Setting up Instruments

TimeZero can utilize information from many different instruments on your boat. A GPS will be the most common type of instrument used, but depth sounders, speed sensors, wind vanes, and AIS receivers can also supply information to TimeZero.

Instruments can be connected to the PC through an NMEA0183 interface (serial port), through the Network (if a Furuno NavNet MFD or Ethernet sensor is used) or through NMEA2000 (using the Actisense NGT-1 USB Gateway).

  • Serial Port: In most cases, connecting an NMEA0183 instrument to a computer is straightforward, and is accomplished by simply connecting the serial cable supplied by the instrument manufacturer to the serial port on the PC. The serial port is a nine-pin male port on the back of the computer often identified by an IO or COM symbol.

  • Serial to USB adapter: Newer computers – especially laptops – may not include a serial port. One can be added by using a serial-to-USB adapter, which can be obtained from any marine dealer. A serial-to-USB adapter will create a "virtual COM port" on your computer that can be viewed in the "COM and Ports" section of the Device Manager.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure to install the USB adapter drivers BEFORE connecting the USB cable of the adapter to the computer!

  • Actisense NGT-1-USB (old style) & NGX-1-USB (new Style): The Actisense NGT-1-USB and NGX-1-USB are USB to NMEA2000 adapters which allow TimeZero to receive data from a NMEA2000 bus and output navigation data to an auto-pilot.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure to install the USB adapter drivers BEFORE connecting the Actisense adapter to the computer! Also note that TimeZero is NOT compatible with the Actisense NGT-1-ISO or NGX-1-ISO that use a serial connection.

  • Active USB GPS antenna is an easy way to provide the software with a vessel’s position.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure to install the GPS USB drivers BEFORE connecting the USB cable of the GPS to the computer!

  • Ethernet: If the boat is equipped with a NavNet series Furuno Chart Plotter or Sensor, your computer can be connected to the NavNet network using a standard Ethernet Cable. Assign a fixed IP address to the computer connected to the NavNet network such as 172.31.3.150 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.

    Note that any NMEA0183 to Ethernet gateway or NMEA0183 to WIFI can also be used (by setting up a UDP or TCP connection).

Tips: For more information about installing Radar, Sounder and Camera please refer to the Installation chapter.

Automatic Instrument Configuration

TimeZero can locate most instruments connected to the computer automatically. To use this feature, start TimeZero in "Navigation" mode to enable sensor and instrument connections. Next, launch the Automatic Configuration Wizard:

  • Click on the "TimeZero" Button located on the top left of the screen

  • Click on "Connection Wizard"

  • Select the "Automatic Ports Configuration"; and then, click "Next"

  • Follow the on-screen instructions

Tips: For more information about connecting instruments, please refer to the Connection Wizard Chapter.

Note: The Connection Wizard option will not appear when the software is started in "Home Planning" mode