Of the 21 categories of marine electronics that make up our annual Best & Brightest product lineup, Monitoring & Control equipment is the fastest growing. We sort the many products into four subcategories: multifunction, engine/electrical/fuel, safety and survival. This week we describe six extraordinary pieces of electronics in the multifunction group that enable boaters to keep track of and control an array of electrical, mechanical and other equipment and systems. Next week, we’ll tell you about another six.
The Best & Brightest lineup is part of an exercise we do every year at Marine Electronics Journal. We ask manufacturers to name the one model in a particular category of boating electronics—from autopilots and electronic charts to fishfinders and radars—that they consider to be their best. It’s not necessarily the most technically advanced or newest or the one with the most whistles and buzzers, but rather the model they rate highest in that category for one reason or another. Could be the functions and features it offers, or maybe it breaks new ground in maximizing effectiveness or utility, or maybe it’s the most popular as measured by sales to boaters. In some cases it has proved itself over the years as the go-to device.
Last week we rolled out the Best & Brightest satellite and GPS compasses.
Airmar’s NMEA 2000-certified Smart-Boat system is the easiest, most cost-effective method of integrating existing sensor data with upgraded electronics. It’s a highly scalable and easily con-figured management solution for all marine-sensor protocols and network types.
Multiple analog sensors, such as thermistors, resistive senders, binary switches, relays, run detectors and more connect directly to SmartBoat modules regardless of their protocols. Their data is then converted and communicated via the vessel’s NMEA 2000 network to the MFDs without expensive, sensor-specific translation modules or replacement sensors.
SmartBoat also enables configuration and control of the devices via a simple built-in, browser-based tool. Each device can be programmed to deliver specific PGNs and alerts, or to initiate automated processes such as pumping from one tank to another based on tank levels.
Get the integrated boat experience with Garmin Boat Switch. This all-in-one digital switching solution lets you operate up to 20 circuits from your compatible GPSMAP or ECHOMAP chartplotter instead of using physical buttons or switches. It offers four different switch types, including on/off for bilge pumps and nav lights, press-and-hold dimmers for cabin lights, momentary outputs for horns and timers to circulate your livewell pumps. Plus, it provides built-in tank sender detection and calibration for as many as four tanks, including fuel, water and graywater. It installs without special tools and allows you to easily add and name switches on your chartplotter display.
The Böning AHD-CPG (Chart Plotter Gateway) system is professional-grade and can monitor a wide variety of systems, like engines, generators, bilges, tanks, and nav lights, from one location. And with the AHD-CPG, you can see all information right on your chartplotter display. The device makes it easy to integrate the Böning Monitoring Alarm and Control System with your MFD. It’s compatible with the most popular brands, like Garmin, Raymarine and Furuno. You can create custom graphics for your vessel with incredible resolution. All graphs, gauges, and buttons are tailor-made for your specific needs. Whether you’re monitoring fuel consumption or just keeping an eye on your battery levels, the Böning AHD-CPG makes it easy and safe!
Modern vessels are becoming increasingly networked with onboard systems linked together. Routers like Wave WiFi’s new dual-band Marine Network Controller, the MNC1250, distribute fast, reliable internet onboard. Universal SIM slots provide access to cellular data. Onboard routers and yacht APs (access points) keep all areas of the vessel connected even when carbon fiber or steel construction limit propagation. New features like Multi-Active WAN allow individual users/devices to be set to a specific working internet source. For example, onboard cameras can be dedicated to a cellular source for constant surveillance. Wave systems help boaters simplify onboard networking systems by providing consistent internet access throughout the vessel. Wave WiFi’s proprietary GUI (Graphic User Interface) makes it easy to set up and operate all their hardware.
Raymarine YachtSense is an advanced digital control system affording total command and complete awareness of a vessel’s electrical systems. The modular nature of the YachtSense system redefines the future of vessel automation for boat builders and technical installers. YachtSense employs a unique, modular architecture that allows boat builders the freedom to design and standardize digital control solutions that are scalable across their entire model range. Each YachtSense system begins with the YachtSense Master Module and Power Supply Module and is completed with a combination of additional multichannel signal modules. These individual modules interface with specific types of onboard devices and systems, from lighting, pumps, windlass, swim platforms and entertainment systems to climate control, generators, and other on-vessel mechanical systems.
CZone Touch 10 Generation 2 is the gateway to your CZone Digital Switching. The state-of-the-art CZone Touch 10 Generation 2 is a sleek touchscreen with glass dash styling that will complement the interior of any high-end vessel. Touch 10 Generation 2 has a powerful dual-core processer and easy-to-use, intuitive CZone 2.0 user interface with customizable favorites pages, simple controls and easy-to-follow menu structure.