Archive for the ‘News’ Category

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• 28 August 2010
  Lowrance Endura series leads the way with new mapping software
  

  Lowrance, a leading global manufacturer of leisure navigation electronics, has entered into an exclusive agreement with Mapyx Limited to combine its Endura series of GPS devices with market leading Mapyx Quo digital mapping solution.  This agreement means that buyers of the Endura GPS devices will also receive digital mapping for the Endura and for a PC at a single purchase price, representing a significant cost saving to users.

  All Endura GPS devices for the UK and the Republic of Ireland will exclusively run Mapyx software.  This new development provides state-of-the-art Mapyx Quo PC software for route planning and map management and Mapyx Quo Mobile for the Endura GPS with comprehensive Ordnance Survey maps for the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

  Steven Wood, Chairman of Mapyx Ltd, said: “The Mapyx Quo software is the first choice for consumers and professionals alike. We have an impressive user base, which includes walkers, runners, bikers, teachers and the professional rescue services.  Our agreement with Lowrance combines best digital mapping with a market leading GPS device”. 

  Mapyx products are highly accredited being used by Mountain Rescue England & Wales and Mapyx is their Official GIS & Digital Mapping Partner.

  The Lowrance Endura series consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds: the flagship Sierra – the most powerful and complete out-of-the-box GPS experience available; the Safari – a versatile navigator for any outdoor leisure activity; and Out&Back – a unit that sets a new standard in affordability and ease of use.

  The Lowrance Endura units bring a whole new navigation experience to marine and outdoor enthusiasts, combining touch-screen functionality and quick access buttons for unprecedented ease of use.

  “The Endura units are now the most comprehensive handheld GPS devices on the market,” said George Pollard, Managing Director of Navico UK Ltd.  “We teamed together with Mapyx to provide the best solution with detailed on-board mapping, tremendous expansion capabilities and open access to community content, the Endura line is simple to use, robust and extremely versatile. It is equally suited for boating, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, backpacking and geocaching, as well as cycling, off-roading and skiing, among others.”

  All Endura devices offer a range of preloaded maps and provide a microSD expansion slot supporting up to 32GB of storage for extra mapping and pictures. 

  The popular Ordnance Survey mapping, at 1:50,000 scale, will be available on microSD cards for the whole of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, which will fit on a single SD Card.  With the addition of 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps and Aerial imagery, the Endura is the ultimate GPS package.

  All three models are fully customisable and accept many public domain files and community based content such as GPX trails and general POIs through easy drag-and-drop onto the device memory or microSD card.

  Fully waterproof to the IPX7 standard (submersible), the compact Endura series offers a comfortable grip and robust housing with rubberised armouring. The devices measure 130mm x 60mm x 31mm (H x W x D) and weigh just 165 grams without two AA batteries. The units include a high-resolution 2.7-inch (6.8cm) colour touch-screen display, mini-USB port for power and data cables, and two reinforced attachment loops. All models in the Endura line are protected by a two-year limited warranty, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

  Price & Availability:

  The Lowrance Endura Series of GPS Devices, are immediately available for purchase via Mapyx at www.mapyx.com and will soon be available in leading outdoor retailers.  Prices are extremely competitive, for example the full GB 1:50,000 Map package at RRP £399, £499 and £549 for the Out&Back, Safari and Sierra respectively (inc. VAT), which includes 8GB SD Card, full 1:50k GB Mapping, 1:250k Base Map, Digital Terrain Model, Gazetteer Search Module, Geocaching Module, Quo Mobile software and Quo Desktop digital mapping solution.

  Mapyx is the exclusive sole distributor of this market leading product in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

  For more information on the complete Endura line and compatible mapping products, visit www.lowrance.com/Endura or www.mapyx.com.

• 16 August 2010
  Veterans take up the challenge for charity at 50th Anniversary of the British Powerboat Festival
  

  Raymarine equipment will be put through its paces onboard three of Team Ring’s powerboats taking part in the British Powerboat Festival.  The five day event takes place from 25-30 August, and includes the Cowes to Torquay race, billed as the longest and toughest 180 mile round trip endurance race, and the Cowes 100, high speed open water racing over 100 miles. 

  Team Ring has developed three boats which include a 9m RIB, an 8m Ring Ranger hard boat, and a high-performance race boat, which is still under construction. Each boat has been equipped with the latest Raymarine technology, giving the navigators and drivers fast and precise data.  The C90W provides large, clear and easy-to-read multi-function display of a multitude of data from chartplotter to depth, tide and weather conditions to radar and situational awareness.  For fast and reliable comms, the Raymarine 49E ulta compact VHF provides crystal clear audio and is ideal for smaller boats and RIBs.

  Despite two of the three Team Ring crew classed as OAP’s – with their birth dates putting them over the “three scrore and ten” total in years – their experience and previous racing success makes them strong contenders for the trophies.  Throttle and Trim Man Mike Ring has competed for over twenty years, and has been successfully building powerboats since the late 1960’s.  Driver Mike Lloyd was National Champion in the 1980’s, and was the force behind the successful resurrection of the Round Britain Powerboat Race.  Youngster among the crew is navigator Andy Crabb, who at just 42, has still managed to notch up over 30 years of involvement with powerboats.

  Mike Lloyd of Team Ring Powercraft said “”The support by everyone at Raymarine has been incredible which is so important if Team Ring Powercraft is to be successful in obtaining a Class win in the internationally famous and challenging Cowes – Torquay – Cowes powerboat race this month”.

• 14 August 2010
  Icom UK, “Official Radio Communications Supplier” to Ramsgate Week 2010
  

  Icom are pleased to be continuing their sponsorship of Ramsgate Week which will be held between 16th – 22nd August this year. Icom are once again proud to be named as the “Official Radio Communications Suppliers” to the regatta which has been a feature of the town’s calendar for over 110 years. Ramsgate Week 2010 is widely recognised as the friendly regatta and the alternative to Cowes and attracts approximately 100 boats from Great Britain and the continent.

  Icom UK will be supplying the regatta with Icom marine handheld VHF radios, which will be used by the safety fleet and on shore organisers in the management of Ramsgate Week. The radios will be the primary means of communication for the race management team, race control and safety fleet. The Icom handhelds will be used by officials to oversee events both on and off the water, and will also be used to respond quickly and efficiently to any emergencies that may arise.

  Organised by the Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate Week is the third largest international regatta in the UK, featuring about 100 boats from Great Britain and overseas. For more details of this year’s event, please go to www.ramsgateweek.com

• 14 August 2010
  New Garmin Marine Sales Executive
  

  Garmin  is pleased to announce a new member of its marine sales team. Nick Meadow has taken on the UK OEM Technical Sales Executive role. It involves working with boat builders and boat importers to advise them on Garmin products and marine network solutions.

  Nick joined Garmin in 2005 working in Product Support. His last role was Marine Product Support Supervisor, answering technical queries and giving advice to distributors, end users and OEMS (including Fairline and Sunseeker) on their installations.

  UK OEM Technical Sales Executive, Nick Meadow, says “I believe my experience of dealing with a wide range of customers including major OEMs can help me communicate Garmin’s ability to supply cutting edge bespoke network solutions for applications both in the power boat and sailing boat sectors. I’m very excited about my new role and am looking forward to getting out there and showing off what Garmin can offer.”

  Nick has always had a passion for sailing. He competed in Dinghy’s from the age of 8 and sailed internationally from the age of 15 coming 3rd and 4th in the Mirror Dinghy World and European Championship respectively. Now he regularly sails in the Farr 45 fleet mainly based in the Solent, recently competed in Cowes Week, Cork Week and the Commodores Cup hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron onboard the GBR White Big Boat.

• 12 August 2010
  Win a Yamaha Outboard Prize Package
  

  To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yamaha’s first ever outboard, the quest is on to find the country’s oldest, greatest, strangest and most interesting outboard engines. Running until 1st September 2010, it is set to be the most inclusive and entertaining exploration of the nation’s engine treasures ever held. There are some fantastic prizes to be won for the best outboards including a new outboard for one lucky winner.

  With eight varied categories and a free pair of tickets to the  PSP Southampton Boat Show for the first 250 people to enter, it’s very easy (and very  worthwhile) getting involved. All you need is a privately owned outboard engine. It doesn’t  matter what make it is, what horsepower it is or even how old or rare it  is. All that matters is that you can provide us with a photograph and  some basic details.

  From these eight winners, one overall winner will be selected by  the judging panel as the most remarkable find of the entire UK Engine  Quest. The owner of that winning engine will receive the top prize of a  Yamaha outboard of equivalent horsepower. Prizes will be presented at  the 2010 PSP Southampton Boat Show in September, where the champion  engine will be proudly displayed.

  Get involved today, enter your engine here (insert link http://www.sportsboat.co.uk/engine-quest)

• 10 August 2010
  Vote for your Favourite BMEA Dealer and Product of the Year!
  

  To make your vote for your BMEA Waterside Dealer of the Year and BMEA Product of the Year simply go to http://www.bmea.org/dealer-and-product-of-the-year-2010/ and make your vote.

  The winning companies will be announced at the 2010 British Marine Electronics Association Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel.

• 6 August 2010
  Raymarine showcases its family of products at the PSP Southampton International Boat Show
  

  Raymarine will be showcasing its full range of marine electronic products on Stand G088 at the PSP Southampton International Boat Show this September.

  Raymarine’s latest range of multifunction displays include the highly popular E Series Widescreen, which has received worldwide approval for design, HybridTouch technology and easy-to-use interface. Also on show will be the C Series Widescreen, offering everything consumers have come to love about Raymarine chartplotters in a widescreen format. Raymarine’s smallest Chartplotter, the A Series is now available as a chartplotter and chartplotter/fishfinder combination in the A50, A57 and A70. For larger boats the G Series and Glass Bridge System offer large displays and Raymarine’s most powerful processors to deliver the best performance possible.

  Digital radar technology now makes it even easier to use and see details at a glance with colour screens, and Raymarine has both Digital Radomes and HD Digital Radomes, which are designed for boats that need a radar to run on minimal power and which have limited mounting space. Raymarine’s range of open array radars are available in HD Digital Radar and Super HD Digital Radar, offering enhanced performance and improved range for larger yachts.

  The ST70 Plus is Raymarine‘s top of the range instrument and pilot display system.  Featuring large, high visibility LCD images, ST70 Plus offers a new way of displaying and managing data, and is the perfect partner for Raymarine’s multifunction display systems.  The ST70 Plus can be configured as an instrument or autopilot display.  

  Managed via a dedicated remote control keypad, the 6.5 inch (164 mm) screen is fully customisable with multiple options for screen set up, colour palette and offers remarkable quality day and night viewing. 

  The AIS500 and AIS250 will both be on display at the show.  The AIS500 transceiver allows users to both transmit to, and receive, AIS data to and from vessels in the area, as well as to shore-based traffic centres. The AIS250 receiver allows users to see the position of other vessels in the area, as well as full vessel information. The receiver is able to monitor both Class A and B transmissions at the same time over VHF frequencies.

  Raymarine’s range of VHF communication products mean that no matter where you venture you will never be out of reach. If safety products are needed Raymarine’s Cam 50 and Cam100 cameras provide clear visuals of vital areas such as the bow, aft, engine room, or swim platforms.  The images can be displayed anywhere on the boat, using Raymarine’s multifunction displays.  The Raymarine Lifetag Man Overboard System enables quick location and recovery in a man overboard situation, meaning that on a yacht or high speed powerboat, anyone falling overboard will be quickly noticed, located and recovered. 

  Anyone wanting to learn more about the latest on board technology will be pleased to know Raymarine can offer help and advice.  The company will be launching its new series of training courses for electronic navigation at the show.  The courses, organised by Raymarine and held across the UK, have proved extremely popular and have led to customer requests for further dates and locations to be organised.  Full details of the courses planned for 2010/2011 will be available at Southampton Boat Show.

• 5 August 2010
  NMEA 2000 Workshop, 23 September 2010, Canterbury, Kent (11:00 – 16:00)
  

  The University of Kent, in partnership with British Marine Federation, is offering the NMEA 2000 workshop on 23 September 2010 in Canterbury, Kent.  The course will cover the following::

  NMEA 2000® Characteristics:

  • History
  • Certification Levels
  • Relationship to International Standards

  Physical Layer:

  • Cabling and Connectors
  • Termination
  • Power Supply
  • Grounding the Network
  • Network Size
  • General Topology

  Key Components of Network

  Installation Issues:

  • Network Planning
  • Power Distribution

  Certification of NMEA 2000 Products

  How does Can Work

  • CAN vs Ethernet

  Fees: £150.00

  For further information, please contact Ms Catherine Butler, SEDA, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent. E-Mail: c.r.butler@kent.ac.uk.

• 30 July 2010
  Looking Forward to the BMEA Conference Day 2010, Sponsored By Victron Energy
  

  The prestigious 2010 British Marine Electronics Association Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel. The annual event provides an opportunity for all sides of the marine industry to get together not only to discuss topics of mutual interest but also to create and build beneficial business relationships.

  

  Introduced by Paul Holland, BMEA Chairman, the Conference will include a number of presentations by distinguished speakers. Among the subjects that will be covered are; ‘Preparation for Bluewater Sailing’ by Jeremy Wyatt (World Cruising Club), ‘The History of Electronic Cartography and its Future’ by Giuseppi Carnevali (Navionics), ‘Digital Radar Processing and the New Low Power Radars’ by Odin Sletten (Navico UK Ltd), and ‘An update on the London Boatshow’ by Andy Williams (National Boat Shows Ltd). Professor W J Mullarkey (db Research Ltd) and a representative from QuinetiQ will also be making presentations discussing the digital processing of today’s radar signals.

  After a full day of conferencing followed by the Annual General Meeting, there will be the Annual Dinner which will see four major awards announced:

  • BMEA Waterside Dealer of the Year Award sponsored by Garmin UK Ltd
  • BMEA Product of the Year Award sponsored by Boating Business
  • BMEA Newly Certificated Technician of the Year Award sponsored by Raymarine UK Ltd
  • BMEA Lifetime Achievement Award

  Ian Lockyer (BMEA Marketing) said, ’From 8th August 2010, our customers will again have the opportunity to choose the ‘Industry’s Dealer’ and ‘Product of the Year’ by simply going to http://www.bmea.org/dealer-and-product-of-the-year-2010/ and voting.  The ‘BMEA Newly Certificated Technician of the Year Award’ will be chosen from a shortlist of newly certificated engineers across the industry. The ‘BMEA Lifetime Achievement Award’ is a new award which will be given annually to someone who we feel has contributed to our extremely vibrant and fast developing industry.’

  The Conference is open to all in the marine industry – and is free for up to 2 delegates from BMEA member companies; additional delegates, and non-BMEA members will be charged £59 per person – to include entrance to all the presentations, coffee, lunch and dinner.

  Any non-BMEA member interested in attending should contact Tony Johns, Secretary of the BMEA by email secretary@bmea.org.

• 30 July 2010
  Scanstrut launches NEW Multi Deck Seal
  

  With the sailing season in full swing, Scanstrut Ltd, the international leader in the design and manufacture of installation solutions for marine electronics, has the perfect sailing accessory for anyone planning boat maintenance through the summer months, with the launch of its new Multi Deck Seal.

  Deck Seals are designed to enable easy installation of electronics on board, providing a neat and stylish way of passing cables through the decks. The Multi Deck Seal is the latest addition to Scanstrut’s existing Deck Seal range, which launched earlier this year and has passed stringent IPX6 and IPX7 tests to ensure protection from water ingress, even during extreme weather conditions and heavy seas.

  The durable Multi Deck Seal has been designed to fit multiple cables up to 15mm in diameter and is designed to save space and installation time.

  Unlike Scanstrut’s current Deck Seal range, the new Multi Deck Seal comes un-drilled to ensure a selection of cables can be fitted. The installation process is simple and reliable, requiring a small hole to be drilled through the seal.

  Manufactured using marine grade aluminium with a hard finish to resist impact marks, the Multi Deck Seal unit has a waterproof base seal and an aesthetic low profile to prevent those on board from stubbing their toes.

  The current Deck Seal range are available in marine grade 316 stainless steel or durable glass filled Nylon. Additional features include waterproof cable routing, an aesthetic dome shape, an outer dome to provide an additional water seal and the option for waterproof installation without removing the connector.

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