It has been a good two years since Raymarine presented the Axiom series. The new hardware based on tablet technology also saw the launch of an Android version of the Lighthouse operating system, which was a clear step forward in terms of ease of use and speed. For sailors, on the other hand, it was a step backwards, as Raymarine no longer offered functions such as mooring lines superimposed on the chart, which had fallen victim to extensive reprogramming.
The new version 3.9 of the Lighthouse software brings back the sailing functions. As with other manufacturers, the laylines, i.e. approach courses, are displayed as red and green lines on the chart, making it very easy to recognise the fastest course to the waypoint and when to tack or jibe.
The plotter can also calculate the actual distance to be sailed and the time required to do so. The laylines can be based on either fixed angles or wind force-dependent polar data stored in the plotter. Data is currently available for 200 boat types. However, it is not possible to import your own polar diagrams directly. Instead, the data set must be sent to Raymarine by e-mail and will then be included in the next software update.
The Lighthouse 3.9 does not offer a start line function, but this will follow with the next version, which according to Raymarine will be at the end of June.
Lighthouse 3.9 is available for Axiom, Axiom Pro eS and gS series multifunction displays and can be downloaded free of charge from the Raymarine website can be downloaded.
