One of the reasons we decided to go with Simrad for our electronics was their ability to be used with a variety of monitors. This afternoon, we got a first taste of some of the options available.
Kiwi ace electronics tech Dave Martin was aboard working on the Cochise navigation package. Dave and Deon, Circa’s lead sparky, were testing the system with a variety of displays, singly and in various combinations. In the lead photo, Dave has the 60”/1.5m Samsung 4K TV connected to the Simrad system in demonstration mode. Deon had floated the idea for the great room helm to have its monitor flat, under a piece of glass, so that it was optimized for viewing when standing up, with the countertop still available for setting things down. The flat concept does not work well when seated on watch, so the effectiveness of the TV monitor is critical.
The Samsung monitor is recognized by the Simrad video card, and what you see is what you get. The picture above is taken from eye height when seated in the helm chair.
Here the camera is working from height of eye in the port side settee.
And finally from behind the galley counter. The great room is in a confused state right now, with all of the surface finish protection, and there are four different monitors connected in this scene. That big Samsung TV monitor works great as a navigation display.
It will work well as a TV at anchor too.
Okay, time for some fresh air. We’re standing on the swim platform, looking to port, at the big aluminum kedge anchor. It will be ready to deploy quickly when (not if) we find ourselves in water a little bit thinner than optimal for floating freely. The vented door is where…
…the spare props will live on the below-the-shelf spindle. Garbage and misc items like fenders will live here happily together.
Turn to starboard, and we get an idea for the flammable stores locker volume. There is room on that shelf for 12-14 of the 20L/5.6 US gallon storage containers.
We shall close with this contemplative pose (with a shout-out to Rodan). You might title it “how to get a head”. The practicalities of the design start with being able to use the head when you are on watch, maintaining situational awareness. Space is intentionally tight, 550mm/22” in width, to hold you in place when in rough weather.
We’ll try for another update tomorrow.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 12, 2016)
April 12th, 2016 at 8:33 pm
watch keeping head sure beats the old bucket!
I love that HUGE Samsung display,
waiting eagerly for the next update.
April 13th, 2016 at 7:58 am
That 4K Sammy TV looks nice. Those folding doors, what will keep them in place as you are bouncing over the waves?
I remember reading somewhere you didn’t want a helm that looked like it was the set of Star Trek and you mentioned you are looking at a flat display in the cabinet you can see when you are standing at the helm, but you might not be able to view it from the captain’s chair.
A standard LCD/LED monitor does not like to have things on it or the screen touched. But a Ultra widescreen touchscreen monitor has the thicker glass built into it. Do not know if you would use the touch screen aspect, but you could have one of those on a hinged VESA mount where it can be flat & flush with the helm when standing and tilted up for use when in the chair.
It has been fun and very informative seeing these beautiful creations get built from start to finish.
April 15th, 2016 at 1:56 am
Hi Shannon:
We rarely bounce, and if we are it is doubtful we’d have the TV on. That said, we’ve used bifold doors in the past and they work fine.
April 13th, 2016 at 11:33 am
On the background of that anchor photo… do I see a hull window?
April 15th, 2016 at 2:10 am
Hi Joona:
Hull windows are a long discussion. At some later date we will do a post on this subject/
April 13th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Steve – Socrates would be jealous !!!
Aside – do you think the left folding cabinet door will impede full view of the Samsung display? Is the door retractable into the cabinet (side of display)?
April 15th, 2016 at 2:00 am
Hi Chris:
The bifold doors do not slip into pockets. And the Monitor screen is fine viewed from the helm
April 19th, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Hi Steve: I’m hoping you’ll post more about your nav and comms choices, but for now: 1. Will you mirror Iceberg’s radar choices (4G and Halo) as well? 2. Will you have a PC-based nav solution (Coastal Explorer) as well and will it output to the 4K screen too?
April 20th, 2016 at 7:52 am
Hi Carl:
We will do a post on the navigation and communication choices in the not too distant future. But to answer your questions, we are installing a Simrad Halo radar with the six foot array along with the 4G – one on the top of each mast. Have not thought about a PC based charting system, but Coastal Explorer is a natural since we have it and a large collection of charts.