Keep up with the latest electronic products for sailboats
From navigation lights to autopilot, and radar technology, electronic products for sailboats keep advancing. Here are five new ones worth checking out.
BRIGHTWind: Combination Ultrasonic Wind Sensor and LED Navigation Light
Weems & Plath Introduces BRIGHTWind, described as the world’s first combination Ultrasonic Wind Sensor and LED Navigation Light, combining the functionality of Weems & Plath’s OGM LED Navigation Light with the accuracy of Calypso Instruments’ non-mechanical anemometer. This unique product combines an ultrasonic wind sensor and LED TriColor/LED anchor light combination in a single masthead-mountable unit. It is designed exclusively for sailors seeking ultimate simplicity, safety, and precision on the water. BRIGHTWind will provide wind speed and direction data to any NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 display, reducing the footprint that’s required to mount these two vital pieces of equipment and consolidating the wiring within the mast.
BRIGHTWind has no bearings or mechanical parts which typically wear out over time and can degrade performance. This non-mechanical operation makes it perfectly suited for long-term, outdoor use in all conditions. In place of mechanical parts, the wind sensor uses four ultrasonic transducers that measure how fast it takes for sound waves to travel back and forth between each transducer. The speed with which the sound waves travel is used by the sensor to determine the wind speed and direction. BRIGHTWind’s anemometer can measure up to 100 mph and provide full directional data with accurate measurements not subject to mechanical friction. weems-plath.com/brightwind, $1600
Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro Combination Navigation System
Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro combines chartplotter, sonar, radar, autopilot, and video into a powerful all-in-one navigation system. With Axiom 2 Pro, you can navigate smarter and expand your system, thanks to the intuitive LightHouse operating system. Plan your next trip and get underway confidently with Axiom 2 Pro’s HybridTouch—a simple touchscreen and keypad interface. Axiom 2 Pro S chartplotters feature built-in single channel High CHIRP sonar, the ideal sonar solution for reliable depth sounding and underwater exploration.
Features include HydroTough nano-coating that repels water for reliable touchscreen control and superior sunlight visibility, and a fast six-core processor. Confident HybridTouch control is enhanced with an interchangeable autopilot keypad or user-programable soft keys. Its integrated High CHIRP sonar is available with transom, in-hull, and low-profile through-hull CPT-S series transducer options. Also, stay entertained with streaming apps and Axiom 2 Pro’s HDMI and audio output for remote displays and marine entertainment systems. raymarine.com, $2800
EV-100 Wheel Sail Autopilot from Raymarine
Advanced aerospace guidance technology gives the EV-100 a new level of autopilot accuracy for sailboats. The EV-100 Wheel Sail is designed for sailboats with pedestal-mounted wheel steering. The Wheel Drive is easy to install and fits most types of wheels with a clean fully enclosed design and a robust clutch engagement mechanism. It’s Smart Rudder Sense eliminates the need for a rudder reference transducer.
Raymarine combines its autopilot expertise with aerospace guidance technology to eliminate the need for a setup compass swing or calibration, so that the EV-100 doesn’t need to be adjusted to the boat in which it is installed. This innovative breakthrough in autopilot intelligence uses control algorithms that give these autopilots the ability to perceive their environment and instantly calculate and evolve steering commands for maximum performance. This results in precise course-keeping regardless of vessel speed or sea conditions.
The heart of the evolution system is the ultra-compact EV Sensor core, a nine-axis heading sensor, and full function course computer that monitors pitch, yaw, roll, and heading. Warranty: three years (with product registration). raymarine.com, $1800
Garmin Fantom 18-inch Dome Radar with Motionscope Technology
Garmin’s Fantom Pulse Compression Radar uses the Doppler effect to highlight fast-moving targets. This 18-inch dome radar highlights moving targets in color and fully integrates with select Garmin chartplotters. MotionScope technology shows targets in color as they move toward you or away from you. With 40 watts of power, it provides high resolution without wasting energy, thanks to pulse compression. The user can see targets clearly and adjust their sizes as needed.
This solid-state radar has a range from 20 feet to 48 nautical miles, even in fog or rain. It offers rotation speeds of 24 RPM for reduced power consumption and 48 RPM for fast screen updates. Its 5.2-degree horizontal beamwidth provides a high-resolution image and high antenna gain to pick out targets at a distance, while eight-bit true color imagery enhances target separation. Its MotionScope technology detects moving targets and highlights them in different colors so that you can navigate around other boats or severe weather or toward fishing spots where birds feed at the surface. This radar is intuitive; it doesn’t have any complex user settings to deal with, so it’s easy to install and start using. garmin.com, $2000
B&G Zeus S 7 Chartplotter with C-MAP Cartography and H5000 Chartplotter
Zeus S is B&G’s most intuitive chartplotter for sailing yet. It comes with new and unique sailing modes with preset dashboards and data for your situation, along with many enhanced sailing features for a simpler sailing experience, all of which is backed up by clear and accurate C-MAP charting options for the safest and easiest navigation. B&G’s H5000 chartplotter has a five-inch, sunlight-viewable color display with a straightforward user interface. It features extremely wide viewing angles while displaying the sailing data in digital or graphical form. Designed for sailing, it is packed with features, including SailSteer, Start Line, WindPlot, Laylines, MOB, and more.
Zeus S is designed to be the heart of your sailing system. With built-in Wi-Fi, ethernet, and NMEA 2000, it’s easy to connect to autopilots, radar, instruments, and sensors including wind, depth, speed, GPS, and compass. Zeus S makes data easy to read and even easier to digest. The interface is designed to feel familiar with a new Setup Wizard to get you started and helpful feature tips to guide you along the way. Get software updates, on- and off-the-water trip planning, and the same clear, accurate chart displays across your Zeus S, app, and web. bandg.com, $1000 - $2500
by Capt. Michael L. Martel
