pc-based navigation ideas

External Since: Feb 03, 2008 Posts: 1

I have a 48' CnC Landfall. I'm looking for ideas on PC-based
navigation components. Currently, I have two laptops running Maptech
Offshore Navigator, both of which are configured to use a Serial-USB
converter and a handheld GPS. I also already have installed Raymarine
ST60+ wind/speed/depth instruments.

I am hoping to get suggestions on the following:

o an autopilot - interfaced to the pc for waypoint creation and
control
o a radar - interfaced to the pc for MARPA target overlay on top of
charts
o ways to integrate GPS and other NMEA data onto a 2nd pc mounted
elsewhere in the boat
o a ruggedized, daylight display either
a) mirroring the pc display which in turn is controlled by a
wireless trackball, or
b) an ultra mobile or pocket pc which can by itself diplay NMEA
data and drive the autopilot

Just wondering if anyone else has set up a system remotely like these
items. I've heard both good & bad about the panasonic toughbook which
mirrors a pc screen, but cannot verify the source. I have no input on
the ultra mobile pc nor pocket pc idea.

Another idea which occurs to me is to simply buy an autopilot which
has it's own wireless control, and then just use a Garmin GPSMap 76 as
the handheld. It won't display the wind/speed/depth, but then again,
it's simple and portable to the dingy.

Has anyone used the MARPA target data overlay on top of charts
feature? I've seen how this is done in the all-in-one products, but
haven't seen it on a PC program. How does this work? Does the radar
itself prune echos from land masses? In layman's terms, how does the
radar select an echo to be a MARPA target?

Many thanks...

External Since: Feb 03, 2008 Posts: 1

I'm doing some of this with a Brookhouse multiplexer. I use a Garmin
GPSMap76 as the handheld, through the mux it becomes a single USB connection
to the PC with all the data and drives the autopilot. I also put in a switch
to drive the AP directly from the GPS - lets me take out the PC and save
power for long runs offshore etc. after I download my routes and waypoints.
It also displays the Seatalk data on my PC.

MARPA would be nice, but the only one for PC I know of is Nobeltec. I think
I'd go for AIS instead - I also connected a basic JRC radar which shows
waypoints and speed etc. from the mux.

I'd be interested in a wireless repeater setup like you describe, probably
to some handheld device. Hopefully someone else on here has some ideas?

Cheers
<google RemoveThis @cognisense.com> wrote in message
news:d8bb1621-c5c1-4757-8101-ccae1e9fb3b8@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>I have a 48' CnC Landfall. I'm looking for ideas on PC-based
> navigation components. Currently, I have two laptops running Maptech
> Offshore Navigator, both of which are configured to use a Serial-USB
> converter and a handheld GPS. I also already have installed Raymarine
> ST60+ wind/speed/depth instruments.
>
> I am hoping to get suggestions on the following:
>
> o an autopilot - interfaced to the pc for waypoint creation and
> control
> o a radar - interfaced to the pc for MARPA target overlay on top of
> charts
> o ways to integrate GPS and other NMEA data onto a 2nd pc mounted
> elsewhere in the boat
> o a ruggedized, daylight display either
> a) mirroring the pc display which in turn is controlled by a
> wireless trackball, or
> b) an ultra mobile or pocket pc which can by itself diplay NMEA
> data and drive the autopilot
>
> Just wondering if anyone else has set up a system remotely like these
> items. I've heard both good & bad about the panasonic toughbook which
> mirrors a pc screen, but cannot verify the source. I have no input on
> the ultra mobile pc nor pocket pc idea.
>
> Another idea which occurs to me is to simply buy an autopilot which
> has it's own wireless control, and then just use a Garmin GPSMap 76 as
> the handheld. It won't display the wind/speed/depth, but then again,
> it's simple and portable to the dingy.
>
> Has anyone used the MARPA target data overlay on top of charts
> feature? I've seen how this is done in the all-in-one products, but
> haven't seen it on a PC program. How does this work? Does the radar
> itself prune echos from land masses? In layman's terms, how does the
> radar select an echo to be a MARPA target?
>
> Many thanks...