Article by Pat Schrawder
FURUNO OFFERS WEATHER AID WITH BACKUP GPS
Perhaps it’s because Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the East Coast or maybe I’m just infatuated with weather these days, but I’ve been looking at the various weather-related items available for boats. I’ve concluded that Furuno’s PB150 is one of the best values for the money and for its ease of installation and maintenance. Gone are those rotating cups on the exposed anemometers and that plastic wind direction “tail” that so often breaks or flies off.
The PB150 measures true wind speed and direction without any moving parts giving continuous operation in even adverse conditions with the use of ultrasonics.
Here are some of the other readings it provides:
• Apparent wind speed (0-80 knots)and direction
• Barometric pressure with accuracy of +/- 20 mbar
• Air temperature
• Wind chill temperature
• Wind calibration traceable to NIST
• Pitch and roll
Not only does the PB150 provide those readings, it also contains a two-axis solid state compass and an internal WAAS GPS. With its standard NMEA 0183 output, that provides you with a backup GPS antenna. This whole package weighs a mere .6 lbs., and is very easy to install. You just mount it on a standard 1” mount and run the single cable to your display. That display could be your plotter screen or your computer. Furuno’s RD 33 4.3” daylight viewable color LCD remote display makes a perfect duo.
The PB150 offers WeatherCaster™ PC Software (available for download from ww.airmartechnology.com) that has multiple screen views and advanced setup features to customize what you want to see, including weather history graphs stored for up to 72 hours. Using the PB150, you can anticipate weather fronts by checking the wind speed and direction, temperature and barometric pressure.
Since the PB150 is a “live” signal, you can monitor up-to-the-minute weather conditions on your boat. You might even predict where and when the fish will bite best, based on wind conditions and a rising or falling barometer. When it comes to docking your boat, the true wind date can provide valuable information to assist you.
The PB150 retails at $995 and is normally discounted. If you are looking for that perfect gift for the boat lover in your family who has everything, this just might be the ticket.
Pat and her husband, Larry are owners of L&L Marine Electronics on Golf Course Road in West Ocean City, MD.
