Furuno USA, Inc. is once again setting a new benchmark for innovation in integrated marine electronics, with the introduction of NavNet TZtouch. This new platform takes Furuno’s award winning TimeZero technology and injects it into the industry’s first Multi-Touch MFD. TZtouch brings you pinch-to-zoom capability, two-finger course rotation and other multi- and single-touch gestures for the most intuitive user-interface on the market today.

NavNet TZtouch integrates a high-sensitivity, edge-to-edge glass multi-touch screen, giving you total control at your fingertips. Navigation is simplified by using your fingertips to zoom and pan around the chart and a variety of other screens. As soon as your fingers touch the display, taps, pinches and swipes are instantly transformed into useful actions and commands. From the standard drag and drop, to custom multi-touch gestures that you create, this interface is so easy to understand, you will be up and running in no time. To make operation even easier while underway, Furuno has incorporated its intuitive RotoKeyTM rotary knob, which allows you to make adjustments, such as range and gain, or make menu selections, using either the touch screen or the RotoKeyTM.

This new navigation suite is a component-based system that utilizes Furuno’s award winning network products. The brains of the NavNet TZtouch system are based in its Multi-Function Display (MFD) units that feature the latest high-performance, Intel Sandy Bridge Dual-Core processors. You can choose from a 9-inch WVGA or 14.1-inch WXGA multi-touch display, depending on your vessel size and need. From there, you can add a variety of components to round out your package.

NavNet TZtouch allows you to get more connected than ever before by opening the door to cutting-edge WiFi features. Create or connect to an existing WiFi network with your TZtouch to access tablet and smartphone apps, as well as free NavCenter Weather Forecasting for up to 16 days in advance.

A new, powerful feature is the ability to remotely view and control TZtouch with apps designed for your smartphone and tablet. You can download the FREE NavNet Viewer App and the NavNet Remote App from the Apple App Store. The Viewer App allows you to conveniently view fishing, sailing, ship, navigation, environment and engine data wirelessly on your Apple mobile products. You can even create custom data screens with the information that is most important to you. The NavNet Remote App lets you take full control of your NavNet TZtouch by allowing you to remotely operate your TZtouch with your Apple mobile device over WiFi, when connected to the network (other mobile platforms to be supported in the future).

NavNet TZtouch is supplied with FREE official NOAA raster and vector charts, as well as bathymetric data for the entire U.S. coastline. C-Map by Jeppesen vector charts for North America that have been converted to the MapMedia format, are also provided. All above listed charts are preloaded onto a 64GB SD card that is supplied with each TZtouch MFD. The system automatically reads the free charts from the SD card, as well as allowing you to unlock the C-Map data after an unlock code has been purchased. You can also connect an optional USB Hard Drive or Jump Drive that is loaded with charts and hi-res satellite photos for the entire world, and the MFD will read directly from the drive, eliminating the need for multiple SD cards. All of these charts can be viewed in 2D or 3D on the fly, with seamless and instantaneous chart redraw. In addition to the charts, Furuno also offers high-resolution satellite photography that can be fused with the raster or vector charts, using their patented Satellite PhotoFusionTM. The satellite photos for the US are available for FREE from the Furuno USA web site.

All of Furuno’s award-winning network components work with NavNet TZtouch. Along with up to six displays, you can add real time, dual-range UHD Radar, Digital Fish Finders, AIS, Weather Fax, Sirius Satellite Weather, IP Cameras, as well as NMEA2000 and Furuno CAN bus devices. If you have NMEA0183 devices you want to connect, Furuno offers an NMEA0183 to CAN bus converter. With all of these options, total control truly is at your fingertips with NavNet TZtouch.