Marine Rated Color Touch Screen Displays Provide Weather and Engine Data in a Standalone Unit

Weather and Vessel data can be displayed on integrated color touch screens with direct compatibility for NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 protocols. Displays can be networked with shipboard equipment to provide wind speed, wind direction, heading, speed, tachometers, engine temperature, battery condition, fluid levels and much more. Full color graphics are easily customized and viewed outdoors

Brookings, OR (PRWEB) August 4, 2010

Marine and boat operators now have the ability to view weather and vessel information on a single weather-resist color display. Based on the SeaGauge line of NMEA 2000 displays, Chetco Digital Instruments is now offering direct compatibility with the Airmar PB200 and PB150 weather station instruments. The new display options allow Wind, Metrological, and GPS data from the weather station to be displayed via NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 protocols. Users can choose which information to display on each of 8 possible screen layouts and arrange the pages using a large library of graphic options.

The SeaGauge line of color displays feature direct interface to NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 protocol’s and display user defined parameters on sunlight viewable, high bright touch screens. Chetco Digital Instruments newest line of outdoor display’s utilize a water-resistant touch screen option for simple operation in harsh environments.

This compact system is ideal for smaller vessels and sailboats as well as luxury yachts, land based vehicles and buildings. “By combining a direct NMEA 2000 interface inside the color display head, we can display weather and engine data on a compact unit that fits in the palm of your hand” explains Joe Burke, CTO for Chetco Digital Instruments when referring to the G18S a 4.3” diagonal display offered by the company. “This option is being add to all our color displays including the new G32C, a 12” model” Burke added.Users can configure the units by attaching to a PC via USB link and using the company’s vDash graphical design software. Once initial setup is complete, the displays will operate standalone with power (12V or 24V) and NMEA interface.

A key feature of the system is allowing users to select from a library of graphics options when configuring display layouts. Styles include fixed and rotating compass, large and small round dial gauges, bar graphs, and multi-size text boxes in a variety of colors and backgrounds. The Open Source Themes allows customers to design their own graphics using a simple scripting protocol. The company can also assist in design of completely customized screens.

The Airmar Weather Station instruments are available in both NMEA 2000 (PB200) and NMEA 0182 (PB150) to match other onboard equipment such as chart plotters and sonar units. The weather stations provide information on Wind Speed and Direction, Barometric pressure, Outside temperature, Magnetic Heading, GPS data, Speed, Pitch, and Roll using a solid state assembly with no moving parts. Wind data is calculated by using ultrasound pulses in a small chamber and is accurate to within one degree. Eliminating moving parts increases reliability and accuracy in rough weather conditions. The weather station supports the standard NMEA 2000 PGNs for Wind Data (PGN 130306), Metrological Data (PGN 130323), Environmental Data (PGN 130312), Heading Data (PGN 127250) and more. On the NMEA 0183 side, it supports sentences $WIMWV (Wind Speed), $WIMWD (Wind Direction), $HCHDT (True Heading), $WIVWT (Transducer Measurements) and most other GPS sentences. The SeaGauge color displays can decode the selected weather station parameters and create a real-time display with out requiring a PC which was a restriction on previous systems, The SeaGauge Line of color displays are available in a variety of sizes and form factors from 4” diagonal up to 12.1” SVGA models in both flush mount bezels and completely sealed units. All displays feature bright sunlight viewable color displays and highly responsive touch screens to quickly select desired data. Besides support for Weather and GPS data, the new display options also work with engine and vessel data to provide complete monitoring of shipboard information on one color unit.

SeaGauge™ Remote Sensor unit is a standalone device that connects directly to engine senders and provides digital instrumentation for up to three engines in one unit. Functions include tachometers, fuel flow, temperatures, boost pressures, oil pressure, exhaust gas temperatures, charging voltage, amps, fuel levels, trim, and much more. SeaGauge™ Remote Sensor converts up to 16 analog signals into a single digital NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 format for broadcast to remote displays or PC over serial or USB interfaces. Built-in user defined sensor calibrations allow the unit to be used with a wide variety of existing engine combinations. In cooperation with Active Research, Inc, Chetco Digital has added the capability to bridge digital data into the NMEA 2000 protocol using the NGT-1 gateway engine.

Pricing starts at $795 for the 4” diagonal G12N display and $795 for an AIRMAR PB150 weather station base unit. Other display configurations and network options are also available.

Units can be purchased directly from Chetco Digital’s web site or Dealers can purchase through GEMECO Marine Accessories

For more information on SeaGauge™ and other Chetco Digital Instruments products, and where to buy, see our web site at http://www.chetcodigital.com, email sales(at)chetcodigital(dot)com or call 1-541 469-4783 All Chetco Digital products are “Made in Oregon, USA.”

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