/ 
Replacing a navigation display can quickly become complicated when a model is discontinued. This is the case with the B&G H5000, which is widely installed on high-performance racing and cruising sailboats. With the HFD5, A+T Instruments offers a 5-inch display designed to fit right in without requiring any changes to the existing installation.
A direct replacement for H5000 systems
The HFD5 uses the same form factor as the H5000 so it can fit into the existing cutout. The CANbus version, which is NMEA 2000-compatible, connects directly to the existing wiring via standard Micro-C connectors, eliminating the need to completely replace the instrument cluster. An Ethernet version is also planned for new installations.
The display can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientation. Its transflective color screen improves readability in direct sunlight and can display analog gauges, historical data in graph form, or bar graphs for monitoring load or temperature sensors.
A Reliability-Oriented Design
A+T Instruments states that it opted for a button-based interface using magnets and proximity sensors, rather than a touchscreen, to minimize the risk of failure in a marine environment. The device is advertised as fully submersible and has been tested at 75 °C for 24 hours. Software updates are performed via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for data connectors that could allow water to enter.
Pete Simmonds, sales manager at A+T Instruments, summarizes the goal of the development: " We focused on developing a 5-inch display that is not just a replacement for a discontinued product, but a better, more robust product with superior specifications. "
The first shipments began in June 2026, and the HFD5 is now available for order at a price of ?2,750, including tax.
