The 2009 Miami Boat Show premiere of revolutionary Broadband Radar technology by Navico — manufacturer of electronics under the Northstar and Simrad brands that are compatible with Jeppesen Marine C-Map MAX and MAX Pro charts — will take navigation using radar/chart overlay to new levels of detail, resolution and accuracy. As a result, boaters navigating with compatible Northstar and Simrad multi-function systems will be able to cruise, sail and fish with greater confidence.
A significant departure from traditional “pulse” radars that use powerful magnetrons, Navico Broadband Radar is based on solid-state technology similar to that used in military and commercial radar applications. Broadband Radar delivers superior target resolution and separation where it matters most — in tight quarters and crowded waterways. This system is able to clearly differentiate between docks, channel markers, pilings, jetties, piers and other features as close as only a few meters from the boat (minimum range scale for Broadband Radar is 1/32 nm).
In addition, Broadband Radar is inherently easier to understand and operate than traditional systems. Since there is no magnetron to warm up, Broadband Radar comes on instantly and is ready to assist navigators the moment darkness, bad weather or fog descends. Sea clutter rejection is five times better, and the system automatically and instantly tunes the radar for optimum performance whenever the range scale is changed. Because it is simpler to operate and presents an easily interpreted display, Broadband Radar technology helps “demystify” radar for the average boater. It is logical, then, that boaters will be quick to turn to this technology — together with their detailed C-Map MAX electronics charts from Jeppesen Marine — for confidence in challenging situations.
Navico Broadband Radar (using a compact 18” radome with 24 nm range) will interface with several popular Northstar and Simrad brand navigation systems. These include both the C-Map MAX-compatible Northstar M121 (12.1” display) and M84 (8.4” display), as well as similarly sized Simrad NavStation NX40 and NX45 instruments. The highly detailed and up-to-date C-Map MAX electronic charts that power these systems are the perfect complement to the clear and distinct radar images Broadband technology provides. Now even small features such as docks, day markers, rocks, pilings and narrow inlets will be more easily detected and verified combining chart and radar returns, at lower range scales than possible before.
Broadband Radar will also be compatible with Northstar and Simrad systems operating Jeppesen Marine’s advanced C-Map MAX Pro cartography. The processor based Northstar 8000i and Simrad GB40 Glass Bridge system — both providing information via one or more 10”, 12” or 15” displays — are professional grade navigators made even more powerful with the addition of Broadband Radar. C-Map MAX Pro, Jeppesen Marine’s most advanced cartography for the recreational boating market, delivers the ability to combine Broadband’s inherently superior radar displays with state-of-the-art charting features like Virtual Earth 3D displays of land and sea contour, 2D and 3D satellite photo overlays, and more.
“We’re very excited about this new radar technology and how it can make our electronic charts even more powerful when used with these Northstar and Simrad systems,” said Michelle Buckalew, senior marketing manager for Jeppesen Marine. “Together, we’re moving toward providing a level of accuracy and detail that will boost the confidence of boaters and help them navigate safely and confidently in challenging real-world conditions.”
To learn more about Navico Broadband Radar technology and these compatible navigation systems, visit www.northstarnav.com or www.simrad-yachting.com For more information on C-Map MAX and MAX Pro cartography solutions from Jeppesen Marine, visit www.jeppesenmarine.com/lightmarine.
Jeppesen Marine is a market-leading provider of vessel operations services and digital navigation solutions, based on worldwide vector chart data type approved to ISO19879, meteorological information and transmission technologies. Jeppesen Marine offers a wide range of navigation and operations products and services to serve markets from inland and coastal navigation to today’s safety-conscious commercial shipping industry. Jeppesen Marine is chartered with the same underlying values that launched Jeppesen in 1934 – improving safety and efficiency through innovative navigation solutions.
Contact Jeppesen Marine at 1-800-424-2627 or outside of North America call +39 0585 79471.
Media Contact:
Eric Anderson
Jeppesen Corporate Communications
+1 303 328 4767
Eric.Anderson@jeppesen.com
