VHF-Reimagined – Vesper
Marine Announces Cortex
Announcing the World’s First Marine VHF Radio with Touchscreen
Handsets, Integrated SOTDMA smartAIS Transponder and Remote Vessel Monitoring
Vesper Marine, a leading manufacturer of
innovative marine electronics, announced today a revolution in marine VHF with
the release of Cortex. Completely redefining the VHF experience, Cortex is the
world’s first radio with wireless touchscreen handsets, built-in Class B SOTDMA smartAIS transponder and remote vessel monitoring.
“Innovation
in AIS technology, touchscreen devices and vessel monitoring has skyrocketed in
recent years, but marine VHF hasn’t kept pace and remains an anachronism,” said
Jeff Robbins, CEO, Vesper Marine. “Cortex fundamentally changes how you interact
with safety communication systems.”
Cortex is VHF Reimagined
Cortex
provides unparalleled safety by alerting boaters of collision risks, providing
key information about the potential threat and making it easy to communicate
with them. The touchscreen handset makes typically complicated functions easy
to use. For example, touching a vessel onscreen and pressing “call” makes a
direct DSC call. Cortex continuously shows crossing situations, navigation
light sectors and even allows trial maneuvers while a boater talks on the VHF
radio. Up to 10 handsets, either wired or wireless, provide up to 85 dBA of crystal-clear
audio. A 10W speaker output enables louder audio and alerting even while
handsets are turned off. Cortex includes dual-watch, favorite channels and one-handed
operation via the click-wheel. Pressing the dedicated man overboard (MOB)
button activates a track back mode on all handsets and marks the MOB waypoint on
NMEA 2000® connected multi-function displays (MFDs).
Carl
Omundsen, Vesper Marine’s Chief Technical Officer said, “Cortex unleashes the full
potential of VHF, AIS and DSC by combining them in a way that is both intuitive
and super easy to use.”
Cortex is the Brain of the Boat
Cortex
includes Vesper Marine’s award-winning smartAIS technology. An active
system with smart alarm logic, smartAIS proactively alerts boaters of
potentially hazardous situations. It combines navigation sensor data such as
wind speed, GPS and AIS information with intelligent alarm management that
prioritizes alerts for the most urgent response. Cortex continuously calculates
crossing situations and generates collision alarms for critical action, alerts
the crew of anchor dragging, and activates MOB alarms for immediate retrieval. Instead
of ambiguous bells or tones, Cortex sounds the alarm with voiced alerts that
escalate until acknowledged.
Cortex is a Plug-and-Play Remote Monitoring Solution
Cortex
combines built in sensors and NMEA 2000 connectivity with free basic
monitoring. Using cellular connectivity, boaters can view twice-daily updates
of power, location, wind, depth, bilge, temperature and more on their
smartphones. The Cortex Monitor Premium subscription unlocks real-time vessel
status, alerts and device control for boat systems like refrigerators,
icemakers, lights or heaters.
Cortex Anchor Watch Gives the Ultimate Peace of Mind
Whether
sleeping onboard at night or away from the boat, Cortex gives owners the confidence
that their boat is safely anchored. Onboard alarms are available on Cortex
handsets and WiFi connected smartphones. While ashore, Cortex sends alerts to a
smartphone via the Cortex Monitor app. As well as anchor drag, Cortex can alert
on changes to wind speed, wind direction and water depth.
Cortex Will Only Get Smarter
Cortex
will only get smarter; new features and capabilities are downloaded
automatically to the Cortex Onboard App for easy updates via WiFi whenever
convenient.
Cortex
Onboard and Cortex Monitor Apps will be available for download for both iOS and
Android. Cortex Onboard provides onboard monitoring and alert functionality on mobile
devices, sending safety data and alerts directly to smartphone or tablet via
WiFi. When away from the boat, Cortex Monitor provides position, sensor and
anchor watch monitoring and alerts.
Cortex is Engineered for the Harsh Marine Environment
Engineered
for marine durability with a submersible IPX7 rating, the wired H1 and wireless
rechargeable H1P handsets feature a generous 4-inch Gorilla Glass multi-touch
display. Wet and glove capable, the touchscreen is optically bonded for
wide-angle and sunlight viewability, even in the harshest midday sun. The
Cortex M1 is enclosed in thermally conductive plastic and is also sealed for an
IPX7 rating. It includes an integrated no-loss splitter so a single VHF antenna
can be used for Cortex and another VHF radio. All ports are galvanically
isolated to protect from corrosion, electrical surges and ground loops. The
Cortex M1 is also available separately and is a full-function Class B SOTDMA
AIS that offers remote monitoring and control and is VHF-ready. Simply add Cortex
handsets to access full VHF communication functionality or purchase the Cortex
V1 package which includes the M1 and H1 handset.
Networkable
via NMEA 2000, Cortex integrates with leading marine MFDs, sharing AIS
positioning information and boat sensors. A five-channel input offers control
and monitoring of sensors connected directly to the device for a cost-effective
vessel monitoring solution.
Visit
Cortex at VHF-reimagined.com.
For
more information on Vesper Marine or its entire product line, visit www.vespermarine.com.