Purchasing the right electronic products for your boat is important. There are a wide variety of choices and options, including fish finders, compass and radar. To help you make an informed decision, here are some things to consider.
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Compass
A compass is a device that provides direction, magnetic bearing, and orientation to your boat. It has been in use for centuries and is now incorporated into most shipboard technology Marine Electronics NZ. If you are interested in upgrading your boat with a new compass, you may be wondering what kind to buy. Fortunately, this is not as hard as it sounds.
There are three basic types of compasses. These include the flush-mount, the surface mount, and the bracket mount. Each type is used for different purposes. The flush-mount type is a device that is set in a cutout in a horizontal surface. This type is very useful for boats with limited space.
Surface-mount compasses can be hung on a vertical surface, or can be installed on a helm that doesn’t have room for a large hole. Many have adjustable sun shields to reduce glare.
Fish finder
Fish finders use sonar technology to help fishermen locate fish in the water. Sonar is a high-performance horizontal sonar system. Basically, a fish finder is a device that sends and receives signal while the boat is moving. Usually, fish finders have a screen, transducer and wires that are connected to each other.
The type of fish finder you buy depends on the kind of fishing you do. If you like ice fishing, you’ll want to find a fish finder that can be lowered down below the ice. However, if you don’t fish often, you might prefer a more portable model.
Most modern fish finders come with CHIRP technology. CHIRP is a multi-frequency sonar that uses a variety of frequencies at once. This produces a more accurate and detailed image.
Chart plotter
A chart plotter for boating is an electronic device that shows you the location of your boat in real time. It can also calculate the distance you need to travel to reach your destination. The plotter uses GPS to track your position and provides a graphic representation of the location and position of your vessel on a map.
There are various kinds of chartplotters available, and each has its own unique features. They can be found in different shapes and sizes, and are easy to use. Some come with navigational charts that are pre-loaded, while others display radar data.
Chartplotters can be handheld or mounted on the sprayhood. These small devices are ideal for sailing boats.
Many modern chartplotters are designed with large touch screen displays. This allows you to navigate your way around the water more easily. Most include a GPS receiver for accurate positioning.
Radar
A marine radar has the potential to help you get where you need to go quickly and safely. But it’s a significant investment and you’ll want to choose wisely.
The first thing you should do is figure out what you need the radar for. It can be used for navigation, tracking other boats, or a combination of both. You’ll also want to decide on a budget. Many marine radars start in the hundreds and rise up to thousands. If you’re on a tight budget, opt for a more basic model.
One of the features to look for in a modern boat radar is an automatic transmitting function. This is a useful power-saving feature for electric boats.
Other common controls include a fix/variable range marker, a bearing cursor, and a range scale.
Multifunction display (MFD)
Multifunction displays (MFDs) are avionic devices used to display aircraft functions, navigational information and other data. The device typically has a small screen, and is placed in a cockpit. Frequently used in conjunction with other primary flight displays, MFDs can display multiple pages of data.
Today’s airborne and military aerospace sectors are expanding their research efforts into new and advanced technology. This is reflected in the increasing number of portable military-grade multi-function displays. As such, multi-function displays are expected to experience growth in the near future. However, the market will face restraints, including declining defense budgets.
The multi-function display industry is segmented by system, platform, technology and applications. It includes head-up displays, head-down displays, flexible multi-function displays, portable multi-function displays, electronic flight displays and rugged multi-function displays.