NEW PRODUCTS - FinScan releases Bio eStart-Trio
Marine Biometrics manufacturer FinScan, has released its latest fingerprint engine-start technology, aimed at pod-drive installations.
With the growing popularity of Volvo Penta’s IPS system and the Cummins Zeus drives, there has been a steady rise of triple and quad-engine installations in the leisure boating market around the globe.
FinScan said that with three or four-engine installations requiring more keys to manage, it has noted a greater tendency to leave the keys in the ignition and a subsequent increase in demand for a secure keyless engine-starting solution.
FinScan said its Bio eStart eliminates the need for traditional engine keys and start/stop panels, replacing them with one device that manages the starting process for single, dual, triple and quad installations.
The company said a finger is simply placed on the fingerprint sensor to arm the engines for use, while the start and stop buttons on the FinScan head unit manage the engine starting process with a light touch.
The Bio eStart is said to be designed for simple programming and use, with the ability to store 1000 fingerprints (the equivalent of 1000 keys). This allows multiple fingers, partners and crew to also be stored as operators who can start the engines, with no keys or codes to remember, FinScan explained.
Compatibility with major engine brands has been paramount in FinScan’s designs it said, with harnesses for use with Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control, Cummins MerCruiser’s SmartCraft, Caterpillar, MAN engines, and many more.
FinScan says it supplies the Bio eStart with plug-and-play engine harnesses to make installation an easy process: for example, in the case of Volvo Penta EVC, the Bio eStart is connected by being plugged directly into the helm control units, and a cutout made available on the helm for the head unit. The Bio eStart can also be supplied with a loose-end wire harness for aftermarket installation onto older engine models with standard two or three-position key switches.
FinScan said that with plug-and-play options such as fume detection and blower control, the head unit becomes a critical safety device on gasoline installations, forcing blower operation times and fume detection checks before ignition start up, eliminating the possibility of explosion.
The FinScan Bio eStart-Trio has a recommended retail price of $3400.
For further information, visit www.finscan.com.au