Make a VHF radio call from the anywhere in the cockpit. Command your radar or Chartplotter from inside your trawler’s cabin. Access advanced autopilot features such as Contour Track Steering and Pattern Steering from the tuna tower of your blue water sport fisher. All these capabilities and many more are possible with Simrad’s new Remote Commander, an exclusive marine remote control system that acts as a wireless waterproof VHF handset and provides control of autopilots, instruments, VHF, Chartplotter, echo sounders and combination navigators from anywhere on a vessel.

This breakthrough product is ideal for a wide range of vessels, from motor yachts and offshore battlewagons to sailboats and small commercial fishing boats. Simrad engineers developed Remote Commander using Bluetooth Class 1 wireless technology to provide freedom of movement and dependable control of one instrument or an entire suite of Simrad electronics from up to 300 feet away.

Simrad’s SimNet advanced marine network system empowers the Remote Commander with unparalleled functionality and flexibility. Simply connect the base unit to the SimNet network—it requires no separate power supply—and you’ve got a wire free mobile handset for Simrad’s RS80 Series VHF radios. Its true power, however, lies in its ability to control a wide range of products. Remote Commander is compatible with Simrad’s new AP16 Series and award-winning AP24/28 Series autopilots, as well as popular Simrad TP22, TP32 pilots. It lets navigators steer the vessel from anywhere onboard by entering easy course adjustments on the convenient NavPad. It provides wireless control of Simrad’s advanced steering features and gives navigators a heading information display in the palm of their hands. Among the advantages this offers is the ability for offshore anglers to remotely steer as they watch for weedlines, current breaks or signs of life from the tower—without the need for a second station or pilot.

With Remote Commander linked to Simrad’s popular NX40/45 GPS/chart plotters/Radar systems and IS20 series Instruments, boaters can change views, zoom, scroll cursor and have full MOB control from anywhere. Working with Simrad's new NX40/45 Navstation multi-function units, boaters can remotely operate GPS/chart plotter/sounder /radar functions for seamless operation of autopilot and navigation.

Remote Commander also allows boaters to make VHF calls from the wireless handset, select a channel and press PTT, make easy volume and squelch adjustments or call the crew on the intercom—all from any part of the vessel. All this adds up to an unprecedented level of information, control and confidence for the navigator.

Remote Commander was designed for ease of operation. With only a few keys and the circular NavPad, the main functions of all the systems in the network can be accessed with a minimum of button presses. The display/menu can be customized by the user to suit individual needs and boating styles. Remote Commander's display offers a white backlight for daytime use and a red backlight for night cruising. A simple keypad lock prevents operations from being performed accidentally.