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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Fri Jun 02 2006 - 10:13:51 EDT
I have extensive experience with computer in general, Nobeltec VNS, Nobeltec Radar and to a lesser degree Nobeltec Admiral. The boat I just purchased has Furuno NavNet, but I have yet to use it.
Gene asked for thoughts regarding a Furuno system compared to Nobeltec Admiral and Glass Bridge, my comments are included below:
a. I greatly respect Phil and Bob, but disagree with the practice of using the navigation computer for multiple purposes. While running apps like Excel and Word are fine, using the navigation system as your wireless internet portal adds complexity with a questionable value proposition. My reasons for this opinion are:
1. Keeping the OS as bare bones as possible (no add on utilities that I enjoy on my work system) makes it simpler to troubleshoot or support from the manufacture. Telling the support people, No the system doesnt have any other software, so it MUST be your problem is a powerful position to be in. Unfortunately you do have to use this occasionally
2. Use of the Glass Bridge network requires a TCP/IP network on the boat. Combining the wireless access with the TCP networking to make the Glass Bridge work can be challenging. I observed this when I set it up on my boat, and I have 25 years of computer networking experience.
3. Having a 2nd or third system that is your wireless access device but also has a copy of the software makes for a nice backup plan. At a minimum charts and configuration files can be stored on this system to aid in rapid recovery.
b. I have written extensively on the pluses and minuses of using a PC on the boat for navigation. In summary, I believe:
1. You can build a more powerful processing and display environment because the PC market makes more technology available faster than the navigation companies can integrate them into their product lines. This means you get higher resolution displays and faster processors at lower costs.
2. However, as someone pointed out, the integrated systems now cost less than Nobeltec Admiral, especially since the licensing went to a single system with Admiral
3. As the integrater of the system the user needs to be very comfortable working with PC's and networking to support the system. Theres no plug n play in building the Glass Bridge network. If you are comfortable building and supporting your own computers you stand a better chance of being happy than if you can't.
c. Perhaps a strategy of combining the fixed solution with a PC is the best of both worlds. I did this on the Camano, with a Garmin on the flybridge. That insured a failure of the PC didnt leave me without navigation. Putting a complete NavNet system on board, having your wireless access PC, but running Nobletec VNS and a blue tooth GPS is a powerful plan. Given the choice, this would be my approach. As I just read Gils comments I must agree with them 100%
Good luck, the great thing about this list, your getting advice from people with lots of experience, who arent trying to sell you anything. Scott
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