Navigation data in cockpit

[Guest]

I wonder how others keep track of navigational data (COG, SOG, XTE etc.) when you sit under the sprayhood and the boat is on autopilot.

I've seen plenty of boats which have such data available BEHIND the steering wheel (on a pedestal with digital displays of various types) and obviously many have this data available at the Nav table (on the actual GPS unit). Many boats also have speed, depth and wind info available on repeaters under the sprayhood, but Nav data is usually lacking there.

Do you all go inside regularly to check where you are actually going and how fast, or do you read the pedestal displays upside down, as I often do ?

Of course what I am really after is clever ways to permanently display Nav data on a permanent repeater display under the sprayhood, so you can keep an eye on it continuously.

The obvious solution seems to be to install the GPS unit and screen under the sprayhood, but these days many high end GPS interfaces are integrated into the chart plotter or radar for which screens are usually installed at pedestal or nav table.

Does anyone have experience with repeaters for that type of GPS / Nav. data ?



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Oldhand]

I used to use a combination of a Stowe Dataline "Waypoint" display unit and the display on an Autohelm ST6000 to provide all required nav data in the cockpit. I now have a Ratheon (ex Autohelm now Raymarine) ST80 Multi display unit which provides pages of up to 4 data items per screen page, one of which has the content user programmable. Most autopilot control units which can stear to a NMEA navigation input will display navigation data one item at a time. NASA do a cheap navigation data display, accepting NMEA from a GPS and I think Silva also do one.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[John_Walker]

I use an Autohem ST50 GPS display which dsiplays GPS data on the NMEA data output from my MLR GPS. Most manufacturers of instrument systems have a repeater in their range that can display GPS data. There are, for example, two in the current Navman range, the Repeat 3100 and the Repeat 100. The only problem could be whether the instrument you choose is compatible with the NMEA sentences output by the GPS. I had to experiment with different sentences to get the MLR and Autohelm to work together. This where you need a good dealer.

John Walker

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Birdseye]

I do almost all my nav in the cockpit (helped by a semi dog house) so I use a Garmin handheld in the mounting they sell and piped into 12v. I also put the radar display in the cockpit. after all, what real use is it down below?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that. Would you know of any repeaters that actually repeat more than 1 or 2 data at a time ? I hate skipping through menu's all the time, so I would like to have COG, SOG, XTE, bearing and distance to waypoint, plus waypoint nr. or id all available on 1 or 2 repeaters.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

I guess the ST80 comes close to what I am looking for with 4 data items per page. I will check out details on the Hiswa Te Water show this week in Ijmuiden. Thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[sailorman]

do it the "old fasioned way " repeaters in front of the tiller / wheel on the hatch garage or beside the main hatch. everybody can see them.
who steers on a passage anyway, when Wilhelm is in charge he doesnt need to see repeaters.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Birdseye]

why pay for a repeater when for the same money you can get a handheld whic will also give you a back up. wire it in to the 12v, fix it in the holder you can buy.....

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ANATOLY]

RAYMARINE
EQUIPMENT IS A TIME BOMBS

RAYMARINE ELECTRONICS
THIS EVENT IS A PUBLIC RECORD, CASE No 03-6122CI-008 KARLEEN F .
DeBLAKER, CLERK CIRCUIT COURT PINELLAS COUNTY.
MY NAME ANATOLY SVERDLIN. Yacht Decisive Victory 65, RON HOLLAND design.
WE have permanent, (for two and half years) problems with
ALL RAYMARINE, SO CALL "MARINE ELECTRONICS AND PROBABLY THOUSANDS BOATERS,
AS WELL.
SAILORS AND INSURERS TAKE GREAT RISK OF LIFES AND ESPOUSE THEMSELVES TO
INJURES, ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, UNJUST FINANCIAL LOSSES
PROBLEMS WITH RAYMARINE EQUIPMENT IS GREATER THEN FIRESTONE-FORD EVENT.
THOUSANDS OF POWER BOATS AND YACHTS PRESENTLY OPERATES WITH RAYMARINE
EQUIPMENT AS TIME BOMBS.
RAYMARINE LTD SOLD FAULTY INSTRUMENTATION AND EQUIPMENT, FALSIFYING
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, CLAIMING NON-EXISTING FEATURES OF RAYMARINE
"MARINE ELECTRONICS. ALL EQUIPMENT ON MY BOAT STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH
RAYMARINE DAS NOT HONOR AT ALL
RAYMARINE INTENTIONALLY, FOR SAKE OF MONEY, PUT AT RISK HUMAN
LIFES AT SEA.
WE HAVE PERMANENT EXHIBIT OF RAYMARINE GARBAGE, SO CALL "MARINE
ELECTRONICS, AT BAHIA MAR MARINA, PIER G- 729, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
USA.
MY PHONES 1-727-596-6658 CELL 1-281-782-8672. E-MAIL: tyrbina@tampabay.rr
SAILORS! BEWARE OF RAYMARINE INTELLIGENCE
ANATOLY SVERDLIN. PRESIDENT WPC
LTD.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

The B&G H1000 multifunction unit will display four fields at once although the display is a little small. I have had many problems with their depth unit but none at all with the multifunction. It gives repeat data of everything that you have suggested, plus many others.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

Don't knock it if you haven't tried it! There is no comparison, IMHO, between a good repeater and a second GPS. A small handheld has nothing like the functionality or visibility of a good chart table unit plus cockpit repeater.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kingfisher]

NASA Clipper GPS repeater

Shows
-COG or XTE
-SOG
-Bearing to waypoint
-Distance to waypoint
-Waypoint ID

and a highway

Another screen gives long/lat

But NASA uses NMEA, which means it can't talk directly with Raytheons Navtalk, unless you add a NMEA-module.

I find that more then enough to navigate outside.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[tome]

We have our GPS (Garmin 128) mounted in the cockpit with a feeder to an ICS Nav 6 plus at the chart table. This unit is a Navtex receiver but also functions as an instrument repeater and shows all the nav information as well as instruments (log, speed, depth, wind) on one page. It also has a moving road display if preferred.

Another advantage of the ICS unit is that it logs all readings every 15 minutes. This can be retrieved at the end of a passage, or even downloaded into a PC. Gets my vote as the most useful bit of kit I've bought for a long time.

The nav data is also fed to the DSC radio and to 2 sockets (cockpit and chart table) where I can plug in my Yeoman chart plotter.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jfkal]

Anatoly,

can youi be a bit more specific. I am using Raytheon and am generally quite happy.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

I saw a similar setup on col's sunseeker last weekend - he has 2 chartplotters but takes all his numerical data (ie not maps or radar image) from the Nav 6 where he has set it up to give him a single page of data.
Seems a very sennsible set up - I currrently take numbers from the sonar and chartplotter screens / windows but am thinking of gettign a Nav 6 and doing the same thing.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Steve Clayton]

I've recently had fitted the ICS NAV6+ in the cockpit by the companionway. Anyone sitting forward of the helm can see ships information. Chose this model because I also wanted NAVTEX. All information; position, depth, SOG, COG, waypoint information: TTG, distance, bearing, XTE, rolling road, compass bearing, etc are all readily and clearly available - highly recommend it.

Steve

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[EdEssery]

Go for Silva in preference to NASA

Alternatively use a Silva Star NMEA Repeater. These can be obtained for under £100 and are very easy to install.

It displays:
LAT/LON or
COG, SOG, DTW, BTW (the latter two only if navigating to Waypoint) or
XTE, DTW, BTW (if navigating to Waypoint)
Waypoint Closure Velocity (like VMG), DTW, BTW (if navigating to Waypoint)
TTG (if navigating to Waypoint)
Time
Battery Voltage
Distance & Bearing to MOB

They key thing is that it displays COG and SOG at all times. I believe that with a NASA Clipper Repeater this information is only displayed if the feeding GPS is set to "go to" a Waypoint or is Navigating a route.

Additionally the Silva has it's own MOB function so that you do not need to leave the cockpit to mark the position on GPS at the chart table - a significant benefit if you sail two up as you don't need to take your eye off the person in the water for so long. They also have an in built voltmeter and can display the voltage on the domestic DC circuit.

Mine is wired up to a Garmin 128 at the chart table and I'm very pleased with it.

Ed

MG C27 - Skybird

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

Re: Go for Silva in preference to NASA

usefull - amnymore out there?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Col]

I can confirm ICS navtex 6 + dual channel receiver. used as repeater.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: Go for Silva in preference to NASA

There is also the Plastimo Navman Repeater that will show the same as the Silva - or so it shows in the brochure.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip