We use a small format HP Pavilion with Coastal Explorer and Vista 64 on Penny Lane.* We have a prexeisting Furuno radar at the lower helm on its own screen.
We have a small Furuno 7000F fishfinder/depth/plotter on the flybridge.* We also have an AIS receiver and a handheld Simrad AP21 plug in autopilot that can be used at either station and switched to*be driven by*either the PC or the small Furuno unit.* There are backups for much of this including hand held GPS, and the ancient but still working Tridata for Depth.
How it all works.
There are two*serial cables*at each helm that hook the (1) depth, GPS, autopilot and (2)AIS to the computer. Since the Furuno likes the in and out on different ports, we also have a serial cable that connects the computer directly to the Furuno.* We use this to upload routes and waypoints into the smaller unit as a back up.
Step one is to lay out a route on the PC in Coastal Explorer, we then copy that route into the Furuno (takes a minute or two.)
Step two. Inside? or, Outside?*If outside, with clear visibility, may just use the Furuno with or without the auto pilot.* The Furuno screen is too small for the AIS data and the radar is only at the lower station.* But, all else works and the autopilot does a great job preventing the skipper from wandering where the SF Bay currents would take him.
If the PC is desired for its larger display, more info or just the AIS, it can be connected at either station via a two port serial to USB converter. This converter uses a chipset provided by FTDI, the name on the cover is immaterial.* This is critical.* Converters based on Prolific chips will crash and crash often. Set up takes about five minutes.
I have a sun shield for using the PC on the flybridge as I have never found an affordable daylight viewable screen.
It really is all second nature after the first few setups.* But, it does beg the question, why bother?* For me, the answer is that I am much more comfortable with PC technology.* I find it affordable, cheap to upgrade or replace, etc compared to two 13" displays.* I like setting up routes anywhere on the PC and then bringing them to the boat for a quick upload.* I like the redundacy of having a backup PC, back up GPS, etc. that was free for the asking. There's a lot of leftover laptops out there. Finally, I really like Coastal Explorer.* It does all I could ask and the US charts are free.
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cheers,
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-- Edited by Penny Lane on Friday 22nd of July 2011 02:59:42 PM