Hi guys and girls

we have been working on a few large add on screens for the Furuno TZT3 , Garmin 84xx and 86xx range of MFDs and 8700 black box
Basically, we had some clients with bass boats and flybridge boats that were going out and finding that a second big mfd wasn’t in their budget.. or that a smaller screen wasn’t suiting their eyes as they got older

for ages, we have been running displays off mfs “mostly to TVs in large saloons or sportfishing yachts for… fun basically”
but we wanted to bring a touch screen element to the party.

So we wanted a touch screen monitor that would meet or exceed Garmin and Furunos specifications to be used in 2nd helm/fishing locations

we came out with a 17.3″ a 18.5″ and a 24″

We understand that these are big and not for everyone. nor is it the first of its kind. but we haven’t been able to find many that hit these levels of quality. but it’s just an option

So some numbers

The screens are Full HD 1920×1080 resolution
IPS in-plane switching for viewing angles and polarised sunglasses
1500nitts brightness for view-ability in sunlight (exceeding Garmin 1200)
10 point multi-touch (not that it matters much for the Garmin operating system, which is a maximum of 2 point touch)
1000:1 contrast ratio
IP67 weatherproof with waterproof mil-spec plugs for HDMI,USB,DC,VGA

We oped to use a VESA mounting pattern.. instead of a bracket… we felt this gave most amount of options for mounting footprint and allowed for the most amount of the angles
The screens are only 48mm deep with a heavy metal body for heat distribution
Membrane touch buttons on the back of the units for settings

We are always looking for feedback and suggestions 🙂

Thanks!
Moose

 

Moose Marine continues introducing new and exciting marine technology to the boating and outdoor community.

 

The flagship Garmin GPSMap 84xx series head units (86xx US readers) has two HDMI ports, IN and OUT. These ports can be used to bring media into the MFD and displayed at the helm, or take the MFD display and showcase it on a monitor elsewhere. So we thought we would just list some scenarios of how you can benefit from connecting to these two ports

Firstly, whilst any standard size HDMI cable will connect to the head unit, Garmin themselves produce their own 15ft cable complete with a waterproof screw lockdown to retain IP standards.
Part number 010-12390-20

HDMI IN

Connecting a laptop or video out feed from your smartphone or tablet, Media pc or even game console to this HDMI in will then utilize the GPSMAP as a HD monitor. The Garmin also has a built-in HDMI audio splitter. By using the Garmin NMEA0813/AUDIO cable and connecting it to the green Audio plug, Sound from the HDMI source can be then directed to the AUX input of a compatible Fusion unit. As an added benefit to installing the audio cable, You can opt to have system alerts and alarms “shallow water, low voltage etc” broadcasted over your sound system with a human voice. So instead of just hearing a beeping off in the distance when you are sleeping, you can hear a voice alerting you that you have come adrift and your anchor is slipping.

Part number: 010-12852-00

There area few decent USB-MICRO C to HDMI adaptors or Apple to HDMI adaptors that plug straight in with no issues. It may be prudent to install a flush mount HDMI connector to the helm to allow easier access.

HDMI OUT 

Using the HDMI out allows you to monitor what’s on your MFD on a larger TV screen elsewhere on the boat. Consider if you had a flybridge sports fishing vessel or larger cruiser and wanted to have your sonar displayed downstairs for your friends or crew to monitor, Or sit in your stateroom and check out your surroundings from your radar.
In a way this allows you to have a  considerably larger screen for small screen money. You could utilize a Garmin remote to give you two-way functionality.

Grid 10 Ethernet remote                             GRID20 NMEA2K remote                                           Wireless GPSMAP remote
PN 010-01024-00                                             PN 010-02011-00                                                             PN 010-10878-10

 

USB fun

The GPSMap 84xx 86xx series also includes a micro USB port.
This can be used for the Garmin in-dash SD card reader, to give you better access to Active captain or map data.

PN: 010-02251-00

It can also facilitate the use of your Garmin touch screen to control the laptop or PC. Just like the HDMI cable, Garmin does produce its own USB accessory cable with a waterproof coupler or use the OTG USB adaptor to power a USB device. In particular a Chromecast

PN :010-12390-10                                                                  PN: 010-12390-11

So here is a layout that would use the entire system, TV to display your GPSMap screen to your crew, a laptop for the skipper to bring up weather data or watch sports live from their online subscription. With the audio being broadcasted through his surround sound system.

Hopefully, this just showcases some of the expanded infotainment options available to the Garmin 84XX/86XX series

Below are some videos demonstrating the processes

https://youtu.be/6mRxCuvI59w

 

 

 

 

We are extremely proud and happy to work along side Jeanneau boats here in australia and certanly a lot of our clients builts have been the envy of the world. 38 South Boat Sales, Vic/SA agent for Jeanneau along with one of our early Merry Fisher clients introduce the new Series two model in the 695 class.
Enjoy!
English video coming soon!

 

When fusion released their Apollo range i was pretty pumped. excited to see what fusion could offer with parent company Garmins dollars behind it now. A bit of history of the models, Fusions capital range was their 600 and 700 series , both large with fold down opening fronts offering a dock for your phone or cd/dvd player option. both still exist today in the 655 and 755 versions. both now have bluetooth, bonded glass screens aluminium bodies still 4 zones, you get the idea. the smaller range was their 200 series and then 50 series.. both once again had aluminium powdercated bodies, with eventually built in bluetooth. 2 zones at various power levels. and eventually bonded glass screens and NMEA2K connectivity

The 70 series came in to bridge that gap. understanding that most people were not using cds anymore and with their being more than one smart phone company, it wast worth having a dock inside the head unit. especially as people seem glued to their phones now anyway. The 70 series did offer a cheaper price point for its size due in part to plastic body etc. but it was and still is fusions best seller with it being the go to unit for boat/caravan OEM from small tinnies to larger powerboats and yachts, with sales of the 600 and 700 flagship range just falling off a cliff

So… the Apollo series was launched. with two bookend models. a new small “one up from a remote” model called the SRX400. with its cute as a button size, bonded glass now colour screen, wifi and Ethernet. though only one zone and no USB input. and the other end of the scale with the RA770. featuring a full bonded glass touch colour screen control and volume/selector knob. it did feature just about everything , wifi, nmea2k, ethernet, usb, am/fm, ant+, you get the picture

So the two extremes were there. we just needed something in the middle to suit are more conservative client “the 770 is over $800” but one who wants more than the srx400.

Enter the new 670. which if you like is a nice evolution of everything other models…..are’nt
So we get a colour bonded glass screen (like the srx400)
we get NMEA2K (like the 770)
but not wifi ….. which seems like its from feedback, most OEM and retro fitters seldom use this feature, and is left mostly for the big boat world.. so save the peso and leave it out it seems
it does however have USB and bluetooth
also it can run 3 zones up from the 1 of the srx400 and 2 of the ra70. this works well with the Front/Back/Subwoofer 5 speaker system we are seeing often .

ramblings over,
I am excited to see a full Apollo range now. Still could do with a boost in build quality. but over all. looking forward to having a play
– Moose