Network Accessories & Software

Network Components and Software Resources and Information

Network components and software are essential to the function of your boat’s navigation system. Fortunately, PartsVu stocks a variety of navigation software for updating your boat’s navigation and monitoring system. We also offer a wide selection of hardware components and cables, converters, and transoms to connect your electronic displays and instruments. 

Looking for more marine products? Check out our selection of Boat Accessories, Parts, and Products, or Boating Electronics and Navigation. Or browse Network Accessories and Software by category, including: 

• NMEA 2000 Interface Cables & Connectors

Network Components and Software FAQs

How does the Nobeltec TimeZero Professional work with sounders?

Echo sounders or "fish finder" determine the distance between its transducer and underwater objects such as fish or seabed and show the results on the screen. An ultrasonic wave transmitted through water travels at a nearly constant speed of 4800 feet (1500 meters) per second. When a sound wave strikes an underwater object such as fish or sea bottom, part of the sound is reflected back toward the source. The depth to the object can be determined by calculating the time difference between the transmission of a sound wave and the reception of the reflected sound. The sounder will then display this return ("ping") as one of up to 64 different colors depending on the strength of the returned signal. Sounder pings are represented over time, in a running display moving from right to left as the bottom appears beneath the transducer.

Most of the sounders on the market can operate at multiple frequencies (usually "Low" and "High"). The frequency of the sound waves created by the transducer impacts the type of reflected returns. Higher frequency sound waves, such as 200 kHz, do not penetrate the water deeply, but they return greater detail from the items they contact. For this reason, the Sounder in 200 kHz frequency is great for fish detection. However, transducers are rarely able to penetrate deeper than 600 feet in 200 kHz mode. Lower frequency sound waves behave in the opposite way. They offer much deeper depth penetration, but provide less detail from objects they contact.

TimeZero is compatible with the following Furuno Ethernet sounder:

• DFF1: Black Box 600W/1kW Dual-frequency 50/200 kHz
• DFF3: Black Box 1kW/3kW Dual frequencies between 28 and 200 kHz
• BBDS1: Black Box 600W/1kW Dual-frequency 50/200 kHz with bottom discrimination (*)
• DFF1-UHD: Black Box 1kW Broadband "CHIRP" Dual frequencies (50 kHz +/- 20 kHz, 200 kHz +/- 25 kHz) with bottom discrimination (*)
• TZtouch2 & TZtouch3 Internal Sounder: 600W/1kW Dual-frequency 50/200 kHz sounder integrated to the NavNet TZtouch2 & TZtouch3 MFD with bottom discrimination 
• FCV-1150: Standalone 1kW/3kW Dual-frequency 28/200 kHz

How does the Nobeltec TimeZero Professional work with radars?

The "Furuno Radar Module" or "InSight Radar Module" needs to be unlocked and radar configured to access this feature

Radar is an acronym meaning Radio Detecting And Ranging. It is a device which measures not only the time it takes for a pulsed signal to be reflected back from an object but also its bearing relative to your position. Radar mainly functions as an anti-collision aid. It also provides information about the whereabouts of neighboring vessels, coastal outlines, etc.

The Radar Scanner (or antenna) rotates 360 degrees on its vertical axis, using a special gear that allows the radar to know at any time in which direction it is pointing at with extreme accuracy. Radio pulses are emitted from the scanner in a certain direction. When the pulse strikes an object such as a ship or island some of the energy returns to the scanner ("radar echo"). The direction in which the scanner is pointing when the reflection is received is the direction of the target causing the reflection. Since radio waves travel at a near-constant speed, the time required for the reflected echo to return to the scanner is a measure of the range (distance) to the target.

TimeZero is compatible with three types of radar:

• Nobeltec InSight Radar: TimeZero is compatible with all MDS Ethernet InSight Radars (Koden radars with MDS5 or MDS6 control box). Since V2, TimeZero is also compatible with the Ethernet 2KW Dome Radar (MDS1R and MDS8R Koden radars).
  
  
• Furuno NavNet DRS & DRS-NXT Series Radar: TimeZero can be connected to a Furuno "DRS" (Digital Radar Sensor) through an Ethernet connection.
  
  
• Selected Furuno FAR series Radar: TimeZero is compatible with most of the Furuno FAR commercial series radars that have an Ethernet interface: FAR2xx7, FAR15x3 & 15x8, FAR 2xx8 and FAR3xxx.

How do I request a data file with my Nobeltec TimeZero Navigator?

IMPORTANT: In order to be able to request a weather file, you have to register your copy of TimeZero.

You can update the weather data from the "Update" WorkSpace. This WorkSpace allows you to define an area, select the parameters you want, and retrieve the weather data. If you have a direct Internet connection or if you have an Iridium Go, the weather file is downloaded directly within TimeZero. If you are using a Satellite Phone or low-bandwidth connection, you can choose to request the file by E-mail instead and receive it as an attachment.

By default, TimeZero will use the "High Speed Internet" download method (that takes advantage of parallel downloads). But if you are using a satellite or a low bandwidth connection, it is recommended to change the download method to "Satellite or Low Bandwidth Internet" from the Weather Options. If you use an Iridium Go make sure to refer to the Iridium Go chapter.

To request a weather file:

• Select the "Update" WorkSpace then pan and zoom the chart to display roughly the area where you want to receive a weather forecast.
• Select the "Update Area" Tool from the Toolbar.
• Click and drag the cursor on the chart to draw an area, or move the existing area
• Select the parameters you want from the menu on the right side of the screen
• Click on the "Download" / "Request by E-mail" button

What are the key aspects of the Maretron FFM100 Fuel Flow Monitor?

Maretron's FFM100 provides precision fuel flow information to help optimize fuel consumption, which can save thousands of dollars in fuel operating cost. The FFM100 uses state-of-the-art, positive displacement metering technology for unprecedented accuracy. In fact, the accuracy of the FFM100 is nearly that of commercial vessel systems costing tens of thousands of dollars, yet the FFM100 cost less than existing recreational systems found on the market today. Additional benefits of the positive displacement metering technology are the elimination of flow conditioning components such as straighteners and pulsation dampers. Other flow meter technologies require flow conditioning components that increase system and installation cost. The FFM100 also uses true temperature compensation with embedded temperature sensors within the meters. The returning fuel is generally hotter than the supply fuel and if not properly compensated, inaccuracies as much as 5% can occur in computing the engine's fuel consumption. The FFM100 also detects momentary reverse flow in the fuel lines due to fluctuating pressure caused by the injection pump. Less accurate systems count the reverse fuel flow as part of the consumed fuel where the FFM100 properly accounts for momentary reverse flow.

Lastly, the FFM100 can be used for fluid types other than fuel (e.g., water, oil, etc.) by ordering the appropriate flow sender.

The FFM100 is NMEA 2000 certified so you can view any and all information anywhere on the vessel using a compatible NMEA 2000® display. The FFM100 is a key component of Maretron's N2KView vessel monitoring and control system.