More sailors are jumping onboard with performance enhancing marine electronics than ever before, and we’ve had an influx of enquiries since adding nke Marine Electronics to upffront.com.
But marine electronics can be complicated - to help simplify things for our customers, we crafted six turn-key nke autopilot and navigation packages, suitable for both racing and cruising sailors at all levels (including grand prix!).
Comprising of navigation equipment, autopilot equipment, optional upgrades and bolt-on modules, an overview of our packages is available on our previous blog (with an in-depth look at our ‘cruise’ package available here).
However, in this blog series we will be taking a closer look at some of the bolt-on modules available, addressing their functionality and the advantages of adding them to your nke system.
To get the ball rolling, we’re talking Wi-Fi - and specifically the nke USB Datalog Wi-Fi Box.
The Wi-Fi box transforms life onboard.
Technically speaking... the nke Wi-Fi box facilitates the multiplexing of all data. The nke USB Datalog Wi-Fi Box allows both data coming from the Topline Bus (such as wind, speed, direction) and data from the instruments connected to the NMEA network (such as AIS and GPS) to be displayed and saved on your PC, smartphone, or tablet using the ‘nke Display’ app - which is free, and available for iPhone, iPad and Android.
In real terms, this means... the nke USB Datalog Wi-Fi Box allows you to turn your phone, tablet or any other electronic device into a mobile, multigraphic display. Packed with 8 different information pages, the app allows you to monitor all your data feeds whilst you’re sailing, or review it once you’re moored. The app even allows you to control your other onboard yacht systems from anywhere in the boat!
Sounds great, but is it worth it?
The short answer is yes. We appreciate that a new marine electronics system can be expensive, but if you’re willing to spend the money on equipment which will collect, process and share navigational and environmental data, then you want to be able to get the most use out of that data.
Instead of limiting the viewing of this data to fixed locations (usually within your normal line of site when sailing) we think it’s worth the money for your crew to be able to view this data anywhere, at any time in order to aid onboard decision making. In this regard, the Wi-Fi box really adds value to the nke set up.
If you have any questions about nke wireless modules, please feel free to email us at support@upffront.com, or click the link below to see our full range: