Summary
To provide seamless integration, Proteus Hub is designed to use data from the existing sensors on your boat, especially RADAR, and to display the Proteus app on your existing Multi-Function Display (MFD, also called a 'chartplotter'). We are constantly working on supporting more sensors, radar models, and MFDs - as the list grows, we will keep this article updated to show the full list of verified and supported hardware.
The list of supported RADAR models and MFD models must be strictly followed. If we have not verified a certain RADAR or MFD, it is unlikely to work until our engineering team can test and deploy software updates to support it. Please ensure your RADAR and MFD are in the list below, and reach out to Tocaro Blue support if you do not see it listed.
NMEA2000, on the other hand, is relatively forgiving. Proteus expects to see data from three sources to function: GPS (position), an auto-pilot-grade compass (heading), and a depth transducer. This data must be on the NMEA2000 bus, we cannot access it from J1939, NMEA0183, or any other source. The devices listed here have been verified, but if you know your required sensors are (1) on the NMEA2000 bus and (2) provides the PGNs listed here, they are probably OK, but we would be happy to discuss it with you if you have any questions.
To find out which sensors are installed on your boat, you can check your owner's manual or follow our step-by-step guides for finding the device list on Garmin, SIMRAD, Raymarine (coming soon), and Furuno (coming soon) MFDs.
Multi-Function Display (MFD)
Your MFD must allow HDMI input and touch-screen output so that you can see and interact with the Proteus app. Typically we see that MFDs since 2018 support this functionality through their 'Video' channel - essentially allowing the MFD to act as a touch-screen interface to the Proteus Hub acting as a computer. We are working on HTML5 support which will expand the compatibility, today we have tested and verified the following device series:
- Garmin
- 8000 Series (12" and larger)
- 9000 Series (12" and larger)
- Simrad
- NSO Evo3 (12" and larger)
- Raymarine
- Axiom XL
- Axiom 2 XL
- Coming Soon (call us to request early access!)
- Furuno TZT-16F
Radar
A core feature of Proteus is using machine learning to understand and simplify RADAR data before displaying it. To do this effectively requires precise measurement and data collection from each radar we support. In general, you will see better results with solid-state ("pulse-compression") RADARs compared to magnetron. Since the practical range of Proteus is within 2 mile radius, you are unlikely to see much difference between radome and open-array performance for target tracking, but open-array does often provide better target classification.
- Garmin
- HD (Radome and Open-Array)
- xHD (Radome and Open-Array)
- xHD2 (Radome and Open-Array)
- Fantom (Radome and Open-Array)
- Simrad
- Halo Radome
- Raymarine
- Quantum
- Quantum 2
- Cyclone
- Coming Soon (call us to request early access!)
- Simrad Halo Open-Array
- Furuno DRS4DNXT
GPS (Position)
The position source allows us to determine the geo-location of your vessel and to draw in on a 2D and 3D map. While many MFDs include a built-on GPS, the antenna in the MFD is not sufficient for navigation and should be supplemented by a device with an antenna mounted above the vessel, with clear line of sight of the sky. The GPS must provide good position and time accuracy, and output data to the NMEA2000 network at 10 Hz.
- Simrad
- HS75 GNSS Compass
- HS60 GPS Compass
- GS25 GPS
- Garmin
- GPS 19x NMEA2000
- Lowrance
- Point1 GS and Heading Sensor
- Other
- Must transmit PGNs 129025, 129026, and 129029
Compass (Heading)
Your vessel heading is the direction your vessel is pointing (in currents and winds this is not necessarily the direction your vessel is moving; that's "course" or "course-over-ground"). For Proteus Hub to accurately overlay RADAR on a map, we must know how to rotate it and align it. Almost every vessel that has a RADAR will already have a compass, but it is important to ensure that the compass transmits onto NMEA2000 so that Proteus can see it.
- Garmin
- 9 axis Heading Sensor
- SteadyCast Heading Sensor
- Simrad
- Precision-9 Compass
- HS75 GNSS Compass
- HS60 GPS Compass
- Lowrance
- Point1 GS and Heading Sensor
- Other
- Must transmit PGN 127250
Depth
Depth measurements are an important tool for Proteus routing and alerting about sub-surface conditions. We do not require a sonar, just a simple measurement of depth. Must boats today have a depth measurement, the important thing is to be sure the measurement is transmitted over NMEA2000 so Proteus can access it. Depth is not strictly required for Proteus, but it is required for all subsurface warning and mapping features.
- Garmin
- Intelliducer NMEA 2000
- AIRMAR
- DST 810 Smart Transducer
- Lowrance
- Active Imaging 3 in 1 Transducer
- Other
- Must transmit PGN 128267
AIS
AIS received on the vessel's VHF radio provides information about commercial vessels (and occasionally, recreational boats) in your area. If your existing plotter has shown an 'AIS alert', it is very likely that your have AIS on NMEA2000. However, some VHF radios receive AIS and display the data internally without re-tramitting it to NMEA2000 - the AIS must be on NMEA2000 for Proteus to access it. AIS is not required for Proteus to operate, but it provides significant advantages for identifying and tracking commercial vessels and their intentions (for instance, fishing boats with nets or lines out that a RADAR cannot see).
- Garmin
- VHF 215 AIS Marine Radio
- AIS 800 Blackbox Transceiver
- B&G
- V60 VHF Radio
- Other
- Must transmit PGNs 129038, 129039, 129794, 129809, and 129810