Raymarine Announces HybridTouch E-Series

[yachtjim]

At this year's Lauderdale boat show Raymarine will release their new E-Series which has buttons and a touch screen. Looks pretty sweet. I still stand by my prediction that all premium units will be touchscreen as the next generation of equipment is released. Touchscreen makes things sooo much easier. Nice job Raymarine!

[kingair]

How much for that puppy; 5K?

[Birdman]

NICE!! Dual is GOOD!! There are a few times, I'd like a button on my touch screen only. Mainly the up/down functions. For example, when setting the Gain on radar or sounder, I'd prefer a up down button or even better, a knob to adjust it rather than sliding a slider up and down the screen. That is the only time I would prefer a button instead of touchscreen.

[Rolngthun]

Some interesting tidbits on new Ray stuff here.

http://www.reuters.com/article/press...09+PRN20090901

[kingair]

So does this mean that Navionics will be cut out and leave Jeppesen as the only "proprietry" map provider to the E Series and possibly any new hardware that is devloped by Raymarine?

EDIT

I guess I found my answer. BTW, I always go to the Raymarine UK site for the latest information.

Raymarine previews its ‘touch of genius’




Touch screen and keypad control with dual charting option gives users best of both worlds with new E Series Widescreen

Tuesday 1 September 2009
Touch screen or keypad operation? C-MAP by Jeppesen or Navionics cartography? Now users have a choice of charting software and the flexibility in operating their new multi-function display, thanks to the ingenuity of Raymarine’s new E Series Widescreen which is being previewed at this Autumn’s boat shows.

Raymarine’s E Series Widescreen is the company’s most flexible, technically advanced, and easy to use multi-function navigation display to date. It also raises the bar with its bold new styling, offering the maximum ultra-bright image and size for its footprint.

Touch screen operation has the advantage of being quick and easy, but it can be challenging to use in rough weather or when moving at speed. Raymarine now offers the choice of operating options with the introduction of HybridTouch™. This gives users the flexibility of touch screen control alongside the use of the UniControl™ which integrates cursor and OK key in one rotary wheel plus the traditional hard buttons; a seamless mix of both methods. A completely new user interface means users can easily personalise their home screen, setting up the E Series Widescreen to their specific requirements. A built-in tutorial guides users through the many new functions and features available.

The E Series Widescreen is also the first Raymarine multifunction device to offer users the choice of two cartography systems: C-MAP by Jeppesen and Navionics. The units are shipped with C-MAP by Jeppesen embedded base charts. With many boaters having their own personal favourite, the E Series Widescreen can use upgraded data from either company, such as the new C-MAP 4D Max or C-Map 4D from Jeppesen Marine, or Navionics Gold, Platinum and Platinum+.

Both C-MAP by Jeppesen and Navionics offer full 3D charts, satellite image overlay, port and harbour aerial photography and detailed port information. This flexibility also means the E Series Widescreen meets the varying needs of the user, from racers to cruisers, fishermen to divers, on leisure boats or small commercial and working vessels.

The new E Series Widescreen comes in three sizes – the E90W, E120W and E140W. The touch screen features enable fast chart panning, instant access to chart and navigation data simply by tapping the screen. A full ‘qwerty’ on-screen keyboard is used to edit and name routes and waypoints. Touch-by-touch manual route building is simplicity itself.

The Raymarine E Series Widescreen is also packed with new features and functions. This includes auto-route automated voyage planning. Users simply tap in their start point and destination, and the E Series will determine the best route to take. A new anti-collision alarm uses boat dimensions such as draught, height, and beam to safely navigate shallow water and help avoid chart hazards. New Raymarine Radar features configurable by E Series Widescreen include 48rpm high speed scanning and Bird mode – this helps fishermen detect and track fish shoals by tracking sea bird movement through the new HD Digital radar scanner.

With visibility and clarity in all conditions key criteria for all users, the E Series Widescreen has a brilliant sunlight viewable colour display. It uses optically bonded LCD display technology to improve the contrast, and provide maximum readability. With fully customisable screens, users can see at a glance everything from the fish below them, to the ‘hidden’ hazards viewable from the HD radar, through to engine data and fuel levels.

Using its SeaTalk hs connection, the Raymarine E Series Widescreen integrates with all other SeaTalk hs hardware on board, including the new HD Digital radome (see separate press release), and Digital Sounder Modules for the fishfinder. Up to five E Series Widescreens can be networked together via SeaTalkhs.

Connect up to eight SeaTalk hs nodes (a node is an MFD or sensor) on a single network using the SeaTalk hs network switch.

The E Series Wide comes with multi-language document CD, and retails from £2295 ex tax. It is being previewed by Raymarine at the Autumn boat shows starting in Holland, Norway, Cannes, Southampton, La Rochelle and Friederichshafen in September.
For more information, please visit www.raymarine.com

[Glen E]

my guess is $5600 for a 120...

[kingair]

Here is another announcement

. Raymarine launches new HD Digital Radomes




Thanks to technology migration, the evolution in High Definition Digital radar is now available as a compact full colour radome system


Tuesday 1 September 2009 – Radar target detection has undergone massive evolutionary changes in the last year, thanks to the introduction of High Definition Digital technology. Now the superior benefits of these new systems are available to even more boaters, with the launch of Raymarine’s new HD Digital radomes.
Compact domes are the most popular radar transmitters for the majority of power and sail boats throughout the world, and now these boat owners can benefit from the latest radar technology with Raymarine’s new 18” and 24” HD Digital Radomes.

These high power 4kW transmitters are designed to provide superior target detection and resolution. Whereas other systems often merge rain and targets, the HD Digital radome system has the capability of distinguishing targets even in heavy rain clutter. HD Digital radomes also come with bird mode to helpfishermen detect fish shoals by tracking sea bird movements, and high speed radar scanning (automatic 48rpm mode) for optimal tracking of fast moving targets at short ranges.

With RF exposures, even when operated at maximum radar power density, still significantly less than the energy transmitted from a mobile phone, the new HD Digital Radomes can be safely mounted in most locations on board a vessel, bearing in mind that all radar works on line of sight principles. The pulse modulated HD Digital radar uses its inherent power to ‘punch through’ clutter such as heavy rain, spray and snowy weather, to ensure that a powerful signal hits the target to return clearly identifiable individual images such as boats, moorings and jetties.

Raymarine’s HD Digital technology works by using the state-of–the-art 8 pulse width transmitter. This technology optimizes the radar’s ability to detect targets at very close proximity to the vessel or at very long ranges to see distant vessels, land features, or even weather fronts.

Using true ‘front end’ digital technology, the new 8-bit HD Digital radomes produce target clarity which is unprecedented in traditional radome radars, and is also easier to use and understand.

With its unique method of processing two distinct ranges of data, Raymarine’s HD Digital 8-bit dual scanner interleaves long and short range spokes on each scan, effectively giving users two separate and independently controlled radars in one unit. The fact that this process happens within one sweep means operators can see and control both long-range and short-range displays at the same time secure in the knowledge that signal returns are fast and accurate giving extra clarity to target detection and display.

There is no requirement for users to manually adjust the radar to get the best picture, as this is all processed automatically by the digital signal. The sharp, clear and lifelike images shown on the screen are comprehensible even to inexperienced boaters, whether targets are miles away or close by.

A key feature from HD Digital is the five multi-level colour target display facility. This means that targets with different echo return strengths - such as a vessel in front of a rocky island, or rain over vessels or navigational buoys – are shown on the display in different colours, so for example it is possible to see navigational buoys, vessels and weather systems all at once and with great clarity. Fully SeaTalk network compatible, the high resolution and clarity of the new HD Digital radomes is particularly impressive on Raymarine’s new ultra bright sunlight viewable E Series Widescreen and G Series monitors.


Using Raymarine’s new thin wire connections, the HD Digital radomes are easy to install thanks to the external waterproof connector. Operating using 10.3 to 32V DC power, the system takes just 70 seconds to power up from off and is then on instantly from standby mode. The HD Digital Radome RD418HD 4kW 18” retails at £1600 ex tax and the 24” RD424HD at £1740 ex tax.

For more information visit www.raymarine.com

[inletsurf]

No thanks on a touch screen. My bloody fingers are just fine with knobs and buttons that can be cleaned without wearing off some expensive anti-glare.

[Rolngthun]

They updated the U.S. website now too. Here is the link with a video.
http://www.hybridtouch.com/

[yachtjim]

The touchscreens don't have anti-glare. They are all glass, nothing to wear off. In fact I think blood will be easier to clean off a glass screen than getting out of the crevices around buttons. A hybrid screen like this should appeal to everybody though.

[Topend]

Once you have had a touch screen you will never go back. I do agree a few key traditional buttons would compliment a touch screen.

[wkearney99]

I greatly prefer the hard buttons. You can use them without taking your eyes off the water trying to read dialog boxes and buttons. When you're in rough conditions it's a real hassle trying to deal with false presses on a touch screen. The hybrid idea looks to be a good setup. Shame they're both a different shape and incompatible with older radar gear. Doesn't make for an easy retrofit.

[nicktg]

Navionics OR C-MAP.....nice. Also Turboview with Navionics....nice.

Question:
Wasn't RM ready to be sold? Did Garmin finally buy them out? Someone else bought them or invested?

[gotumon]

sounds like a great idea/ Raymarine has been the innovator it seems over the last 10 years or so.

[gotumon]

I just heard that the new E hybrid will be at the Newport show. They are introducing it there.

[abbor]

The new E-Series was shown at a boat fair in Norway last weekend.

[Bldstud]

Jim, any word on when Raymarine plans on releasing this E-wides here in the US? (actually shipping product).

I just purchased a new boat, but it's on land for the winter. So I have a few months here to wait for these....but I want to be rigged and ready come end of April.
I have my eye on dual E120w's.
(also, any dimension information...need to be sure the console will support dual wides).

Thanks
Jim

[nicktg]

Originally Posted by Bldstud

(also, any dimension information...need to be sure the console will support dual wides

Dimensions are identical to C series wide which can be found on RM site (mounting template also available).

[abbor]

The new E-series will be released in Europe mid November

[MrPat]

Retail Price: $US 4,459.00Our Price: $US 3,789.00
The E120W is priced close to the old E120. Now the E140W is more like 4,900. They doo look sweet.