ShipSpotting.com Forum

Shipspotters all over the world => Help and Advice => Topic started by: William Nunn on April 04, 2011, 11:54:59 AM

Title: shiptrax release date
Post by: William Nunn on April 04, 2011, 11:54:59 AM
i read that this has not reached retail stores yet. any news on the eta for the package? this would make sense for me, a first time ship spotter with a portable laptop, so i can go for weekends to felixstowe.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on April 12, 2011, 02:26:20 PM
Looks like it's been delayed again until end-June:

http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=6069.msg64328#msg64328

Why doesn't AirNav update us first here?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on April 13, 2011, 08:53:03 AM
I just found this diary (http://radarspotters.eu/forum/index.php/topic,1998.msg32906.html#msg32906) of all the AirNav annnouncements about the Shiptrax release.  Makes interesting reading.  Makes me wonder if it will ever be released.  It's already 2 years behind schedule.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Kelvin Davies on April 24, 2011, 08:32:14 AM
Quote from: Harry Sundance on April 13, 2011, 08:53:03 AM
I just found this diary (http://radarspotters.eu/forum/index.php/topic,1998.msg32906.html#msg32906) of all the AirNav annnouncements about the Shiptrax release.  Makes interesting reading.  Makes me wonder if it will ever be released.  It's already 2 years behind schedule.

It is worse than that Harry.
It is more than 3 years late.
If you follow the Shiptrax forum you will see the first announcement was in 2007. Then a proposed ship date was March 2008.
At first it was software only. Then it became software and hardware.
The price went from 500 Euros to 59 Euros.
The software has been variously 99% complete; 90% complete, pick any number% complete.
The stage has been reached where there seems little point in it.
I use MarineTraffic, even when I am sat on the beach at Calshot, getting data via a mobile phone internet connection.
Kelvin
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on April 26, 2011, 05:35:25 AM
First of all thanks for all your interest in ShipTrax.
We are totally aware of the HUGE delay in releasing this brand new AIS receiver which was developed thinking in ship enthusiasts (just like RadarBox is for aviation enthusiasts).

ShipTrax first units assembly date is scheduled for Jun 1st so it will be released just after the units are shipped to dealers / aprox in mid June.

It's a long wait: not only for you but also for all of us at AirNav Systems. We haev more than one hundred dealers waiting for it for doznes of months, receive weekly emails asking about the release date. But fortunately this is reaching an end.

The best of all is that Ship enthusiasts will finally have the tracking system they deserve with included log, network, real-time ship information, etc. The software looks amazing and the hardware has simultaneous ethernet, serial and USB output. During the tests it has received 125% to 150% more messages compared with the existing AIS receivers.

So just a few more weeks and it will be finally ready.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Sinisa Aljinovic on April 26, 2011, 06:11:51 AM
Would like to hear from competitors what they have to say after ..."it has received 125% to 150% more messages compared with existing AIS receivers.
So, wake up Comar,Digital Yachts,Furuno, Nasa, Weatherdock,Smart Radio, AMEC and others.This must be something special!? Must be sensitivity better than -114dBm? ???
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Christopher Gray on April 26, 2011, 07:25:14 AM
My comparison of AIS messages received over a 30 minute period, showing 40% more messages received on ShipTrax compared to my Comar receiver.  Obviously not the most scientific of tests, but a reasonable comparison over a one hour period.

COMAR AIS2USB
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5226787899_5ede762e78_m_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5226787899/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5226787899/sizes/o/in/photostream/

SHIPTRAX Beta Hardware
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5227382818_157c368e2e_m_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5227382818/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5227382818/sizes/o/in/photostream/

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5515422018_78a9b6de53_m_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5515422018/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Ken Anderson on April 26, 2011, 08:42:55 AM
Looks good Chris.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on May 12, 2011, 08:49:41 AM
We've started today the last stage of the ShipTrax software development. We hope to release the system by mid June 2011. It is looking amazing and this has been a big challenge for AirNav Systems. I'm sure are ship enthusiasts will love it as aviation enthusiasts love RadarBox. We will share further news when we have them.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 20, 2011, 10:39:40 AM
Hows Shiptrax doing?

It was mid June about 5 days ago.  Any news on the release date and price?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 23, 2011, 01:54:03 AM
That's affirm we are still delayed with it this time because of software fine tuning. It shouldn't take more than 2 weeks to have the software totally finished. Cost will be similar to RadarBox. and will be announced on airnavsystems.com website.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 23, 2011, 11:54:42 AM
Thanks for the update.

Why is the software always "nearly finished"?  I've seen posts in other forums where you said the same thing in 2008?  Is it going to be that complicated?

Look forward to the release which I hope will be soon.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 23, 2011, 04:10:50 PM
Hi Harry, that is a good question. If it would only depend on us it would have been released two years ago but unfortunately there are a lot of factors that we can't control.

Anyway the good thing is that:
- The hardware has impressive performance capturing a much higher number of messages than all the other receivers we have tried (sometimes 40% and 50% more) in exactly the same conditions;
- The software is very similar to AirNav RadaBox (for aviation) which has now thousands of happy users so a guaranteed success.

We appreciate all the patience of the users that have waited far too long but we're sure it will be a 100% success.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 23, 2011, 09:39:48 PM
OK thanks, I'll make a note to check back in two weeks time, around 8th July.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 24, 2011, 12:09:12 AM
As I write this message the last corrections on the software are being implemented. The hardware is finished.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 11:34:51 AM
Thats good to hear.

If the receiver is as good as some say, it should do well.

Look forward to the launch.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 02:00:46 PM
Just seen a post on another forum where a Shiptrax beta tester says testing is still ongoing and could delay the launch.  Is testing still happening?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 24, 2011, 02:08:15 PM
That is affirmative, we are still fine tuning some software features.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 02:30:48 PM
Now Im totally confused?

Either the software is finished or it isn't?  If it's finished, is there still testing happening?  If it, how can you predict a release date?

This is just what you've been saying for 3 years.  I dont know if I can believe anything you say anymore.

I don't know if I can wait for Shiptrax.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Fergal Clohessy on June 24, 2011, 03:05:28 PM
then I suggest you dont wait.
patience is a virtue my friend. nagging will not bring the release date any closer!!
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 04:50:11 PM
I didnt think I was nagging.  Airnav has been telling everyone for the last three years that  Shiptrax development is finished and it will be released soon or next month.

I've seen a list on another forum of all the Airnav announcements going back to 2008 when it said in April 2008 that Shiptrax would be ready by mid-August 2008.  Three years is a very big delay!!

This is just 2011:

January 2011
We have great news for all the fans waiting for ShipTrax: today AirNav Systems and its beta testing team finally approved the ShipTrax AIS receiver with very good results on 1-on-1 tests against competitor products.
So at this stage we have given the green light for the factory to start mass production of ShipTrax units.
Unfortunately this is something that takes some time due to several parts being shipped from many companies all over the world: we expect the first units to reach the market by mid April 2011.
Again we hope you feel happy about this: the ship enthusiast community will finally have an outstanding product that will revolutionize the market just like RadarBox did.
Again thanks for all your support.

April 2011
Unfortunately the production of hardware units for ShipTrax have been delayed due to parts shortages and a revised time for the launch for ShipTrax will be at the end of June.

We will provide a further update towards the start of June with more details and prices. We are hoping we can increase the production output once the parts have been shipped in and have an earlier launch date.

May 2011
We are getting really close to the release of the ShipTrax system.

Beta testing has started a long time ago and the software development is almost finished: at this stage we are looking for beta testers with:
- Experience with AirNav RadarBox;
- Experience with ship tarcking systems (ShipPlotter);

We will then select some new beta testers to further test ShipTrax.
Tks.

May 2011
We've started today the last stage of the ShipTrax software development. We hope to release the system by mid June 2011. It is looking amazing and this has been a big challenge for AirNav Systems. I'm sure are ship enthusiasts will love it as aviation enthusiasts love RadarBox. We will share further news when we have them.

27 May 2011
ShipTrax is more addictive than RadarBox...it's almost out.

23 June 2011
That's affirm we are still delayed with it this time because of software fine tuning. It shouldn't take more than 2 weeks to have the software totally finished. Cost will be similar to RadarBox. and will be announced on airnavsystems.com website.

23 June 2011
Hi Harry, that is a good question. If it would only depend on us it would have been released two years ago but unfortunately there are a lot of factors that we can't control.

Anyway the good thing is that:
- The hardware has impressive performance capturing a much higher number of messages than all the other receivers we have tried (sometimes 40% and 50% more) in exactly the same conditions;
- The software is very similar to AirNav RadaBox (for aviation) which has now thousands of happy users so a guaranteed success.

We appreciate all the patience of the users that have waited far too long but we're sure it will be a 100% success.

24 June 2011
As I write this message the last corrections on the software are being implemented. The hardware is finished.

24 June 2011
That is affirmative, we are still fine tuning some software features.

I think I've every reason to ask what's happening when the previously announced deadline has passed.  If thats nagging so be it.  There's always a different excuse - parts, software, Christmas, weddings, ash cloud!  I think this tests everyones patience.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Christopher Gray on June 24, 2011, 05:53:56 PM
Quote from: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 02:30:48 PM
Either the software is finished or it isn't?  If it's finished, is there still testing happening?

Would you prefer to have software that hasn't been tested?

Andre said "the last corrections on the software are being implemented".  Obviously, those corrections have to be tested by us beta-testers before the software can be considered "finished".
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 24, 2011, 08:06:50 PM
What I'd prefer is honesty instead of 3 years of broken promises.

How can anyone have any faith in Airnav after all this?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 24, 2011, 09:38:47 PM
You will feel happy when you have your ShipTrax decoding 40% more messages than the competitors and we're sure you will forget the delays.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: BobS on June 25, 2011, 12:11:17 AM
I live 1 km/one third of a mile from - and can see from my windows -  the banks of the lower Thames and the ships that sail thereon.
I also have the choice of at least two completely free and real-time AIS sites that can tell me what ships are coming - if I have not already sen them from my window.  How could I possibly benefit from buying Shiptrax?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on June 25, 2011, 05:34:40 AM
Bob, having your own decoder and a dedicated Windows Software compared with watching traffic on a website could be compared to watching a football game on the field or at home on your TV.

The same question could be asked by thousands of RadarBox users who join the system every year: why buy a RadarBox unit if there are so many websites tracking aircraft nowadays?

With the ShipTrax software (which is based on AirNav's successful RadarBox software which has thousands of users nowadays) you will be able to do many things you could never do on the website you visit: you can keep a log of received ships, generate reports, create screen shots, generate alerts, run the software and track ships without being connected to the internet, generate filters, keep track of you own fleet.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 25, 2011, 07:26:36 AM
Yes Andre it sounds fantastic. What I can't fathom (excuse the pun) is why its taking so long if it's based on Radarbox?  This isnt rocket science.

The other problem is buying Radarbox is expensive (
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: henrycourt on June 25, 2011, 08:29:00 AM
could bob let us know the "free" and real time ais sites he refers to. Of course the best one is the one you have to pay lots of money for 1 Rgds jw ???
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Glenn Towler on June 25, 2011, 10:33:29 AM
So Andre let me make sure I understand the Shiptrax system correctly; basicly it works on the AIS System, providing additional information am I right?

If I am wrong please correct me, but if so it will be of no use to us shipspotters down here in Hobart where there are a couple of AIS reciving stations that are infrequently turned on.

And now any ships coming to load forestry products turn their AIS off about a week out from port.

Glenn
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Christopher Gray on June 26, 2011, 10:56:21 AM
Quote from: Glenn Towler on June 25, 2011, 10:33:29 AM
basicly it works on the AIS System, providing additional information am I right?

Correct.  ShipTrax is a combination of:
1. AIS Receiver
2. ShipTrax software to display the ship positions, details, photos, etc.  Log ships received, generate daily reports, provide alerts, fleet-watch, etc.....
3. ShipTrax network, tracking 8000+ ships globally and displaying these in the ShipTrax software.

So, for example, this screenshot shows the ShipTrax software tracking ships from my ShipTrax beta hardware, a TCP/IP feed from shipplotter (via. SP2TRAX), and the ShipTrax network.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/5764537408_5ff77d59bf_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5764537408/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Kelvin Davies on June 26, 2011, 03:57:03 PM
Hmm!
8,000 ships in exchange for hundreds of pounds outlay, plus a monthly network fee?
Compare to Marine Traffic; as I write there are 30,357 vessels in range, shows ships in real time and costs nothing.
And of course, Ship Plotter costs nothing too, beyond the initial licence fee of 25 Euros.
It is going to be a hard sell.
Kelvin
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on June 26, 2011, 04:47:20 PM
Someone said the 8,000 records are coming from other AIS receivers that are feeding to another sharing network.  Not even Shiptrax users.

So you end up paying for data that's second-hand, "borrowed" from others.  I don't think there's a business case but lets see how good ShipTrax is.  It ought to be, its taken 3 years to get right.

.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on August 02, 2011, 01:35:04 PM
Is there any more news about the Shiptrax release?
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Andre Brandao on August 02, 2011, 03:42:37 PM
Harry, there is a proper forum to discuss ShipTrax related issues at http://forum.airnavsystems.com

Please go to that forum to put your ShipTrax questions.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on August 02, 2011, 04:34:04 PM
I went there and it says pre-release before end of July?  Cant we ask questions here anymore?

Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on August 02, 2011, 06:58:40 PM
Quote from: Ken Smith on August 02, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
Just curious Harry, why would you expect to ask questions on this Website when ShipTrax have their own Website and a Forum, surely that is the place for you to ask your questions.

I didnt start this message thread and no one stopped me or others posting questions about ShipTrax before.  Andre even replied to other questions and didnt tell me to to go away.  Wheres the Shiptrax website?

Theres also a big advert for Shiptrax on your Home page and Airnav owns the forum so I thought it was OK to carry one with the message thread.  I also thought the forum covered ship spotting as a hobby and wasn't only for photos.  The forum section is called "Shipspotters all over the world - Help and Advice. Sorry, I wont ask again.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Kelvin Davies on August 03, 2011, 07:02:42 AM
Ken,
I realise I am getting on a bit and the rarefied air here in the Asir mountains may be dulling my senses but I seem to remember a declared aim/motive for the acquisition of this site was to augment the forthcoming release of ShipTrax. Ship Spotting.com is to be the source for photographs that form an integral part of ShipTrax.
Going back through the forum history, I think I can spot a possible selective editing process too. While looking for the original announcements, I see the forum jumps rather rapidly through 2009 with no mention of the original posts on the acquisition of the site. Where did they go?
Anyway, as the 2 sites are hind in hand, I think it is a bit disingenuous to castigate a member who asked a valid question.
Andre has made 8 replies in this thread without once mentioning that one should go elsewhere for information. The chance/right time to do this was when the thread first began.
I have followed the ShipTrax & AirNav forums for some time and I hope we are not going to go down the same route in terms of the rather severe moderation policies they have. (They ban members for criticisms)
Kelvin
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Christopher Gray on August 03, 2011, 08:30:54 AM
Quote from: Harry Sundance on August 02, 2011, 04:34:04 PM
I went there and it says pre-release before end of July?

No, Airnav actually say (http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=5229.msg67736#msg67736):
"...... so if all goes Ok we will pre-release before July. If corrections are still needed we will wait a few more days."

As a current beta-tester, I suggest that it will be a few more days yet.

The best place to get information about the ShipTrax development and release is the ShipTrax forum at http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?board=7.0 where I'm sure the latest news about it will appear first.
Title: Re: shiptrax release date
Post by: Harry Sundance on August 03, 2011, 09:00:20 AM
Quote from: Ken Smith on August 03, 2011, 08:11:17 AM
As I have told Harry, ask as many questions as you wish in the Forum but do not expect any answers from us, we simply do not have them.

Who is "us"?

I belong to many forums, from cars to DIY.  I always thought they worked on mutual self help and its not expected that moderators should have all the answers.

As Kelvin says, Andre was happy to answer questions but suddenly he now avoids them? Shiptrax is supposed to be for shipspotters and as the leading forum this seemed the right place to post the question.  Im not interested in aviation and the AirNav forum is 99% aircraft.

But Ive got the message.