Article by Pat Schrawder
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY COMES TO THE MARINE INDUSTRY
A few years ago the marine electronics industry started using the same technological advancements as the personal computer field. We saw GPS and plotter units designed with some very sophisticated software. This season we have pointed out that the touch screen display craze is upon us and many of them are using the tap, pinch and expand moves to manipulate the screen just like our smartphones and iPad. We pointed out that the presence of a rotary knob and a keypad are still warranted for faster operation of some functions.
Now we see the expansion of wireless technology starting to appear more and more in marine units.
We talked about this a little last year when we reviewed the Tick Tack line of wireless instruments. They make a true wireless system where the power to the unit is sometimes provided by solar energy. In its simplest form you have a sensor like a wind vane powered by solar energy that communicates wirelessly with a display that is also solar powered. There are a variety of other instruments such as depth finders and speed instruments, that for whatever reason, have made their home only in the sailboat market, but wireless technology is beginning to show up everywhere in the marine field. GPS/plotter units are advertised as having the ability to use other devices such as smart phones and iPad type units as remotes to the main unit.
Now that it is clear that wireless is here to stay, there is one main issue that needs to be understood. While all these units can and are being called “wireless”, it doesn’t always mean the same thing. To be truly wireless, all systems must have one or more built-in wireless transmitters and at least one wireless receiver.
However, many of the wireless systems require that one or more of the pieces of the system be powered by conventional 12 volt sources.
Of more importance is the method of wireless connectivity. Some units such
as the Tick Tack “talk” from unit-to-unit directly. In other cases, the system requires the use of connectivity by the Internet like applications on an iPad. Either way is fine and the point is not to recommend one over the other but, rather, to point out the difference so that you are certain of what you are buying. If your remote operation requires the use of the Internet, that is important to know since not all areas of the country have Wi-Fi available.
One thing is certain, wireless technology is here to stay and we can expect expanded use of it with more innovations. Raymarine, for one, is advertising a wireless autopilot system that includes a remote control to operate your steering and there is talk of a wireless network system where you have a main interface box that wirelessly communicates with all other items in the system. Whatever manufacturer(s) come out with the first wireless units, you can be sure that others will not be far behind.
One word of caution is due here. We are at the beginning stages of this technology for marine applications. We can expect some glitches and resulting development of the feature before it becomes commonplace. Stay tuned.
Pat and her husband, Larry are owners of L&L Marine Electronics on Golf Course Road in West Ocean City, MD.
