Next generation Navico MFD

[LionessRacing]

The Simrad NSX MFD use the NEON substrate, similar to the NEMESIS displays.
generally B&G have a similar product with sailing features.

Any idea on a release schedule?

my 2016 Zeus 2 is getting a bit flaky.

 

[b393capt]

I love my two 2017 Zeus 3's I keep at the helm and companionway. I also have a Zeus 2 at my J/109 nav station.

I especially like the dedicated waypoint button on the Z3 along with the higher pixel density of the display.

Other than a short video I know nothing of the NSX. What feature of the Simrad NSX would you wait for on a B&G version, rather than purchasing a Z3?

I would speculate that the maps probably draw faster. Would you mind giving up the physical buttons of the Z2/Z3, I think I would miss the physical controls, especially in the rain. The round mouse control thing in the demo might make up for it.

 

[LionessRacing]

Since “NEON” is the new operating system, first released on Nemesis display, and now on NSX, the Zeus series will either get bumped to a Z4, or just be replaced. Rumor is this fall. No point in buying dead hardware.

 

[b393capt]

Over at Panbo I see an evaluation, https://panbo.com/simrad-nsx-an-impressive-debut-of-navicos-next-generation-platform/. No other marine eletronics writers evaluate MFD's as good as Ben. From reading the review, I most look forward to maps that are more effective at dimming at night.

What do you think about the loss of physical controls (knob, buttons) as a J-boat racing sailor that would likely have the display unprotected from rain and continue to heal over in heavy weather when most other MFD users would furl up the sails, turn on the auto pilot, and not have to both steer and operate and MFD at the same time?

 

[LionessRacing]

What do you think about the loss of physical controls (knob, buttons) as a J-boat racing sailor that would likely have the display unprotected from rain and continue to heal over in heavy weather when most other MFD users would furl up the sails, turn on the auto pilot, and not have to both steer and operate and MFD at the same time?

Well I'm neither a "J" boat (though I sailed "R" boats back in the day), nor a "J-Boat" racing sailor, I just bash along on my yawl.

As regards "heavy weather," that's pretty much a matter of what you are used to. I do furl my 155% genoa or 95% jib to pre-determined "reef" points to reduce sail area when heeling becomes excessive. Your leeway may vary, I'm likely to keep my heel about 20-25degrees maximum.
Between the South and Central SFBAY that's a matter of 100 yrds = 15-20 kts wind speed coming from behind Treasure Island for example.

I have my 12" Z2 display on the cabin/cockpit bulkhead and it's been subjected to random "touches" for years. I'm at the point where I am contemplating a protective bezel to keep random contacts minimized. It's about 8 ' from the wheel, so I either sit in front of the wheel if I am actively using the MFD, or I find a split screen that I am content with, using the adjacent H5000 GFD in "sailsteer" or other mode and squint.

The remote capability of IOS interfaces is of interest, as is the context

 

[SimonGH]

You can always add the physical controller via N2K -

ZC2 Remote | B&G Sailing USA

ZC2 remote control: perfectly designed for mounting in a cockpit pedestal, by the chart table or in other locations suiting a portrait or vertical orientation.

www.bandg.com

It sounds expensive, but I found the cost of a Vulcan 12" + the ZC2 was a lot cheaper than the Z3S 12"!

 

[SimonGH]

I don't understand why that NEON OS would require new hardware - why wouldn't they offer it as an upgrade OS to existing units?
I would think that the recent hardware 3S, VR would be capable of running it.