Moerer WIB2 Navtex for PC - magic box?

[zia]

Howdy,
has anyone heard if this gadget is any good? I am thinking about Navtex since we are currently sailing the Med.

Below is the information on the unit. thanks a million
Joe Boyle SV ZIA zialater.com

Moerer WIB2
The NAVTEX messages will be read by PC or laptop.

No software installation necessary, simple to use, like a USB stick.

490kHz (national language)
518kHz (english)

Digital receiver for 490kHz and 518kHz
Simultaneous reception on both frequencies
Internal ferrite rod antenna, no antenna installation necessary
The equipment is used like a USB-stick
Dimensions only 90x57x23 mm
Internal batteries for approx. 3 days cont. operation without PC
The batteries will be charged via PC
Non volatile data memory for 762000 characters
Automatical message administration
A charger for 12/24V or 230V is optionally available
NAVTEX from the costal radio stations

A connection between WIB2 and PC will be established via USB. The WIB2 will be recognized as USB memory device. (data memory)

The NAVTEX messages are stored on this data medium in HTML code.

The data will be shown an th PC monitor via a webbrowser.

No software installtion is necessary.

 

[whipper_snapper]

I've never heard of it, but it is hard to believe that an internal antenna would be sufficient for useful reception. Also the beauty of a standalone navtex device is that you don't have to continually run a power-hungry PC.

So I am dubious.

 

[vyv_cox]

Ditto for me. I can't see the sense of a device that requires the computer to be on 24 hours a day, drawing 2 amps, and with all the likely unreliability problems that might be expected. My Nasa Navtex runs for 6 months non-stop every year, draws milliamps of power and cost less than £300.

 

[Allan]

I think the point of the kit above is that you only need to turn on the laptop when you want to read what has been recorded.
Allan

 

[whipper_snapper]

Ah OK, I had missed

*Internal batteries for approx. 3 days cont. operation without PC

Sounds much more interesting then. I guess you would fire-up the PC every now and then, that may be useful if it is being used as a plotter as well. But it would be less convenient than the continual real time monitoring combined with low power consumption that you get from a dedicated device.

 

[malcolmbullock]

Hi, I've just bought one. I was sceptical about many things when it turned up yesteray but so far seems OK. It plugs into a PC via USB ad charges from that. The documentation says 7 days for batteries so, 3-7 days. You can get power into it without connecting a PC though via a 12v-USB adapator. The unit shows up on the PC as another 'drive' in the same way that a USB key might. The messages are displayed via a web browser. I think the review in PBO (or one of the mags) made the point that it doesnt translate the codes, which is true and it doesb't allow you to select message types etc. However, the messages are stored on the 'disk' as small 1Kb text files. I am just about to start writing a software programme to act as a new front-end for mine. If you have any thoughts on useful functionality for a navtex front end please let me know and I can build this in. Also, if you want a copy (will be suitable for Windows only I'm afraid) then let me know, it will be free. The reception is Excellent. I placed it in an upstairs room at home (Cheshire, approx 25miles inland from Liverpool) and it is receiving the UK broadcasts fine. the beauty of this is that is doesnt need an another aerial, it doesnt need a dedicated display (I can just check the weather when I want to) and it's very small and power friendly. The only let down is the UI/software hence writing my own. I've also thought about how I could 'transmit' the data locally so it could be picked up via mobile phone or PDA but that's probably a bit techno overkill!! I guess formatting into NMEA sentences would be useful too for viewing via a chartplotter. Anyway, there's a mini-review. Well worth the money IMHO. The NASA which is comparable in price won't receive both channels at the same time which this does and for me that seemed important. Thanks, Malc

 

[demery4511]

Malcolm,
I'm seriously considering buying one of these units, but wondered if it would be possible to display the information on a pocket pc such as an iPAQ. Do you know if this is possible, or whether suitable software could be written for the iPAQ, and if so by whom.
It seems like overkill to me to have to use a laptop to read the information, specially if a laptop is not generally used on board. Notwithstanding the power supply problems with a laptop. I am particularly keen to use a pocket pc or Psion handheld device as I already use these on board. If this is possible I would leave the WIB2 permanently connected to a power source, and download the messages to the handheld as required.

Regards

David