November 30, 2016 Voyage Recorder updates for firmware and PC software
New version of YDVR Converter generates a list of NMEA 2000 devices and fixes damaged DAT files. New Voyage Recorder's firmware v1.22 with a bug fix is released. And we wish to introduce a convenient, free online service for the publishing tracks.
A bug in Voyage Recorder firmware (present in all versions up to 1.20) may cause invalid date / time records at the end of a file if the network contains more than one source of GPS position and system time, if one of these sources provides invalid data. This bug is appears very rarely in practice; however, we recommend updating Voyage Recorder firmware to all users.
If this bug affected you, you may fix recordings using the new YDVR Converter software. Chapter 8 of the YDVR Converter's documentation now describes the data recovery process, which also can be useful if your data files were damaged due to file system errors. The process is fully automatic and requires no special knowledge.
The New PC software version now supports generation of a spreadsheet file with a list of NMEA 2000 equipment. The list contains all available data, including the device's model and serial number, firmware version, network address, and a list of actually transmitted messages with the count of messages of each type. This list may help you fill your boat's inventory list or check your equipment details when you are away from the boat.
Some bugs were also fixed in YDVR Converter, so we recommend that all our users download this version.
We wish also to introduce an excellent service for publishing GPX tracks. One of our customers (s/v Lexington) sent to us data with the first leg of his round the world voyage with permission to share (thanks a lot!!!!). For a long time, we are using Google Maps to share GPS tracks. Note that you should convert GPX track to KML or KMZ format with Google Earth before uploading your track to Google Maps.
At the map above you can click at any point to see extended sailing data like a wind, engine revolutions, etc. You can also open this map at Google Maps to see it in details.
But recently we found the excellent service of GPS Visualizer.
What do they do? They can build an HTML file (a web page) for you which contains all your data (yes, all data are integrated to the page's body!) and shows your track on top of a Google Map. Extended sailing information is also available (click here to see the page with Lexington's track). You can download generated page and view it locally. And yes, an internet connection is required for the interactive Google Map. But you can just publish this page on your web site without the headache of permissions, sharing, HTML embedding and Google's policy changes. The only thing that you need to do before publishing at a web site is to insert your Google API key (you can get it free in a minute).
They also have a lot of other useful and free GPS tools online, enjoy! And, of course, enjoy by the track of s/v Lexigton! You may download the GPX file here and learn more about their journey in the blog.
Updates are available at our Downloads page.
Next articles:
- Digital Thermometer is certified by NMEA / November 29, 2016
- Updates for Text Display and NMEA 2000 Bridge / October 28, 2016
- New Engine Gateway firmware with BRP Rotax engines support / October 26, 2016
Previous articles:
- Engine Gateway now support Volvo Penta EVC-A and EVC-MC (Volcano) protocols / December 16, 2016
- Updates for Text Display and Voyage Recorder / December 21, 2016
- «A black box for your boat»: review of our Voyage Recorder in SailBits / March 6, 2017
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