Game-Changing Marine Electronics from the 2024 NMEA Expo
Every year, leaders in the electronics industry get together at the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Conference and Expo to showcase new products and help educate installers through a series of seminars. Here are a few highlights from this year’s NMEA Expo in Providence, Rhode Island.
VHF Radios Grow Up
New technology allows for a host of functions to be incorporated into VHF radios. The ICOM M510 Evo is a fixed-mount marine VHF with a color screen, built-in hailer, and optional internal Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. What’s new is that you can connect the radio to a smartphone app that allows you to use your phone as a fully functioning second station. Garmin offers a similar app to connect to its Cortex system (formerly Vesper), but while you can access VHF and AIS info on your phone, you can’t transmit on the radio using the app. The Garmin system does offer Class B AIS which both receives and transmits. A new product from SRT Marine systems, a longtime provider of AIS technology, is the Em-Trak Nexus X100 VHF which will be available in early 2025. This fixed-mount VHF does it all. It has a 5W SOTDMA Class B AIS (transmit and receive) and a smartphone app that lets you interface with the transceiver to pull up AIS data as well as act as a second station on the VHF and hailer. Integrating AIS and DSC (Digital Selective Calling) allows for direct, one-click calling to nearby vessels. Other advanced functions include Man Overboard (MOB) alarms which let you track any smartphone/smart watch for fast location and recovery.
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FURUNO TZtouchXL TZTBBX Black Box MFD
The new TZTBBX is a black box that connects to any of the FURUNO multifunction 17-inch, 19-inch, or 24-inch displays. The hexacore processor is fast and can split any display into six different programmable sections. New TZ MAPS cartography provides both the detail and flexibility needed for serious boating and fishing. Based on TimeZero, it lets you buy charts globally with a single purchase directly on the multifunction display (MFD). TZ MAPS combines the best of both vector and raster charts with multiple magnification levels and eight customizable colors. FURUNO’s BathyVision offers custom depth color shading and configurable contour lines down to an amazing three-inch resolution for ultra-accurate, brightly colored fishing charts.
NMEA Best New Product Award
The BRNKL Blue system is a vessel monitoring and security system which includes video capabilities. It can be hooked up to existing onboard equipment through NMEA 2000 and other protocols. Onboard cameras like the new Garmin GC 255 and GC 245 (see next page), as well as cameras from FLIR and other manufacturers can also be integrated. The BRNKL Blue system acts like a DVR by recording onboard activity in real time and comes with either 1TB or 4TB capacity. No subscription is required as communications can be integrated with existing onboard wireless Internet systems, including Starlink. BRNKL Blue supports remote digital switching control from CZone, EmpirBus, and Maretron. Activated with either a fixed or wireless button, the unique “Fish On!” capabilities document key moments on the water, like catching a fish, that can be provided to tournament directors or easily shared with friends on social media. The system activates all cameras on the boat to record the entire fight. GPS location of where the fish was caught and other onboard activities, engine and power monitoring are recorded along with the video for after catch evaluation. Onboard motion sensors can also trigger cameras to record data and images when used in security mode.
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NMEA 2024 Technology Award
MConnect provides vessel monitoring and control utilizing WSV100 hardware. Real-time data can be displayed on multiple devices, including phones, tablets, and PCs. Software features include a graphics editor that lets users create customized interfaces that can be displayed on any browser-enabled device as well as MFDs from a variety of manufacturers like Garmin OneHelm, Raymarine LH 4, Furuno NavNet, and more. The MConnect system connects to a boat’s NMEA 2000 network, offering unparalleled access to hundreds of data points for comprehensive monitoring of vessel devices and components. The versatility of the system allows OEMs to create unique branded displays while also letting end users set up the system how they want it. The system can be fully integrated with digital switching systems like Octoplex and MPower providing an interconnected marine ecosystem. Sharing of screens and solutions developed with the built-in editor allows access to semicustom designs from third-party integrators. Multiple screens can be accessed and used simultaneously all driven by the single server providing further opportunities for onboard customization without necessitating redundant hardware.
Garmin Marine Cameras
Dock your boat with confidence using the all-new Garmin GC 245 and GC 255 marine cameras. The high-definition cameras, built for a wide range of Garmin chartplotters, feature on-screen distance markers and guidance lines to enhance situational awareness from the helm when docking in tight quarters. The cameras provide multiple views, including wide-angle FishEye and Bird’s Eye, that work in normal and low-light conditions, and have digital zoom capability to take a closer look. Up to four cameras can simultaneously stream on a compatible chartplotter or share across networked chartplotters throughout the vessel. The GC 255 has a stainless steel thru-hull design for flush mounting, and the GC245 features a surface-mount that installs dome up or down without cutting into the hull. Both cameras have an IPX7 waterproof rating. MSRP $699.99 (GC 245) and $999.99 (GC 255); garmin.com
-by Arnie Hammerman
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