New Vessel Tracking Device Uses Existing On-board Sensor Network and AT&T’s M2X Mobile Cellular Data Service to Provide Real-time Position Reporting
Brookings, OR (PRWEB) September 12, 2015 -- Chetco Digital Instruments introduces its newest SeaSmart gateway which interfaces between a vessel’s NMEA 2000 network and most cellular data services. SeaSmart GPRS™ contains a cellular data modem and removable SIM card to allow use on most mobile networks including AT&T’s new M2X data service which offers a 10X reduction in monthly access charges. M2X (machine to cloud) is specifically designed for interfacing sensors directly to cloud services such as Chetco Digital’s HelmSmart.net data analytics web site with a monthly access fee as little as $2 per device. SeaSmart GPRS™ provides the physical link between a vessel’s NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 sensor network and cellular coverage area. On-board SD memory can store data when out of range and automatically upload to cloud services when access is restored making it ideal for any near-shore monitoring or tracking applications.
SeaSmart GPRS™ offers simplified installation by using a single NMEA 2000 node connection to instantly start transmitting hundreds of sensor measurements such as GPS position, speed, course, heading, fluid tanks, battery conditions, engine temp, air temp, wind speed, water depth, and much more. SeaSmart GPRS™ can be purchased with provisioning for AT&T service to offer zero-setup and instant transmission to the HelmSmart.net cloud service.
By leveraging cloud data access, SeaSmart GPRS™ can provide live data to many third party apps like iNavX, NMEA Remote, and AirMar’s OnSiteWX – thus allowing use both on-board and off-board. Real-time sensor data is transmitted to HelmSmart servers where apps then connect directly via virtual TCP port just the same as in on-board configurations.
In addition to app support, third party web sites like BoatLogger.com and Telemetry.com can also take advantage of the mobile tracking service. Users configure which sensor data to forward as well as the update intervals to allow full customization and site integration. A BoatLogger.com user can get automatic position updates to their logbooks and also graph sensor data such as fuel level and battery voltage in embedded datapanes. A new Sea Gauge tracker datapane even allows users to create event alarms for email and SMS alerts from any NMEA 2000 sensor onboard. “We wanted to leverage the advantages of third-party services like BoatLogger and Telemetry by providing sensor data links from our HelmSmart servers” explains Joe Burke, CTO for Chetco Digital. “Both sites provided the tools to easily integrate sensor data and thus build more powerful interfaces for their uses”, he added.
A major benefit of the new SeaSmart GPRS™ is seamless integration with Chetco Digital Instruments HelmSmart.net™ Cloud data services. Recorded data can be transferred to Cloud Servers automatically over cellular or by uploaded using a simple Browser access page where it is then instantly added to the HelmSmart database. Once in the Cloud database, customers can search and view information using a variety of analysis, display, and alert tools. Cloud data storage provides fast and reliable access to vessel data using any browser enabled device. HelmSmart.net™ display tools include mapping (MapSmart.net), Graphing (GraphSmart.net), live instruments (netGauges.net), live plotting (netGraphs.net) and multidimensional data search. The new AlertSmart™ feature allows user defined messaging to email and SMS services. With SeaSmart GPRS™, live vessel data can be streamed to HelmSmart™ cloud servers using cellular services and instantly viewed by any Browser enabled device. Hosting data on cloud servers provides continuous vessel access for many users, virtually anywhere.
SeaSmart GPRS™ is powered by the NMEA 2000 bus simplifying installation. The GPRS modem has an external antenna which can be upgraded to increase range to over 15 miles off-shore when used with a signal booster. The ability to monitor position, weather, batteries, temperature, tanks, bilges, hatches, and more, makes SeaSmart GPRS™ a complete stand alone vessel monitoring solution.
SeaSmart GPRS™ is available with just a Serial/USB/NMEA 2000 interface (Standard) or with additional 8 Switch/Status inputs (Open/Close) and 4 voltage sense inputs (PRO model). Both models support an external NMEA 0183 GPS reciever via serial port. With a footprint of only 4" X 5" X 2" and a power draw of less than 700mA, the water-resistant SeaSmart GRS™ adapter is perfect for Sail boats or other small craft that demand compact low-impact equipment.
SeaSmart GPRS™ will be featured in the IBEX 2015 Connected Boat Pavilion Booth 1043 from Sept 15 - Sept 17 a the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, KY.
For further information on HelmSmart™ visit http://www.HelmSmart.com. Guests can access the live site at http://www.HelmSmart.net and view actual sample data. SeaSmart.net products are available directly on-line at http://www.seasmart.net and http://www.digitalmarinegauges.com. SeaSmart GPRS™ pricing starts at $495 for Standard and $595 for the PRO version. HelmSmart.net access is free for first 6 months and $9.95/mth thereafter. Volume and kit pricing is available.
For more information on SeaSmart™ visit http://www.seasmart.net. For SeaGauge™, and other Chetco Digital Instruments products, and where to buy, see our web site at http://www.digitalmarinegauges.com, email sales(at)chetcodigital.com or call 541 469 4783.
JOE BURKE, CHETCO DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS, http://www.seasmart.net, +1 (541) 469-4783, [email protected]
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