ShipModul company informs us of an important change in the design of the MiniPlex-3 all versions (Wi/N2K/E). Its founder explains : Read more …
Label : WiFi
XB-8000 new WiFi AIS transponder for mobile devices [Update]
Vesper Marine, company established in 2007 in Auckland (New Zealand), specializes in the design of devices for AIS data broadcasting. Their latest product, XB-8000, is a Class B AIS transponder certified NMEA2000® compact, low consumption, responding to the yachting market and small professional units. It was essentially designed with WiFi transmission in mind to navigation applications developed on tablets and smartphones.
[Updated] After the acquisition of Vesper Marine by Garmin, this device is discontinued since February 2023. The brand name is also removed.
MiniPlex-3 new firmware 3.14.0
Since the firmware release 3.6.0, Several updates have been released, until the latest one 3.14.0. It is to be implemented with the latest version of the utility MPX-Config 3.10.0, only available for PC/Windows. Both is to download from ShipModul website, section Downloads. Here is a summary of the main new features… Read more …
MiniPlex-3 new firmware 3.6.0 [Update]
Warning : This article is for advanced users only. ShipModul has just released a new MiniPlex-3 firmware (V.3.6.0) and an updated version of the utility MPXConfig3 (V.3.6.0) PC/Windows. This is an update for improvements and bug fixes. Beginners abstain Read more …
MiniPlex-3 new firmware 3.4.0
The MiniPlex-3 multiplexer has been experiencing since November 2021 numerous software improvements and changes with the Firmwares (Firmware) Versions 3.x.x. The latest version 3.4.0 Date of 13 January 2022. These firmwares are closely associated with the MPXConfig3 utility, the latest version of which 3.5.0 is required to perform the latest device update. To date, this utility can only be used with PC/Windows, the macOS version probably not being available until late February. Read more …
Simultaneous Wi-Fi and cellular connection [Update]
In coastal navigation, so often within range of a cellular network, you can download GRIB files, weather maps, or simply communicate with friends. But what if your smartphone or tablet is already connected to a multiplexer via Wi-Fi, or an NMEA gateway, without cutting off the data that powers our favorite navigation app ?
This is the tip of the summer…
[Update 25/09/2020] The trick in question depends on the iOS version used. Details in the article.
Integrate tablets with onboard instruments : Wi-Fi gateways
For several years it is possible to integrate iPads and other mobile devices using Wi-Fi to onboard instruments. This allows navigation apps to, not only to receive all the data from the sensors : speedometer, anemometer, sounder, AIS, etc,, but also to send their own navigation data to the instruments, as, in example, to control an autopilot.
This integration takes place through devices called "gateways" or "routers" that connect to the instruments' networks, receive the data circulating through these networks, and transceive in Wi-Fi to tablets and smartphones. Some navigation applications are being developed to process this data and transform mobile devices into real navigation centers. Read more …
Miniplex-3Wi-N2K Firmware Update 2.0
ShipModul has just made a major update V.2.0.6 of MiniPlex-3 firmware. Once installed in the MiniPlex-3-N2K, it becomes a certified product NMEA2000®. To perform this update, It is imperative to download and install the new version of the utility MPX-Config3 V.2.4.1 (¹). the firmware update is integrated into the utility package. Read more …
Miniplex-3Wi-N2K : Major updates
ShipModul manufacturer comes to provide on his website two major updates to dowload for its multiplexer Miniplex-3 :
- Firmware Miniplex-3 V.1.17
- Firmware Wi-Fi V.1.5.0.3
The two update files, featured with a procedure (in English), are packaged in a single folder WiFi V1.5.0.3. Download. The implementation can only be done with the configuration utility MPX-Config V.2.1.0 minimum, available in PC and Mac versions. Read more …
The Miniplex-3Wi-N2K is finally available
We had been waiting for it for almost two years, hoped more, we despaired… but here it is in my hands. Alleluia ! Multiplexer Wi-Fi NMEA0183, gateway NMEA2000 and translator SeaTalk1 is available in France (¹).
The same size and light as its little brother, Miniplex-2Wi (²), its plug terminal is significantly neater : No need for screwdrivers, Connectors have spring clamps. The signage is also much more legible in color, and 4 LED lights allow at a glance to check the operation : strings scrolling NMEA2000 and/or NMEA0183, connection to a Wi-Fi device, and overflow if applicable.
But the apparent simplicity is misleading and the thing hides a real potential.