For the business and trade press
Widescreen Maritime Navigation - VDO Presents Ocean Map Plotter with 16:9 Aspect Ratio
Perfect map display on a 16:9 format screen in the boat’s cockpit, significantly increased computer performance, and even more connection and installation options – those are the most important characteristics of the new MAP 7 WI ocean map plotters which herald VDO’s latest generation across the range.
The MAP 7 WI brings the 16:9 widescreen format display into maritime navigation for the first time, following its successful use in cars. This sees the screen diagonal of the ocean map plotter, which is perfectly legible in bright sunshine, grow by some 25 % to 176 millimetres, allowing more information to be displayed more legibly. The VDO MAP 7 WI also supports a true split-screen function, that allows the screen to be divided, providing an even better display than before. Whilst the left-hand side of the screen continues to display a large-format ocean map, the right-hand side contains the continually updated navigation data. At the same time, VDO has also significantly improved the display quality of the plotter. MAP 7 WI now runs at 480 x 234 pixels, with 256 colours, instead of 16. The new generation of system also means completely new hardware for the MAP 7 family of VDO plotters. The MAP 7 WI is the first system to be equipped with a 200 MHz StrongARM processor. Both screen updating and route calculation are now performed around twice as quickly as by the previous model. In addition, the new top-of-the-range model in the MAP 7 family is now equipped with a USB master port, so that in the future, software can be updated over a connection to a PC. With a range of NMEA connections and other interfaces, the MAP 7 WI is also perfectly equipped for integration into sports boat information networks. For example, using the optional VDO C-Com module, the device can receive continuously updated local weather reports online. In the future it will also be possible to fulfil our clients’ wish of receiving SMS text messaging from mobile telephones. As with all models in the MAP 7 family, the new 16:9 device is available as both a mobile system with an integrated GPS antenna (VDO MAP 7 WI) and a practical quick-removal holster, or with a separate antenna for permanent installation in the cockpit (VDO MAP 7 W). The latter has a front-mounted card slot, not only making it easier to switch the navigation database, but also ensuring the device sits flush better than its predecessor.
Siemens VDO Automotive is one of the world's leading suppliers of electronics, electrics and mechatronics to the automotive industry. In the 2003 business year (30.9.), Siemens VDO Automotive generated sales of EUR 8.4 billion with 43,900 employees. The service and trading activities, the special original equipment manufacturing as well as all content software business for navigation systems are bundled within the Service & Special Solutions business unit. With the VDO, VDO Dayton and Siemens VDO product brands, the company’s portfolio ranges from car navigation, car multimedia and sophisticated car audio systems, telematics solutions for vehicle fleets to products for OEM with low volumes or special requirements, vehicle spares and spare part service for end of production vehicles. Service & Special Solutions is one of the leading service and trading companies in the automotive market. With 2.600 employees the business unit runs separate production and development locations and is present in 80 countries and all relevant distribution channels.
Reference Number: SV200307.001 en
