The latest on computer and instrument networking

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by RayThackeray, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. jurjenhoekstra
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    jurjenhoekstra New Member

    Ray,
    Have you looked at the BEP Czone NMEA2000 networking equipment (www.bepmarine.com)? I'm considering this for my 55 feet motoryacht. The step-up towards the iPAD would then be easy.
     
  2. Tim B
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    Tim B Senior Member

    I'm not sure whether I find this thread entertaining or worrying. I think it might be the latter. There is a lot of thought required if you don't want to waste a lot of time and money.

    I have been working on the OpenPilot project for some years now, and one of the intentions of the project is to provide a cross-platform kit of parts so you can create your own display as long as you have a usable data stream. So far I have worked on the basis that the incoming data stream is on the local machine, but accessing a remote stream is possible (just that the existing network comms are liable to change).

    I will not be looking at a port to iPhone/iPad until there is an established QT framework there to do it. OP uses QT extensively, and it would be silly to completely re-write it. However, at some point in the hopefully not too distant future I will be looking at a port for Android. Don't hold your breath on this one though, as I have to finish doing my house first!

    Of course, anyone is welcome to contribute!

    Tim B.
     
  3. powerabout
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    powerabout Senior Member

    what about the issue that you cant see an iphone/ipad either in the daylight and at night its too bright
     
  4. RayThackeray
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    RayThackeray Senior Member

    What issue is that? I have both devices and never had a problem. However, I wouldn't use either a tablet or a smartphone as the primary, cockpit boat management instrumentation out under direct sunlight at the equator anyway so it doesn't matter.
     
  5. Lt. Kludge
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    Lt. Kludge Junior Member

    If the intent is for one to be able to double check on what is happening. Then I don't see illumination as an issue. If there isn't some Seal Wannabe version out already there will be one soon that will dim the display.
     
  6. GAZZABO
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    GAZZABO Junior Member

    I am glad you are in hi tech as this system will take hours and days to maintain, trouble shoot and keep running-unless you are tied to a dock! Integrated is a dirty word to me. One separate depth sounder, one separate GPS. chart plotter on a notebook. Stand alone autopilot--Thats it for me all in the wheelhouse.Been the other route and nothing but trouble, but then again I am not an electronic wizz! Good luck.
     
  7. RayThackeray
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    RayThackeray Senior Member

    Wi-Fi streaming to iPhones and iPads

    Yess!! I was right! Looks like RayMarine have been listening to me: See this.

    Here's a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I2l046Zlc84. You can view all your instruments on the iPhone or iPad. F'ing brilliant! On my shopping list!

    In summary - your iPhone can be used as a repeater to see what's on the display, anywhere on the boat via Wi-Fi. You can plan trips on your iPad or iPhone and synch on the boat. Exactly what I was hoping for without having to build it myself. Sleeping in the master cabin and want to view the cockpit instrument at any time on my phone next to the bed? No problem! Up on the flybridge without having to install a whole new set of instrumentation? No problem! Apologies if I sound like a salesman for RayMarine - I have absolutely no affiliation. They haven't even sent me royalties, the buggers.
     
  8. mikakun2012
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    mikakun2012 Junior Member

  9. mikakun2012
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    mikakun2012 Junior Member

    NB: i would strongly discourage the use of wifi

    with cables you don't have to worry about

    *network security
    *your health, all those emw aren't good for you or your family
    *replacement of transceiver
     
  10. powerabout
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    powerabout Senior Member

    get a good understanding of NMEA 0183 rs422
    and then understand what you can do with rs232 that your laptop can understand
    and yes that box is to get around that problem

    I notice on some ais transponders also have the multiple outputs and can select the speed on each, so depending what you want at the laptop you might just get away the AIS outputs?
     
  11. mikakun2012
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    mikakun2012 Junior Member

    since i have discovered this multiplexer thing i don't imagine setting up my boat without one. maintenance/upgrade/flexibility+ it's waterproof and it's cheap (from 160usd).

    edit:however haven't found yet a multiplexer with multiple RS232 outputs. I see the interest of it being a rocksolid centralizer of data input and instruments to control and interfaces to read the data and control the instruments,

    but as it is available, it sounds like you can output to chart plotter, pc OR ipad; not output to chart plotter, pcs AND ipad simultaneously without using a pc as gateway which makes the system kind of centralized on the output chosen rather than the multiplexer.
     
  12. mikakun2012
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    mikakun2012 Junior Member

    needs nmea buffer plugged in the output to dispatch the data to multiple listeners
     
  13. RayThackeray
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    RayThackeray Senior Member

    The cat's out of the bag with this one. We are virtually ALL living with WiFi. And as an Electronic Engineer, I fail to see how those few milliwatts are going to do any harm.

    The benefits of WiFi on board a boat are fantastic, I'm setting up my entire system this way. Little or no data wiring, ability to view ship's main multi-function instruments in any cabin or on a flybridge on a smartphone or tablet, drastically cheaper, no need to retrofit stoopid wiring everywhere, backup to big disk drive, file, peripheral and printer sharing for the crew and internet for everyone when in signal area, etc.

    People who deny this trend are going the way of those who didn't believe in smartphones, tablets, PCs, the internet - you know - dinosaurs.
     
  14. powerabout
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    powerabout Senior Member


  15. mikakun2012
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    mikakun2012 Junior Member

    yeah i know wifi is magic & profitable, so it's everywhere now.

    like petrol, nuke plants and all those great technologies that makes our world so advanced and our environment so beautiful.

    ever heard "too good to be true" ? mobile phone, wifi, blue tooth are too good to be true. we don't know much about the functioning of the brain but we do know it is a emw transceiver.

    i don't play with what i don't understand & i respect nature & life, nature has put emw in my metabolism, there is a reason for it, until i don't know what it is wifi, mobile phone, bluetooth are switch off as much as possible & kept as far as possible.

    this is philosophy so pretty muc out of topic however if you know the mysteries of life please enlighten me !

    nb: mobile phone have been proven to damage brain tissues a long while ago, wifi will be very soon if it hasn't already
     
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