Design
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Design Rationale - Reliability

Even the most accurate system does no good if it doesn't work.

Proper design & Construction
  • Wiring is necessary to deliver reliable power and signals to the system components (see the Wireless Connectivity comments below). However, wiring is also responsible for most of the problems. The more there is, the more likely the probability of failure. Because wiring is so important, here should be plenty of room to label and maintain cable connections.
  • Glass lenses improve visibility and are less prone to damage from cleaning and sunlight. Plastic is also not impervious to water.
  • Displays should have removable self-service desiccators to reduce condensation.

Ease of troubleshooting and repair

You are the first responder when something goes wrong. Your instrument company should help you determine the problem and provide fast resolution.

  • The system should have adequate diagnostic information and backup documentation to help track down a problem (see Troubleshooting).
    • Ockam provides the best front-line support with over 150 advisory messages, status lights, and the ability to hot-swap in a known-good item.
    • Documentation includes extensive troubleshooting help and technical background.
    • Should a failure occur, it can be rapidly diagnosed and the cause identified, often requiring no tools.
    • You can call and talk to an actual, live, knowledgeable technician. Try it! (203) 877-7453 ext. 205 or Skype ockam-service (text only) or email service@ockam.com.
  • The company should have a fast response program for a hardware emergency and it should be easy for you to swap out a malfunctioning component. (see Service).
Longevity

Once you've built your boat, your thoughts must evolve from revolutionary changes to evolutionary improvements. To do this you need a stable measurement system in a complex dynamic environment like sailing. You have enough to worry about; your instrument system shouldn't add to the list.
  • Will new developments render your instrument system obsolete?
    • All Ockam systems ever made are compatible with each other.
    • When new technology comes along, every effort is made to backfill to the installed base. Two cases in point are the 041 GPS interface which adds the NMEA channel to 001 systems, and the 051L LANbridge which adds ethernet connectivity to every Ockam system ever made.
  • Will your instrument system continue to be supported?
  • Will you be able to get your instruments repaired 10 years from now?
  • When you sell your boat, will the instrument system be an asset?
Keeping abreast

Keeping your instrument system up-to-date is becoming more important as new sensors and data become available. You can check out how current your proposed instrument system is by checking the manufacturer's web site for updates. Ours are located in the technical section here. We also did a little snooping on B&G. Check this out.

A word about wireless connectivity

There is a lot of discussion about whether and when to adopt wireless technology in instrument systems. Tacktick is the leader in wireless instrument systems on smaller boats. In their market, wireless makes sense. However, in larger boats who sail at night and offshore, there are some issues to be aware of.
Wireless pros and cons

Advantages Disadvamtages
  • Cable weight and clutter is eliminated.
  • Device is free to move.
  • Communication is less certain (signal loss, crosstalk, interference).
  • Device power (including lighting) must be supplied by battery or solar cells.

Considering these factors, Ockam feels that if a device is screwed to the boat, it should be wired. For the crew (usually not screwed to the boat), we supply two wireless solutions: the Eye pda and the Lynx keyfob controller.

We support WiFi (wireless Ethernet) for our wireless standard. For more information, read about the 051L LANbridge and the UDP broadcast.

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