HelmCommander is HERE! Born on CDC by CDC members and brought to you on CDC!

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03-26-2021, 05:55 PM
HelmCommander

HelmCommander is HERE! Born on CDC by CDC members and brought to you on CDC!

HI Everyone, (Baitwaster here)

HelmCommander was born today!
What's that you say?
HelmCommander is the link between the brands. Without any hardware or software modifications you can connect a Garmin or Lowance to a Minn Kota, a Humminbird or Garmin to a MotorGuide.

After many many long hours we have decoded Garmin, Humminbrid/Minn Kota, and MotorGuide/Lowrance. The custom circuit board design was sent at 4:45pm to the circuit manufacturer.
We expect to begin selling mid May 2021.

We still have a lot of work do...code to write, apps to build, and testing lots of testing.
So if you see a guy on the lake with 4 trolling motors on the front driving in circles, come say Hi and check it out!

Keep your eyes peeled to CDC and HelmCommander.com for updates.
We'll see you at the Missouri crappie camp!
03-26-2021, 06:20 PM
Rojo

Sounds very creative...............we wish you the best of success for working to integrate the equipment pool. If it works, previous unusable equipment laying in garages, boat houses, even pickup beds will have a new usefulness possible. With the rise in today's costs of durable goods equipment purchases boaters will be able to interface their "Old" with the "New and Improved". I see guys talking about MEGA this or that, I am still using an original Helix 10 KVD. It's going to have to die before I replace it. I still regret selling my old 899. Both work as well as the day I bought them.
03-26-2021, 06:57 PM
Cane Pole

Great to hear this! My Morse code key broke. So did my Baudot key, my ascii key. Good luck. I am an old machine coder.
03-26-2021, 08:29 PM
Redge

Sounds great!!

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03-26-2021, 08:40 PM
lowe rider

I could loan you my old J38 straight key if you really need it. :dono
03-26-2021, 09:56 PM
Baitwaster

Keep the comments coming.
We're really excited about the product and what you all think about it.

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03-26-2021, 10:51 PM
Chuck Adams

Just wondering what the price tag is going to be??

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03-26-2021, 10:54 PM
Centurion

Following.
03-27-2021, 08:47 AM
BuckeyeCrappie

Congrats, I can’t even remember the house door codes!
03-27-2021, 09:40 AM
Clint

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Great to hear this! My Morse code key broke. So did my Baudot key, my ascii key. Good luck. I am an old machine coder.

I've got a Bencher Iambic sitting in front of my radios if'n ya need it...
03-27-2021, 10:08 AM
Slab

Awesome news, best of luck. PM sent.
03-27-2021, 11:29 AM
Baitwaster

I'm not entirely sure what the rules and etiquette are for answering this openly. Check out HelmCommander - HelmCommander for more info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

Just wondering what the price tag is going to be??

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
03-27-2021, 12:38 PM
Slab

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baitwaster

I'm not entirely sure what the rules and etiquette are for answering this openly. Check out HelmCommander - HelmCommander for more info.

All new member sponsors are allowed one introductory post on the main forum. This post is it. Good luck and thank you for your support. Advertising after this intro is restricted to the member sponsors "signature", and the Member Sponsor Classified Ads forum.

And instead of just sending folks to your site via a link, I'd prefer you post some of that info in this "intro thread", and also include a link. By having more links on the Internet to your site from other sites will help your site out. And not just links, links with some info are best.
03-27-2021, 07:21 PM
RoughriverRick

Will this allow me to use the follow the contour feature on my helix with my force trolling motor?
03-27-2021, 08:19 PM
Chuck Adams

I have a wire stretcher and bag used for catching snipes I’m not using.

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03-27-2021, 10:14 PM
Baitwaster

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoughriverRick

Will this allow me to use the follow the contour feature on my helix with my force trolling motor?

That's exactly how it works. However, we haven't been anticipating too many people wanting to link a Force to a non Garmin. We have decoded it, but writing the software for the Force is our lowest priority. There is a good chance we'll have it done when we release this Spring.
03-27-2021, 11:52 PM
Baitwaster

So how it works

HelmCommander is a translator, an emulator, a middle man, a go between, you get the idea. What it doesn't do is modify your existing equipment in any way. No worrying about warranties. It allows your favorite trolling motor to connect to your favorite chart plotter for autopilot and navigation.
Since we do not modify any software a Lowrance or Garmin FF can not stow/deploy an Ulterra. There may be similar type features that you wont get, but for the most part it will work as you expect.
The box is about 4x3x2. It has a program button to pair with your phone. You use your phone to tell HelmCommander which equipment you have (once).
At this time all trolling motors and chart plotters must have a network link feature and support navigation. The box has an Ethernet and marine network connector to mate with your hardware. Motorguide requires a gateway and marine network. Minn Kota connects directly to the box. Lowrance requires a marine network while Humminbird needs an Ethernet cable (Helix and older models need an Ethernet adapter cable). Garmin FF and TM are wireless and neither require any additional hardware.
We plan to sell online for $399 but are exploring options with distributors and retailers (PM me if your interested in selling).

This all started when my bow unit died. You all know the pains related to finding the right units for today and budgeting for tomorrow. Well I work for a tiny engineering company and was with my boss/buddy looking for a new chart plotter. He saw me agonizing as I was shopping and...BOOM HelmCommander!

We want to demystify marine electronics, make it easier to plan your boat, and give anglers the peace of mind knowing that jumping on a good deal today won't inhibit their options later. We also want to enable sales people to help us (fisherpeople) better. Imagine how many more sales they will complete when the customer CAN have everything.
The big 5(4) companies all make fantastic products for us (we know them inside and out now). We want to see everyone succeed. We believe that HelmCommander will not just make a splash, but boost sales for all.

We have decoded all the players, successfully controlled them, and designed our circuit board, but we still have lots to do (like make better webpages). So stay tune for more updates. Keep the questions and suggestions coming!
03-28-2021, 05:25 AM
Ketchn

technology far outpaces me ,but I get the idea and as we evolve in the world of marine electronics it will have its place I am sure .
luck to ya on the endeavor :highfive
03-28-2021, 05:41 AM
BroKenneth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

I have a wire stretcher and bag used for catching snipes I’m not using.

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Do you have the whistle that goes with the kit?

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03-28-2021, 07:36 AM
Redge

Cool idea, watching this product now.

Another cool, free idea.
Wifi connection of FF on a boat with no pulling cables. Network
I am so tired of pulling.

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03-28-2021, 08:19 AM
Mmirg

I'm very interested in this. So I could tell my terrova to go to a waypoint marked on my 73sv plus unit? That would be awesome.

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03-28-2021, 08:22 AM
"G"

You keep saying WE..... just who is WE ?
03-28-2021, 09:43 AM
Baitwaster

Actually I'm very interested in your chart plotter. I think yours was released before Garmin had a trolling motor which means the 73sv probably does not have any navigation features. I think this is the unit my dad has. I'll play with his this afternoon and see.

Its possible that Garmin included the Wi-Fi and a software update might be all that's needed, if anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmirg

I'm very interested in this. So I could tell my terrova to go to a waypoint marked on my 73sv plus unit? That would be awesome.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
03-28-2021, 09:57 AM
Baitwaster

My buddy and boss Sean is we. He is the man behind the curtain, the real brains. Me, I just wanna fish.
Sean describes himself as a technology mercenary. He can (and has many times) slide in and save a hardware or software company. His parent company is Malmoset.
We met several years ago when he saved my hardware design for Transportant.
[QUOTE="G";4122287]You keep saying WE..... just who is WE ?[/QUOTE]
We met several years ago when Sean fixed my hardware design for [URL="http://transportant.com"]Transportant[/URL].
03-28-2021, 10:16 AM
Baitwaster

You and me both. Ducers are the worst!
HelmCommander actually has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Without additional hardware and software changes that could introduce legal concerns, we can't add wireless to the wired devices.
What we can do, and have already done is mimic the remotes. This poses a couple hurdles for us. The first is that we have to write a lot of software to use the remotes in a way the chart plotter expects. The second is that we'll need ZigBee and additional Bluetooth radios - this means we have to undergo longer FCC certification. If HelmCommander has the traction we're hoping for, you can bet we will do it. This will mean I-pilot NON link would be linkable to Humminbird, Lowrance, and Garmin. This would be a small add on device to HelmCommander, not a redesign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redge

Cool idea, watching this product now.

Another cool, free idea.
Wifi connection of FF on a boat with no pulling cables. Network
I am so tired of pulling.

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
03-28-2021, 04:15 PM
HelmCommander

The baitwaster has handed this account off to me so he can keep his identity. We're planning to spend this coming week on the water testing, so my head's buried in preparations for that. Once we're doing useful stuff and ready for outside testing/feedback, you'll hear more from me.

Sean
03-28-2021, 10:29 PM
Pirogue

Have to see it to believe it.
03-28-2021, 10:46 PM
Baitwaster

We thought some might say that. We'll shoot some video and post soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirogue

Have to see it to believe it.
03-29-2021, 06:36 PM
Baitwaster

The 73sv did not support trolling motor navigation. Surprisingly it looks like it has a wireless adapter (I could see the antenna but didn't have the tools to check the inspect the radio). The original manual does not hint about trolling motor support. This doesn't mean an update wasn't issued.
Well will have to reevaluate this after launch. It would make my dad happy if we get this going.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmirg

I'm very interested in this. So I could tell my terrova to go to a waypoint marked on my 73sv plus unit? That would be awesome.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
05-03-2021, 07:35 AM
HelmCommander

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirogue

Have to see it to believe it.

We're engineers, not video producers, so you'll have to cut us a little slack on the production quality, or lack thereof.
Here's a quick demo showing a Garmin UHD 73sv controlling an Ulterra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVq9pZKnZuM
05-03-2021, 11:04 AM
Cane Pole

I am impressed. IMA old circuit designer by trade. Relays, RTL, DTL, TTL, CMOS, LSI, 6502, 6800, 8080, etc.
05-03-2021, 05:37 PM
Baitwaster

I missed that you said "plus".
We're using the 73sv+ for development. ...so, yes, it could.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmirg

I'm very interested in this. So I could tell my terrova to go to a waypoint marked on my 73sv plus unit? That would be awesome.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
05-05-2021, 06:55 AM
HelmCommander

1 Attachment(s)

First prototype board arrived yesterday.
Attachment 400341
05-06-2021, 09:20 PM
Cane Pole

ok. question? I use HDS7 for GPS only. I can generate tracks and send them to the HDS7. Will your device guide my Ulterra along these tracks?

I use OZIEXPLORER, MAP CREATE, and map merge. In other words, I can make my own maps. Your device is not linked to any specific mapping by any chance is it?

THANKS
05-06-2021, 09:27 PM
Baitwaster

Our device is basically a translator between brands. If your maps load to the hds7, and then the hds7 can tell a trolling motor where to go, our device will translate to whatever brand troller.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

ok. question? I use HDS7 for GPS only. I can generate tracks and send them to the HDS7. Will your device guide my Ulterra along these tracks?

I use OZIEXPLORER, MAP CREATE, and map merge. In other words, I can make my own maps. Your device is not linked to any specific mapping by any chance is it?

THANKS

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