Redmond, WA, – Rose Point Navigation Systems has released a new line of digital radar products that can be used with the company’s Coastal Explorer and Rose Point ECS navigation systems. The new radar units range in size from a small footprint 4 KW dome to a 25 KW open array.
PC based radar has many benefits over traditional radar. Many users install the software at a primary navigation station and then clone the screen on a separate, sometimes exterior, screen at a second helm station. “There’s nothing quite as nice as having a large sunlight readable screen at the helm” said Jeff Hummel, Director of Sales and Marketing at Rose Point. “The low cost of large waterproof screens has made this possible at a fraction of the expense of dedicated systems. Boaters like to have all of their information on a single screen to save space. Since they have chosen PC based navigation over a plotter, it is only natural that they would desire radar overlay as a key part of their system.”
Radar Overlay
Radar overlay combines the two most powerful navigation techniques available; a GPS based chart plotter and Radar Navigation. Users quickly and easily gain better situational awareness and increased navigational confidence by correlating radar images representing buoys, AIS targets, aids to navigation, and land features with their real world position on a chart.
Users can easily identify position and/or heading errors by comparing the radar overlaid image with the chart. Users can choose from a variety of radar display options to suit their needs. The radar image can be displayed semi-transparently on top of the chart, or it can be displayed in a split window with or without a chart background. Radar controls for typical settings like gain, range and sea state (STC) are accessed through buttons available in Cruise Mode. The software includes traditional radar features like Variable Range Markers (VRM), Electronic Bearing Lines (EBL), and Guard Zones, which are optionally displayed on the screen.
Coastal Explorer and Rose Point ECS also support radar in a stand alone window. “Boaters often ask if they can view a traditional, old style, radar screen using a separate display connected to the computer.” Said Hummel. “This feature is supported, provided that the computer has a dual screen output.”
Easy Setup
The Rose Point Radar has been under development for more than a year in close partnership with Koden America. Rose Point worked with the manufacturer to make small but significant changes to the protocol used by the radar transceivers to communicate with the PC. This has resulted in simplified installation and setup as well as increased reliability of the overall system. “We wanted a true plug-n-play solution,” said Hummel. “The previous configuration used by others was more difficult to setup and use. Now connecting the radar can be done in seconds. Many marine electronics installers, and end users, are unfamiliar with setting up networks or dealing with IP addresses; we’ve eliminated this necessity and made it easier than ever.”
Rose Point’s Software Implementation
Rose Point Radar systems purchased from Rose Point or an authorized dealer, as well as Rose Point ECS, include the radar add-on without additional cost. Users who already own a compatible Koden radar (sold by Maptech, Nobeltec or others to work on competing software) can continue to use their existing radar transceiver and purchase a radar add-on module for Coastal Explorer.
Rose Point has included all of the features that a user would expect to find in traditional radar in a simple and easy to use set of commands and display options. Nearly all of the buttons and commands use industry standard icons that are easy to interpret and are familiar to most users. The radar can be displayed in a split screen, or on two different monitors.
About Rose Point Navigation Systems
Rose Point is the leading developer of PC based navigation systems. The company was founded in 2003 by Brad Christian, an ex-Microsoft developer, and is located in Redmond, Washington. The company produces Coastal Explorer and Rose Point ECS. This software is also sold under license to a number of companies around the world. It is currently offered in five different languages and a variety of product names.”
For more information on Rose Point Navigation Systems or its products, please visit www.rosepointnav.com.
