[drbuzz]

Hi there. I hope this is posted in the right forum. I have been a demo user of MacEnc for quite some time. Richard says I'm the longest demo user by far. The time has come to make the dream of computer charting and navigation a reality.
My question is this. What is the best way to control the autopilot. Do I set it up so that the GPS steers and then upload waypoints to the GPS? This seems attractive since the boat is a sailboat and power consumption and reliability are an issue. Or do I have the computer send the control data and just use the GPS for position?
Or better yet, why not put in a switch to select which one steers?
Your thoughts and feedback are solicited.
thanks

[Jade]

You'll probably get as many suggestions as there are members on this forum. Here's mine:

Since I sail too, I preferred in the past to have the GPS drive the autopilot directly based on waypoints and routes downloaded from my Mac (using both GPSNavXâ„¢ and MacENCâ„¢). This allowed me to tuck my Mac safely away when beating to weather.

Last year, I installed a ShipModul Miniplex 42USB (wish it were a Bluetooth unit though). This automatically switches modes when the Mac is plugged in. I still download the waypoints and routes to the GPS but can now drive the autopilot from either the GPS or Mac.

[bobetter]

I'll second jade's suggestion. Make sure you get a 42 rather than a 41, the 41 is not programable. I have a Bluetooth unit which occasionally drops the BT connection, not sure why but I suspect it's a result of other BT devices being introduced to the environment. The other advantage to the USB device is the ability to keep it powered (via USB) if it's 12v source happens to go down.

[drbuzz]

thanks for the responses. I realize there is no consensus, but perhaps others see things I don't see. Anyway the debate is useful and the topic fairly central to boat installation.

I too would like to add a multiplex into the system. They are quite expensive. Since I am without additional nema inputs (wind, radar etc), I cannot justify the cost of a multiplexor. I think a simple switch (about $6) will work. I need to look and see if my Loran has nema output. Has any one hooked up a loran to the computer via MacEnc? You know if they turn off the satellites, were all screwed.

I think bluetooth is too unreliable a connection. WiFi would be much better. With the iPhone compatibility coming online, I'm quite excited about the possibilities. We're starting to see the integration of GPS and Wifi, but they need to keep the cost down. Economy of scale helps here but takes someone with deep pockets and a long term horizon. Like apple! Imagine all the iphones that could be sold. Imagine what that would do to the sales of MacEnc. What other technology is required to replace a bluetooth multiplexor with Wifi to bring all of our marine electronics into the same wireless network? Ok, I know about teh eggs in the basket, but think redundancy.
Anyway, thanks for the advice.

[iquik]

I am using the Bluetooth 42 multiplexer and I am very happy. The bluetooth connections always works directly and stays intact. I have the multiplexer programmed in the same way Jade did.

Great solution.