Monday 07 April 2008 – With developments in technology moving fast, these enhancements are being implemented into new ranges of marine electronic products available from leading marine equipment manufacturers such as Raymarine. The benefits of the new technology means easy to use, fully integrated equipment with enhanced safety features, but for many users, keeping up to date with the new features available can be difficult.
Raymarine is helping keep users up to speed with product developments and changing technology by offering free product knowledge roadshows at a number of key locations around the country.
One of the key items of interest at the roadshows is AIS, which stands for Automatic Identification System. AIS technology enables the voiceless exchange of navigation information between any vessel or shore station equipped with AIS receivers over VHF. Already highlighted as a key safety product, it enables both shore stations and other vessels to identify the vessel name, MMSI number, radio call sign, type of ship and cargo identity, as well as dynamic information such as course, speed, rate of turn and heading. Raymarine’s AIS250 integrates with VHF and DSC radios and navigation systems on board, thus enabling boaters to easily incorporate this new technology into existing products.
Integration is the new watchword for marine electronics, and Raymarine’s new E and C series multifunction displays illustrate how modern electronics systems work through a single network which can then be displayed as required around the vessel. For many boaters used to having stand alone equipment – such as instruments, autopilots and chartplotters - the ability to see all data received on a single screen makes it not only safer but quicker when sailing and navigating. And for those whose vessel size or needs are focussed on a stand alone product, Raymarine’s A series offers compact entry level products which utilise the latest digital technology and colour screens.
Other new systems on show at the Raymarine’s roadshow include the new ST70 single head instruments. Unlike traditional instruments which required a stand alone display for each function, the new ST70 enables all data to be selected and displayed in a variety of formats.
Famous for its autopilot technology, Raymarine has recently introduced new innovations into the design and software for its autopilot ranges. These systems have been completely redesigned to offer the highest accuracy, reliability and useful features required from an autopilot, all fully aligned to meet user needs, bringing innovation and ease of use to everyday boaters.
For many autopilot users, understanding what the gyro does and which gyro to specify is critical, and the Raymarine roadshow helps guide boaters through the key choices. Users will also learn about Raymarine’s Advanced Steering Technology (AST), which intelligently monitors the yaw of the vessel and actually anticipates course changes as well as ensuring razor sharp course keeping, and the AutoLearn function which enables the pilot to automatically understand the vessel’s steering characteristics, simplifying calibration and allowing the vessel to constantly adapt to changing sea conditions.
Other new product developments of key interest include Raymarine’s HD Digital Radar. By using Digital Signal Processing, which processes 16,000 levels of data digitally, Raymarine has significantly improved target detection, and virtually eliminated all unwanted noise and clutter. Images are shown in colour and with more clarity, making it easier to see targets even if very small – such as pilings or a jetty - or in poor weather. Understanding how to interpret images shown on the new HD radar systems has proved useful even for experienced radar users.
For further information contact Chloe Bartle UK Marketing Coordinator, +44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395 or chloe.bartle@raymarine.com or Eloise Jakeman at ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1460 241641 or Fax +44 (0)1460 242719 or by email at eloise@adpr.co.uk.
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April 2008 (RM501)
