Global Settings

The Global Settings Window

Application-wide configuration and display settings.

Open the Global Settings window using the Global Settings button on the Main Toolbar.

The Global Settings window contains options for for settings that are applied application-wide, such as depth and distance units, import defaults and map settings.

The settings window is split into a number of pages, which can be accessed by clicking the appropriate tab header.

Display

Display Units settings determine how values are displayed within the ReefMaster application. The display page also contains settings for the background map and default palettes.

Display Units

Depth and Distance

Depth and distance can be shown in imperial/US measurements, which shows feet for depth and miles/yards for distance, or metric, with metres for depth and kilometres/metres for distance.

The choice of depth units affects the contour line spacings that are generated in map projects; contour lines are generated on natural boundaries of the selected unit, for example 3 feet or 1 metre. Changing the depth unit in use will cause contour lines for existing map projects to be regenerated.

GPS Coordinates

GPS coordinates can be shown in one of three formats:

·Degrees, minutes, seconds (DD.mm.ss)

·Degrees, minutes, decimal minutes (DD.mm.ddd)

·Decimal degrees (DD.dddddd)

Note that all GPS coordinates within ReefMaster use the WGS84 datum. ReefMaster does not convert between GPS datums.

Time

Show times as Local or UTC (Universal Time Coordinated, functionally equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time).

Assets are assigned a time zone which is used to calculate the local time for display. This allows different assets to maintain different time zones if required. Note that all times are stored internally as UTC and the Show Times As.. option only changes how these times are displayed.

Temperature

Choose between Centigrade of Fahrenheit for water temperature readings.

Speed

The speed units setting affects the speed display on the Live Data Panel and be one of knots, Mph (miles per hour) or KMph (kilometres per hour).

Background Maps

Show Maps by Default

Background maps can be shown in the graphical edit windows.

Individual edit windows have the option to show or hide background maps. The Show Maps by Default option determines whether maps are shown or not when an edit window is first opened. Since map tiles are downloaded as required, it can be useful to uncheck this option when operating ReefMaster with reduced or zero internet connectivity.

Map Source

Map providers can be chosen from a selection in the drop-down list. Not all map providers provide maps for all locations at all zoom levels. For example, Map Quest Ariel provides much more detail over the continental US than for the rest of the world. Choose the map provider that provides the best results for your area of interest.

Default Palettes

The default palettes for map projects and tracks can be selected using the drop-down list boxes.

Import/Export

GPS Import

Assign default values for use during the GPS Import process.

Values set here will be used by default during the import process. These values can also be changed during the import process.

Default Timezone

The default time zone that is assigned to imported GPS assets. By default, this is the time zone set in the operating system.

Default Equipment

To simplify switching source devices during import, values associated with specific GPS/Sounder devices, such as Cone Angle and Keel Offset are grouped together into a GPS Equipment Profile. Change the profile used by default during import by selecting a profile from the drop-down list box. To add a new profile, or edit an existing one, use the Edit button.

Third Party Applications

ReefMaster can integrate with some third party applications.

WxTide

WXTide is a free program that provides tidal predictions for much of the world. ReefMaster can use tide information from WXTide to tide adjust track-point depths. This is important for accurate mapping in tidal waters. WXTide can be installed from http://www.wxtide32.com. Once installed, locate the WXTide32.exe application file using the Browse button.

In a default installation, the application will be in directory “C:\Program Files (x86)\WXTide32”.

slg2txt.exe

Slg2Txt is a program provided by Lowrance™, as part of their SonarViewer application, that converts sonar log recording files to text files that can be imported into ReefMaster as track logs with depth information. Once SonarViewer is installed, use the Browse button to locate the slg2txt.exe application file.

In a default installation, the application will be in directory “C:\Program Files (x86)\Lowrance Electronics\Sonar Viewer<version_number>”.

Insight Map Creator

The Insight Map Creator is a free tool from Navico that processes ESRI Shapefiles to create maps in the AT5 format, suitable for use in Lowrance and Simrad GPS units. ReefMaster is able to run the IMC automatically so that AT5 maps can be created without having to run the IMC separately. In order to do this, the location of the installed InsightMapCreator.exe must be known.

The Insight Map Creator can be downloaded from the Navico Insight Store, on the Insight Planner tab.

For integration with ReefMaster, IMC v0.66 or greater must be installed.

AT5 Colour Compatibility

AT5 is a map file format used by Navico devices, which are compatible with a wide range of Lowrance and Simrad devices.

AT5 maps have a range of features and colour options that are not compatible with all units. When styling user maps or custom palettes, it can be useful to restrict the available styles to those that are compatible with the target system. In practice, this means that certain colours may be removed from the colour selection list, and the transparency option may be disabled.

Select the required compatibility from one of Common, Indigo or NOS. NOS includes transparency options and the full range of colours. Transparency options will be disabled if Indigo or Common are selected, and a smaller subset of colours is offered.

Note that this option is simply a "helper" to prevent certain styles or colours being applied to maps within ReefMaster that will result in their displaying incorrectly on older units. The compatibility setting can be changed without affecting any existing maps or palettes.

Navico device compatibility guide

·NOS - all generation Lowrance HDS, Simrad NSS and NSE units.

·Indigo - Lowrance Elite and Mark units

·Common - Lowrance LMS and LMX units.

Live Data

See Live Data Configuration, where settings for the live data connection, such as serial port configuration and NMEA sentences, can be configured.

Palette Editor

Palettes for map projects, the sonar viewer and track points can be created and edited in the Palette Editor.

Sonar Viewer

Default settings for each of the sonar viewer channels can be set on this page. These settings can also be updated from the sonar viewer, using the right-menu option Use current settings as default.

(1) Palette

(2) Brightness

(3) Contrast

(4) Show by default

Show this channel if available when opening the sonar viewer.

(5) Show the depth scale

(6) Slant range correct.

Only available for the side-scan channel

(7) Automatic gain adjustment

Only available for the side-scan channel