B&G expands Zeus sailing navigational line

by Andrew Golden on 14 Nov 2012 B&G – the world leader in marine instruments, autopilot systems and tactical software solutions - have today announced the latest addition to its powerful range of multifunction navigational devices, Zeus Touch™. Offering exciting new functionality and enhanced usability for sailors, the Zeus Touch is available in a choice of 7-, 8- and 12-inch touchscreen displays. Based on the award-winning sailing features of the existing Zeus product line, the new Zeus Touch delivers unparalleled ease of use ensuring navigators remain in complete control in all conditions.

Designed as the ultimate navigational solution for cruisers and club racers, Zeus Touch features a new collection of sailing-specific functions. SailTime Calculations eliminate reliance on Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and distances that are only useful for power boaters; laylines have been optimized to allow tracking of angles on the chart, even without an active waypoint; and a new, user-configurable SailSteer™ feature combines essential sailing data into one clear and informative composite screen and displays information relevant to a user’s boat alongside chart, radar or other navigational screens.

The SailSteer screen includes Heading and COG, Current Layline, Calculated Tide, True Wind Angle indicator, Rudder Angle Indicator and Opposite Tack Layline. A new Compass Scale provides True Wind Direction, Tide Set, Opposite Tack Heading and Bearing to Waypoint, and highlights navigational data including active waypoint, Mag/True heading reference and Magnetic Variation.

'The new Zeus Touch is a top-performing navigational system truly tailored for sailing in an easier-to-use touchscreen format,' said Louis Chemi, chief operating officer, Navico Americas. 'Once again B&G provides recreational and professional sailors with revolutionary technology. The Touch system pairs innovative integration capabilities and advanced performance features to enhance every race, regatta or weekend cruise.'

Building on the award-winning functionality of the B&G Zeus, Zeus Touch features exclusive Touch Sensible technology that combines a touchscreen interface with a simple keypad and super-smooth rotary controller. The system includes an ultra-bright, sunlight-viewable display; optimized fast panning and zooming; an intuitive icon-driven menu system; and plug and play integration with B&G performance modules such as GPS, Broadband Radar™, Automatic Identification System (AIS), weather, entertainment and digital switching, as well as seamless compatibility with B&G’s renowned Triton Pilot instruments.

Allowing users to customize and configure personal screen views, the new Zeus Touch system provides GRIB weather-file display, configurable laylines, and WindPlot and TimePlot histograms, as well as updated tidal information based on internal tide calculations. When used with Navionics® cartography, Zeus Touch features Navionics Dynamic Tide and Current data providing an overview of surrounding tides and currents.

The B&G Zeus Touch system is also compatible with the B&G WIFI-1™ GoFree Wireless module and apps scheduled to be available in early 2013. This innovative add-on hardware option provides wireless connectivity of multifunction systems. When paired with the B&G WIFI-1 module, users can download the GoFree Wireless apps on their iPhone, iPad and Android devices to remotely view and control their Zeus Touch displays.

The Zeus Touch is available in three models, the Z12 Touch 12.1-inch, Z8 Touch 8-inch and the Z7 Touch 6.4-inch displays. Equipped with an SD card slot for a range of marine mapping options, Zeus has built-in Nautic Insight™ HD coastal cartography and is fully compatible with Navionics Platinum+ featuring TurboViewTM for enhanced 2D and 3D viewing. The B&G Zeus Touch systems are waterproof to the IPx7 (submersible) standard, and are protected by a three-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as the B&G Advantage Service Program.

The B&G Zeus Touch multifunction display system will be available in January 2013. The Z12 Touch, Z8 Touch and Z7 Touch models have suggested retail prices of US $3,999, $2,745 and $1,599, respectively, and can be purchased from authorized B&G dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on the B&G Zeus Touch navigation system, compatible technology or the entire line of B&G marine electronics, contact 800-628-4487 (toll-free) in the USA or 800-661-3983 (toll-free) in Canada, or visit www.bandg.com.