Vesper Marine calls its new Cortex the world’s first marine VHF radio with wireless touchscreen handsets, built-in Class B SOTDMA smartAIS transponder and remote vessel monitoring. Cortex alerts boaters to collision risks and makes it easy to communicate. For instance, touching a vessel onscreen and pressing “call” makes a direct DSC call. Cortex also delivers free twice-daily vessel-monitoring service directly to a boater’s smartphone. Cortex unleashes the full potential of VHF, AIS and DSC by intuitively combining them, says Vesper’s Carl Omundsen. Costs include $1,299 (base unit) or $1,799 (base and wired handset); $599 (portable handset); $120 (annual premium monitoring subscription).
