Software-On-Board

[andyd]

Hi,
I am currently evaluating and am considering a purchase before the new season kicks off for us in the UK. Can I find a milestone plan of what you plan to do for the next release somewhere? Otherwise, could you summarise what will be included and when it is likely to be.
Thanks,
Andy.

[Delta Mike One]

[SOB Support]

What? Remove the anticipation and eliminate the surprise factor? Where's the marketing advantage in that?

I will say that all the new stuf that has sneaked in with the last few releases will get properly documented in the User Manual - there should be plenty just in that to keep many of our users busy playing catch up!
Last year, most of the development time went into the "SOS Mode" (for Software On Shore). SOB is now used by many coast guard organisations around the world for their own and their member's vessel tracking via DSC and AIS and with the new SOS mode via manual skeds as reported on voice calls. This info is shared with rescue organisations when needed and has already been used on many occasions to speed recovery of stricken vessels.

So I'll take this opportunity to remind/encourage all those boats with DSC radios to take the time to connect their GPS to the VHF and register for an MMSI number from their local Authority (AMSA in Australia, Ofcom in UK etc) and enter this into their DSC/VHF radio. Then for more fun, link the VHF NMEA output to the PC and SOB and use for tracking your buddies on the chart, and tracking your tender (if it has a DSC radio onboard).
Further, the new Mobilarm V100 personal man-overboard device sends a DSC MOB distress when activated which will also appear on the SOB chart when activated.

Back to new stuff - the Alarms feature is the priortiy to finish off. And Wind Polar data more integrated into the SOB display for immediate optimisation feedback while under sail. Has any one connected their Cruzpro instruments? We're always after more feedback about this feature and how best to integrate and use this data.
As I'm currently sailing a fairly deep draft yacht in mostly shallow waters, I've moved up the list the long planned graphing module. Although it'll be capable of displaying most historical data as a line graph (such as boat and wind speed) I'm especially interested in the depth profile it'll provide.

Waypoint attachments will be included also. This will be a precursor to the much discussed Winfopoints elsewhere on this forum.
Also added is the ability to change default waypoint settings, and to "copy" a waypoint by ctrl-dragging one on the chart.

Well, hopefully that's enough to whet some appetites. We have a long list of user requests also and we're always keen to include these, but remember we prioritise them based on number of users requesting/supporting such additions.

So keep the ideas coming....
Simon
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SOB Support

[Delta Mike One]

[Daven]

Very glad to hear that new stuff is in the pipeline, especially the alarm module that has been talked about for a long long time. Any idea of timescales - even for Beta testing?

[Malcolm]

I am looking forward to the new routes options. (hint hint)

Mike.. I have upwards of 800 active targets within range of my AIS everytime i go out sailing in the Straits of Melaka so more information is useful but it would take 20 secs just to redesplay the screen unless i switch off some of them I'd like to see a "range-limit" for AIS targets as well as "dangerous only", so that I can actually see the chart beneath the targets sometimes! I tried using an aerial attenuator to limit range but the AIS TX does not like that.
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Malcolm.

[Rob Hills]

I agree, I'd love to see routes improved for cruisers along the lines talked about in this discussion.

Cheers,
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Cheers,

Rob Hills
Waikiki, Western Australia