Accuracy assured with new Simrad HS & MX series GPS & DGPS Compass

by Estelle Baldry on 3 Sep 2012 Simrad, a leading brand in professional marine electronic solutions, owned by Navico, the world’s largest marine electronics company, has announced the arrival of two new IMO-compliant GPS and DGPS compasses, the Simrad HS80 GPS Compass and the Simrad MX575C DGPS Compass.

Each solution is designed to provide reliable heading, Rate of Turn (ROT) and precise position information to the acclaimed Simrad autopilot range and the Simrad MX Series of navigation and AIS transponder systems.

The new compass solutions are the result of the respected differential GPS expertise that Simrad has developed and offered under its well-known MX Marine brand, which has now been incorporated into the Simrad Professional Series of products. Providing high precision navigation systems for over 30 years, professional customers can expect products that are robust, reliable, and easy to use, and that are backed up by a global support network of technicians.

CEO of Navico, the parent company to the Simrad brand, Leif Ottosson said 'We are committed to developing marine electronic solutions for the professional marine market that provides reliability and ease of use for the tough conditions found at sea. The new D/GPS compasses offer a significant feature set and advantage over our competitors.'

A unique feature of these new Simrad D/GPS compasses is that each compass has dual IMO compliance certification for both navigation and heading functions. These dual approvals eliminate the requirement and purchase of a separate navigation antenna which results in a substantial cost saving for the professional customer.

Offering pitch, roll and heave (in NMEA 0183 format) as a standard output with 1 – 20Hz position and heading updates, both products benefit from stand-alone automatic operation without the need for a black box, which therefore provides instant ease of use for the navigator.

Exceptionally quick heading, start up and reacquisition times are aided by three integrated sensors (gyro and two tilt sensors) that act to reduce the Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) search volume when computing GPS satellite positioning data. Heading accuracy of <0.5° RMS is achievable together with <1.0m DGPS positioning accuracy.

This level of accuracy is achieved in the Simrad MX575C by utilizing the industry standard RTCM correction data supplied from its internal beacon demodulator and from SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS etc.). The Simrad HS80 simply uses SBAS for DGPS position accuracy.

Each compass offers flexibility on interface output protocols depending on the navigation system they are paired with. The Simrad HS80 is supplied with NMEA 2000 as the standard interface, but can be used as a NMEA 0183 device with an optional cable. Alternatively, the standard interface available on the MX575C is NMEA 0183, but can also be used as a NMEA 2000 device with an optional adaptor.

Compact in design, allowing for easy mounting to any flat surface or pole, the Simrad MX575C and Simrad HS80 also achieves 1 PPS (One Pulse Per Second) output with a power/data cable in NMEA 0183 configuration. The MX575C achieves this as a standard output with a supplied cable. An optional cable allows the HS80 to reach the 1 PPS output.

Both compass solutions will be available for purchase in September 2012.

For more information on the Simrad MX575c and HS80 and the entire Professional Series visit

pro.simrad-yachting.com.