DataLinker and Sail Racer come to us from Lithuania

SailRacer UAB is a small Lithuanian company founded in 2013 by a team of experienced developers and regatta passionate . They design solutions for the sailors and clubs, both software and devices, focusing on developing applications and essential accessories to the processing of navigation data for mobile devices and their operation through the Cloud. They provide an application specifically dedicated to the regatta, Sail Racer, and the first Bluetooth NMEA gateway in the market, DataLinker.

DataLinker, a Bluetooth NMEA gateway

The DataLinker allows to receive data from the instruments on a smartphone, a tablet or other compatible mobile device, thanks to the Bluetooth Smart technology (¹). Wind data can be used, compass, speedometer, sounder and GPS with a dedicated application while remaining connected to the internet via Wi-Fi and thus share this data via the Cloud.

Currently, wireless access to internet while connected over Wi-Fi to navigation instruments through a gateway requires a Wi-Fi connection setup on the device , that few users master. To overcome this disadvantage, The DataLinker uses Bluetooth Smart technology (¹). Thus, the Wi-Fi tablet port remains available for a connection to the internet.

With the DataLinker, data from the instruments can be received at the same time, Use a tactics or navigation app, load raw and calculated data on the Cloud and to benefit its friends of live own track. A fleet of boats can share its data, A regatta club can offer real-time tracking in a simple and cost-effective way and a coach can track the progress of their teams (a specific application has been designed for clubs).

However, the device remains limited to a single NMEA connection, do not multiplexing and does not support SeaTalk protocol, unlike products such as Miniplex ShipModul's website.

The ABS case meets the standard of IP54 protection (²). It features a single connector and 3 Operating LEDs. The stand-alone cable provided includes two power wires and the two NMEA output wires supporting 4800 up to 38400 bauds.

Features :

• Range : 50 meters high
• Interfaces : RS232, RS422
• Data Format : NMEA 0183
• Rate : 4800-38400
• Power supply : 10-30 V.
• Consumption : 35 my (12 V.)
• Cable power/data provided : 1 meter
• Dimensions : 100 x 50 x 25 mm
• Weight : 90 g
• Standard protection : IP54 (²)

Sail Racer

The Sail Racer application is intended for the racing sailors. It uses the data provided by the boat's instruments (GPS, Vent, Compass) associated with a Polar speed in an interface offering instant vision of progress towards the start line or course mark.

Direct competitor of iRegatta, Sail Racer assists the skipper to cross the starting line at the top and the best place, to choose the best legs upwind and downwind, to follow the best course taking into account wind, The speed polar and the drift.

The interface is customizable, Designed to present the most relevant information at a glance, with several available screens by swiping. Several modes are available : preparation for starting (pre-start), starting (Start), on course (course).

An account on www.sailracer.net Allows you to store waypoints, regatta courses, events and tracks. It is essential to use the app's functions. Free to download, Basic functions are limited, a subscription of 10 € per year is required to access the full features.

The DataLinker is not yet available in France, The Sail Racer app is already available on iOS and Android, for smartphone and tablet. The app of course supports the DataLinker, but also any Wi-Fi gateway using the TCP/IP protocol. We will have to wait for the first tests to form a definitive opinion.

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(¹) Bluetooth 4.0, also called BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
(²) Reminder on IP protection indicesXx :
First digit : Protection against solid bodies (dust, sable)

• 5 = Protected against dust

Second digit : Liquid protection

• 4 = Protection against splashing water

For more details, see This document.
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