New Zealand-based Vortex Marine has introduced Scout, a 10.1-inch portable marine navigator designed to merge electronic navigational charts with multi-source satellite imagery. The device’s defining feature is an interactive slider that allows mariners to seamlessly transition between traditional vector chart contours and overhead satellite views of reefs, passes, or anchorages on a single screen.
Operating on the proprietary PolarisOS, Scout provides subscription-free core navigation alongside optional Polaris+ tiers for advanced weather, AIS, and high-resolution imagery downloads. The hardware interfaces with existing onboard systems via Wi-Fi to display live NMEA 2000 sensor data, synchronize routes with compatible B&G and Simrad chartplotters, and manage vessel documentation alongside cloud-connected passage planning tools.
- 10.1-inch, 1,000-nit sunlight-readable touchscreen supporting wet-finger and glove operation
- 14,600 mAh internal battery
- IP65 dust and water-jet resistance and MIL-STD-810G drop-testing compliance
- PolarisOS core navigation with optional Polaris+ tiers starting at $44 USD per quarter
- NMEA 2000 data integration and Wi-Fi compatibility with B&G and Simrad plotters
- Retail price: $1,279 USD
