Ethernet Goes Nautical

Finally, ethernet networking afloat. Furuno's NavNet offers the flexibility of networking that is commonly found in most professional office environments. NavNet provides the capability to communicate from one display to another over Furuno?s High Speed Network.

The heart of Furuno's NavNet is its Ethernet based network. Using today's technology, NavNet runs on a 10-BaseT network, which means fast data transfer between equipment. NavNet's future expansion is limitless, because Ethernet offers the option to increase speeds from 10Mb per second all the way to 1 Gigabit per second.

NavNet systems allow users to customize their marine electronics according to their needs. From a standard Radar & Chart Plotter unit, they can add on a GPS, Fish Finder and even multiple displays. When multiple displays are connected, each display can be operated as an individual product or as part of the network. With more than 50 different display modes, NavNet can display a variety of information in just about any configuration desired.

Furuno's NavNet can turn a single or dual display system into a multiple display system by simply adding an Ethernet Hub. The Hub allows the products to talk to each other and share information through a single cable. Connecting a NavNet display to an Ethernet Hub is as easy as connecting a telephone cable into the wall jack. The current network allows you to have up to four NavNet displays connected simultaneously, or add a NavNet Network Sounder with up to three NavNet displays. All of the displays connected to the network act as master units that can control any NavNet component.

The NavNet Radars are equipped with Furuno X-Band components that have been winning the National Marine Electronics Association "Best Radar" Award for more than 10 years running. They are available in a wide range of power configurations, from the 7-inch display with 2.2 kW output to the 10.4-inch display with 6 kW output.

Furuno has also implemented true color Radar in the new NavNet system. With the NavNet color systems, a Radar echo displays in varying shades of color to show the density of the target. For example, a rainstorm may display as different shades of colors, so that the user can determine where the worst part of the storm is located.

NavNet gives the user the choice of which type of cartography they want to use. They can choose from a unit that accepts both Navionics and Furuno CDC charts or another model utilizing C-MapNT mini-chart cards. All cards can be front loaded, to allow for flush mounting of the displays. The Chart Plotter features all of the popular presentation modes, such as course plot, nav data, steering and highway mode. The charts can be presented in True Motion North-up, True Motion Course-up, Relative Motion North-up and Relative Motion Course-up. In a multiple display NavNetwork, charts can be placed in all displays and accessed throughout the entire network from any other display.

To round out the NavNet product line, a powerful Network Sounder can be added. The Network Sounder is a dual-frequency (50/200kHz), 600W or 1kW RMS output that plugs directly into a NavNet display or into the Ethernet Hub with a single cable. For cruising boats, a Smart Sensor can be connected to a NavNet display to give accurate numeric depth data readings only.

NavNet also has a 12 channel GPS Receiver Antenna that can be connected to any NavNet display to give it an accurate GPS fix. If multiple units are connected, the GPS information can be accessed by any display on the network. If a GPS/Chart Plotter is all that is needed for the vessel's electronics, Furuno also offers a NavNet GPS/Chart Plotter.

NavNet Series Features Include:

• Single or Multiple Display Systems


• Ethernet 10-Base T network


• 10.4" Color LCD TFT Displays


• 7" Color LCD TFT Displays


• 7" Mono LCD TFT Displays


• 10" Mono CRT Displays


• Common user interface and control panel on all NavNet products


• Comes standard as Radar with Chart Plotter or GPS Chart Plotter


• Radar power output ranges from 2.2kW to 6kW depending on model


• Over 50 different display modes to choose from when connected with optional GPS and Network Sounder


• Choose from two units that accept either Navionics and Furuno OR C-Map NT mini chart cards


• Show Radar and Chart Plotter full screen, split screen or Chart with Radar Overlay*


• Optional NTSC/PAL interface allows for TV/VCR/DVD/PC video input (10.4" LCD only)


• Dual EBLs (Electronic Bearing Lines) and dual EVRMs (Electronic Variable Range Markers) give distance and bearing to targets


• Radar Guard Zone and Watchman features help to alert you to potential danger


• Four radar display modes: Head-up, North-up, Course-up and True Motion


• Versatile display modes for Chart Plotter: Course Plot, Alphanumeric Nav Data, Steering and Highway mode


• Store up to 8,000 points for ship's track and marks, 1,000 waypoints and 200 planned routes


• Selectable background colors, including high-contrast white (color displays only)


• Optional Dual-Frequency, 50/200 kHz Network Sounder with selectable 600W or 1kW RMS of output power


• Optional 12 Channel GPS Receiver Antenna