Complete Integrated Electronics Suite for next to nothing.

[risctaker]

I am just nearing the completion of a awesome integrated electronics navigation, vessel information system, security and entertainment system to install on "Basket Case" The system will have the following features:

1) FOUR 17" High Res TFT LCD Displays (you can use smaller or larger ones as your space and likes dictate)
2) Latest NOAA Navigational Full Color Charts
3) AIS Real Time Overlay
4) GPS real time Overlay
5) Vessel Information System "Dashboard" including SOG, Heading, Speed, Water Depth, Water Temp, Wind Speed & Direction, etc. etc.
6) High Speed Wireless internet (free up to approx 2 miles from shore)
7) Integrated DVD Movie feed to the same displays or can be split to different monitors in different areas of the boat.
Complete PC workstation functionality including MS Office, etc.
9) NEMA0183 Data Compaitbility for Transducer & Antenna inputs.
10) Video Multiplexor & distribution feeds to pilot house, main salon, etc (as many areas as you want)
11) Home Theater quality audio output feed into your vessel's existing stero AUX-IN port for distribution throughout the boat.
12) Hand-held remote for system control anywhere on the boat.
13) The Chartplotting, AIS & GPS data can be viewed on one screen while the "dashboard" Vessel Information System can be simultaneously viewed on the second screen.
14) Vessel Security System - Monitor your boat remotely via the internet while you are at your desk at work. Monitor for intrusion, high water, freeze-up, etc. Add a live camera feed for pics of various views of the boat in real time.

I'm sure I forgot something else this system will do (wash dishes?)

ALL the above will cost me (and you if you like it) for UNDER $1,000 including the cost of some NEMA0183 transducers and antennas, etc. I'd like to see Ray Marine or Furuno match this functionality on their $7.5 to $10k +++ systems. OK, OK so to keep the cost down, I'm not using some "real" marine components, but hey shoot me. They will last long enough in the protected cabin & pilot house environment and are cheap enough so I don't have to think twice about tossing them in the garbage and upgrading to newer components when the time comes. The integrated software package that runs the whole show will be stored on an external hard drive off the boat so I can restore the system to any new hardware at any time. Anyone considering using this system on an exposed flybridge will have to take extra measures to protect the displays by enclosing them.

I currently have this system built and functioning in my home using simulated data feeds. I still have some mroe functionality to program in, but should be ready to move to the boat sometime in April.

Anyone interested in the materials list and how to accomplish the above system, i would be happy to share. While there is relatively little out of pocket cost involved for what you are getting, there is some computer fabrication and configuration work to assemble this system but I can assist with a BOM and "how to " guidance.

Steve (Risctaker)

[ready123]

Some details on the high speed wireless Internet setup interests me.
Antenna type? USB or Cat5 connector?

[prowlersfish]

Thats nice but no radar ?


and I would think getting it running would be job 1 ? but thats me

[Stripermann2]

Please post some pictures.
Thanks.

[risctaker]

Since a wireless internet signal is line-of-sight, the key to long-range (free) transmission and reception is a large antenna with a very high gain. The "Wireless Online Depot" (URL provided below) sells some very effective (if not downright ugly) long range internet antennas. If you want "pretty" then you can start spending $300 to $500 for a "marine" pretty internet antenna which will not have the performace of these units. I chose two separate antennas for my setup: a high gain "directional" antenna (to point directly at a known source of internet hot spots) and an omni-directional version which is also important cause the boat moves and swings at anchor, etc. the "Directional" one has a built-inWiFi card and various models have either a USB or Co-Ax connector. The Co-Ax units feed to a separate -re-transmitter in the boat which your PC's internal Wireless card will receive. These antennas are completely water proof and mount on an antenna staff or separate base you provide. The cost of these two antennas actually respresent almost 25% of the total cost of my complete "system" Browse the following for complete specs. Ugly but cheap and they really work.

http://stores.ebay.com/Wireless-Online- ... 4340.l2563

I will post some pics whan I replace my dead digital camera. A Radar feed is completely possible with this system as long as the unit outputs a NEMA0183 signal. I chose not to simply because I have the Simrad Dedicated radar screen already and that will sit right next to my custom system.

[k9th]

Since I also have a tri-cabin, I would like to see some photos and would be interested in a similar system.

[risctaker]

Hi Tim,

Since I am a new member to the forum, maybe you can tell me how to post pictures when I either start a new topic or reply to an on-going one. I'm sure it's simple but if you or anyone else can post some steps that would be great.

The "system" is mostly built and in my "lab" at home. I will post some pictures of the screen displays with the NOAA Charts, AIS data, etc as well as the "dashboard" for the Vessel info System. The temperatures are still not suitable for installation in my tri-cabin yet but I will work with you and anyone else that wants to build a similar system. When it is warm enough, I will haul the whole mess to "Basket Case", install it and take mucho Pix to post.

Steve

[risctaker]

Hi Tim,

Since I am a new member to the forum, maybe you can tell me how to post pictures when I either start a new topic or reply to an on-going one. I'm sure it's simple but if you or anyone else can post some steps that would be great.

The "system" is mostly built and in my "lab" at home. I will post some pictures of the screen displays with the NOAA Charts, AIS data, etc as well as the "dashboard" for the Vessel info System. The temperatures are still not suitable for installation in my tri-cabin yet but I will work with you and anyone else that wants to build a similar system. When it is warm enough, I will haul the whole mess to "Basket Case", install it and take mucho Pix to post.

Steve

[Molly Too]

Steve,

Like Paul, I'd jump all over this if you could add the radar. I'd like to know more. Please keep us informed.

Mel

[risctaker]

OK, Guys. Radar it is. Just will need some time. As long as I can get a NEMA0183 Signal out of the radar unit, I can feed it into my system. Will keep the forum in the loop.

Steve

[prowlersfish]

Steve,

Like Paul, I'd jump all over this if you could add the radar. I'd like to know more. Please keep us informed.

Mel

I am interrested just becuse But I would jump on it as I have all I need now , the only thing I would have diffrent would be radar to a furuno . But I would not trade what I have know for anything else . It works as well or better then the $12k E120 set up on the boat behind me.

[k9th]

Hi Tim,

Since I am a new member to the forum, maybe you can tell me how to post pictures when I either start a new topic or reply to an on-going one. I'm sure it's simple but if you or anyone else can post some steps that would be great.

Steve

Steve - you need to have an account at a site that lets you post photos like PhotoBucket. They have free accounts. Once you upload your photos there it is simply a matter of posting the link from the site. PhotoBucket provides the code for each photo - you just need to copy and paste it into your posting. The forum software then reads the code and retrieves the photo and displays it.

[risctaker]

Great Tim, Thanks. That's what I needed to know. Now to get a new digital camera and take some pics.

[Fishblues]

Soooo, what happens when you loose the wifi connection?

[prowlersfish]

Wi fi is kind of usless once you leave the slip