugawi ENC or other for navigation. For better navigation its vital to link navigation computer not only to GPS, but also to anemometer, gyro compass, depth sonar and AIS system. NMEA 0183 unified protocol makes it possible. Most of marine equipment talk NMEA 0183 and navigation software can understand it. But there the problem arises. Most of sea equipment rely on old-school serial interface, called RS-232. New computers have one or non of these, but plenty of USB connectors.  How to connect RS-232 interfaced sailing processor like B&G Hydra 3000 or Hercules 2000 to PC? I used two Prolific RS-232 to USB adapters to convert all inputs to USB. Windows software and Prolific driver map all USB’s to COM ports, so it’s easy to configure devices in navigation software.

Connecting B&G H2000 or H3000 via USB to PC Laptop

There are many different adapters on market. I believe, they all work fine, cause technologically USB is also serial communication port. I used Prolific chipset adapter and it works flawlessly. In some applications it’s good idea to use one-to-many adapter. For example B&G H2000 sytem has 2 NMEA 0183 outputs and it’s impossible to get all data from one port onlt. So, I had to use 2 adapters and 2 USB ports.

You need also to configure port speeds to 4800 or 9600 bauds on both ends and configure correct COM port numbers in navigation software. But this will be another topic.

Products mentioned

General (Prolific chip) RS-232-to-USB adapter

Sailing-proof cellphone

Samsung B2100 waterproof

Most of us use their everyday handset on the yacht. I don’t. I’m afraid to loose my Samsung Omnia smartphone. Touch-screen is also quite impractical on the boat, glossy and smooth handset can easily slip out of the hand and fall overboard. So I bought new handset specially for sailing.

I investigated different handsets. There is king of the tough phones, like Sonim XP3 Quest. Tougher than tough (many videos in YouTube), But pricey and bulky. Also biased towards to shock protection — too tough in that category. Looking further, I found that Samsung has also waterproof model — Samsung GT-B2100. And its 3 times cheaper than Sonim. It was no brainer for me. Charger is the same as for my smart-phone Samsung Omnia. Phone is covered with semi-hard, slip-proof plastic. Battery/SIM/SD card compartment is very well sealed and closed by stainless steel screw. But display is small and low resolution for web browsing (just 120 x 160 pixels) and it’s practically impossible to use it for viewing weather forecast and -maps from the web. Handset has video recording capability, but also, resolution and image quality is so poor, that it doesn’t make sense to use it, although it’s waterproof and easy to use on deck. I really liked LED flashlight, it’s easy to use and surprisingly powerful.

Pro’s

• water, shock and dust-proof
• small, still easy to handle
• user-friendly and good usability
• pretty good reception
• micro SD card for multimedia like music tracks and family pics to go
• music player, FM radio
• flashlight

Con’s

• useless video camera (poor image quality)
• useless photo camera
• useless browser, too small screen, low resolution
• battery only mediocre (need to charge every other day)
• stopwatch usability poor: too small digits in stopwatch mode; volume button is active in stopwatch mode (page up and down function); too many intermediate (lap-) times in stopwatch, confusing
• no GPS

Conclusion

• affordable and usable handset for yachting

Products mentioned:

Samsung GT-B2100 Explorer

Sonim XP3 Quest

Modified Panasonic SDR-SW20 waterproof camcorder

Ok, I needed tough video camcorder to record yacht racing events on-board. My modest requirement list was:

• reasonable priced (well below U$ 1000)
• waterproof
• shock-proof
• easy to use
• fast start-up
• wide angle lens
• small enough to fit into Helly Hansen pocket

So, looking around, I didn’t find any suitable one. It should be SD card cam, due to shock resistancy requirement. HDD and DV cam’s cant cope hitting to the deck, during fast tack or other similar sudden ast of violence. I found some reasonable priced cameras like Panasonic SDR-SW20 and Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1 and Xacti VPC-CA9. There are also more less known brands like Hammacher and Vivitar. Still, they had quite moderate normal focal-lenght lens. Panasonic has 43 mm (wide end) in 35 mm film camera terms. But I need wide-angle, cause there is no room on the boat and You relly like to catch all the action, not fragments of somebody or pieces of something. I made through search, but still didn’t find any wide angle, compact SD card cam.

So, I had to modify one. I bought Panasonic SDR-SW20 cause the wasn’t Sanyo waterproof at dealers shop. I also purchased Cokin 050S wide-angle “magnetic” adapter. It was obvious, that magnetic fixation cant cope action on the boat. So, I just glued adapter to the camera, using Loctite SuperAttack Ultra Gel instant glue. Cokin 0,5X adapter shortens focal length to required 22mm wide angle and now it’s much more usable on the boat. Cokin has M and S size adapters in their product line for different camera models. Size S fits to Panasonic SDR-SW20. Size M is too large and it’s not easy to make it watertight. Use only very small amount of glue to fix wide-angle converter to the camera. It’s good idea to cover joint with colorless silicone to make modification watertight.

I equipped my Camera with 16GB SD card. I accommodates 4 h 20 m of max quality or 6 h 40 m of std quality recording. Enough for 1 day shooting. Camera came w/o memory card, it was good. Who needs some crappy entry level card, usually found in the package. LiIon battery is small. You have to re-charge it every evening after shooting.

Sample movie (on-board of our Grand Soleil 42R, approaching a mark, spinnaker up, genoa down…)

Pro’s

• cheap, camera + 16GB SD card + wide angle converter
  less than U$ 600
• compact, fits easily anywhere
• handy image stabilization
• easy to switch on/off by opening/closing LCD lid

Con’s

• short battery life
• image quality, no HD
• no MPEG4 (MPEG2 only)
• too small “Recording” indicator
• wide-angle converter too small to provide full sensor image

Products mentioned:

Panasonic SDR-SW20 waterproof SD camcorder

Cokin Magnefix 050S wide-angle converter (size S)

SanDisk Ultra II 16GB SDHC card

The Beginning

Garmin Oregon 400C

This blog is all about gadgets, used on the boat. New navigation tools, video equipment, communication, GPS etc. I’m not a pro sailer. I started sailing just 2 years ago, but I participate now different offshore races on our ORC Grand Soleil 42R, fast and beautiful yacht. Many skippers and sailors are concentrating on sailing only. I try to find how technology can make it better, more interesting and safer. And staying in reasonable budget. Enjoy!