Nautic Alert Insight X2-VMS User manual

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Insight X2-VMS Appliance Manual 1.0
Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Nautic Alert® Insight X2 for VMS. Proudly engineered and assembled in the USA.
We are confident your new purchase will provide an outstanding experience of edge-based precision
engineered technology. Please take a few minutes to read through the instruction manual and
familiarize yourself with the installation and setup process.
To ensure you have the latest instruction manual, please visit
https://nauticalert.com/support/instruction-manuals/

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Contents
VMS Appliance Overview.............................................................................................................................. 4
Technical Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 5
Product Labeling Requirements.................................................................................................................... 5
Getting Started.............................................................................................................................................. 6
Mounting, Wiring, and Antenna Options.................................................................................................. 6
Insight Mount Bracket and Wiring Description ............................................................................................ 7
Cable Wire Description and Powering On ................................................................................................ 8
Insight Dimensions and Flush Mounting....................................................................................................... 9
Device Activation ........................................................................................................................................10
Insight Home Screen Overview................................................................................................................... 11
Alarm Indicator and Siren .......................................................................................................................11
Warning Dashboard ................................................................................................................................ 12
VMS Appliance Views.................................................................................................................................. 13
GPS View .................................................................................................................................................13
VMS Messaging....................................................................................................................................... 14
Message Notifications......................................................................................................................... 14
Address Book .......................................................................................................................................... 15
VMS Settings ...........................................................................................................................................16
Declarations and Prelanding Reports .....................................................................................................17
Nautic Alert Insight Manager...................................................................................................................... 18
System Settings....................................................................................................................................... 18
Alert Notifications............................................................................................................................... 18
Add New Wireless Sensor ...................................................................................................................18
Vessel Name........................................................................................................................................ 18
System Password ................................................................................................................................18
Daily Status Reporting......................................................................................................................... 19
Receive Public Texts/Messaging .........................................................................................................19
Received Message Beep......................................................................................................................19
LCD Settings And Inactivity Timeout................................................................................................... 19
Sensors.................................................................................................................................................... 21
Event Log................................................................................................................................................. 21

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Alert Recipients....................................................................................................................................... 22
Adding an Alert Contact......................................................................................................................22
Firmware Updates................................................................................................................................... 23
System Info .............................................................................................................................................24
Mobile Access ............................................................................................................................................. 25
Position Updates..................................................................................................................................... 26

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VMS Appliance Overview
The Nautic Alert VMS Appliance is the most simple, lowest cost of ownership in a NOAA VMS solution.
Unlike other systems that use PC-grade processor technology, the VMS Appliance is designed with a
state-of-the-art low power architecture, enabling it to only consume 1.8W of power. This enables it to
work with power constrained vessels, including solar-panel trickle chargers.
Additionally, all functions are integrated into the miniature multi-functional display, and do not require
an external tablet. Messaging is included, and does not require complex mail forwarding configurations.
The VMS Appliance is featured on Nautic Alert’s Insight X2 platform, but only offers the VMS application
discussed herein. However, if additional non-VMS applications are wanted, the full Insight X2 can be
used. With the full Insight X2 platform, the VMS Application as shown in this manual is available in
addition to the following non-VMS applications (as discussed in the Insight X2 Manual):
-GEOS Monitored Search-And-Rescue with real-time two-way messaging
-Device to device and device to cell phone text messaging
-Indoor and outdoor advanced intrusion
-Multi-purpose sensors
-Multi-bank energy monitoring (DC and shore power)
-Bilge management
-Anchor Alarm
In either case, both options enable remote fleet management vessel tracking and push notifications,
which are designed to keep your vessels in full compliance by providing maximum visibility into key
system events.

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Technical Specifications
Operating Voltage: 12V and 24V DC systems. Absolute min/max 10V-36V
Operating Current:
Screen full bright: 200mA @ 12V
Screen half bright: 150mA @ 12V
Screen off: 100mA @ 12V
Max with integrated siren active: 300mA @ 12V
Operating Temperature: -20 to 55C
Enclosure: Water resistant to CFR standards
Type-Approvals: NOAA VMS Type-Approvals for most US regions as indicated here:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units
Patents: US8531316 B2, USD687733 S1, US20140266793 A1
Product Labeling Requirements
Device Contains FCC ID: MCQ-S2CTH, MCQ-PS2CTH, and SBD9603X
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interferences, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The cellular and/or satellite antenna must be located at a distance greater than 20cm from the device
and any persons under normal operating conditions to be compliant with FCC SAR limits.

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Getting Started
-Mount and wire Insight to the DC system.
-Mount and wire the GPS and Cellular/Satellite antennas.
-Validate GPS signal strength and Iridium satellite signal strength with the GPS view and Iridium
bars on the upper left of the Insight screen.
-Activate unit by going to www.nauticalert.com, then following the “Activate” link on top of the
page. You will need the modem IMEI identifier as displayed in the system settings info tab.
-Add your cell number to Insight’s alert contacts screen. This gives you access to Insight’s text
message interface ,the MyInsights web portal, and the Nautic Alert Mobile App.
Mounting, Wiring, and Antenna Options
Insight can be either bracket or flush mounted. Miniature high-performance Iridium and GPS antennas
are provided with either 25’ or 50’ LMR cables to easily connect to the back of Insight. 25’ cables
provide the most flexibility with a small diameter cable that is easy to run and bend. The 50’ Iridium
cable is larger in diameter than the 25’ cable, and thus, the 25’ cable is recommended if the overall
length between Insight and the antennas is less than 25’.
The antennas can be flush mounted, bracket mounted as shown above, or used with ¾ NPT adapters to
attach to standard masts.
It is imperative that the antennas be located at a high elevation that avoids nearby obstructions,
including solar panels. Maintain at least an 18 inch separation between the Iridium and GPS antennas
when installing.
Connect the ends of the LMR cables to the correctly labeled antenna inputs on the back of Insight. If the
antennas are connected backwards, this can easily be determined by inspecting the GPS signal strength
and Iridium signal strength upon powering the unit. In this case, there will be no GPS or Iridium signal
present.

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Insight Mount Bracket and Wiring Description
Insight can be flush mounted by removing the front cover, and using the 4 underlying mount holes as
shown below.
The front cover is held in place by machine screws that screw in from the top and bottom of the
assembly. The 4 mounting holes behind the front cover used to flush mount are also used to attach the
mounting bracket legs as shown below:
If using the mounting bracket, attach the two side mounts to Insight prior to attaching to the mating
bracket assembly. 4 4-40 x ¾ machine screws hold the side brackets to Insight. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
If using the bracket and mounting in a vertical configuration, the bracket mates together every 18
degrees, including 90 degrees, and use 2 M4 machine screws to fasten the side mounts to the main
mount. At least 2 #4 screws are recommended for attaching the base of the main mount to the yacht
mounting location. The base of the main mount can be rotated and locked in place.
When flush mounting, 4 #4 x 1 inch screws can be used to attach the Insight to the panel. DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN.

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Cable Wire Description and Powering On
-Red - Power (+)
-Black - Ground (-)
Use with 12 and 24V DC systems.
Note: Your Insight will not startup if your DC voltage is insufficient and depleted. This feature allows
your battery charger to bring your DC battery to a sufficient level before power is drawn, as well as
prevent cycling of the Insight. At least 11 volts is required for your Insight to power on, otherwise, the
Mute and Display buttons will blink red to indicate a low voltage is present. This feature is
particularly useful in solar panel moored installations, where it’s necessary to charge the boat’s batteries
to a sufficient level prior to putting an additional load on the batteries.
Always follow ABYC wiring standards and use an inline fuse or breaker appropriately rated.

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Insight Dimensions and Flush Mounting
Insight dimensions are shown in inches below. Additional margin is needed for Insight cabling exit strain
relief on the back side, in addition to the depth dimension shown below.
Recommended panel cutout dimensions for flush mounting

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Device Activation
To activate communications, a Nautic Alert Reporting Service must be purchased. This allows for
month-to-month billing through NearshoreNetworks, a Nautic Alert partner. To activate services, you
must note the modem MEID and then go to:
https://www.nearshorenetworks.com/menu/activate-services/nautic-alerts-activation
Depending on the update interval of your region, the monthly costs will vary. This matrix of costs
explains the plan differences:
https://nauticalert.com/nautic-alert-platform/reporting-services/#VMS
Once activation occurs, leave the device powered on and wait 24-48 hours. At that time, Nautic Alert
will contact you or you can contact Nautic Alert at 1-800-385-1674 to acquire necessary details required
by NOAA, which include the following
-Operating Region
-Name, address, and phone number of the owner
-Vessel name
-USCG documentation number
One the device is activated with Iridium and NOAA, Nautic Alert will confirm the process is complete.