boatsgearwheels
GEAR
tem allows the user to select either the Ka
band LNB required to view high-definition
programs or the lower frequency Ka band
LNB to receive programs in standard definition. www.intelliantech.com
Furuno’s new products include the
Multi-Color LCD Radar Display (
compatible with 4-k W radome, and 4- and 6-k W
open array antenna scanners), the FCV-295
Color LCD Sounder, and two versions of
MaxSea TimeZero software for PC-based
navigation.
The FCV-295 and Radar Display provide the stand-alone equipment preferred
by some mariners and display information
on “Fogging Free,” 10.4-inch sunlight LCD
screens. With 1, 2, or 3k W of sonar power
the FCV-295 employs digital signal processing and automatic, depth-dependent
pulse rate control. Its ability to measure
the resonance frequency of the transducer
and operate over a wide range of operating
frequencies delivers superior fish images at
all depths. www.furunousa.com
Simrad-Yachting’s new 8- and
12-inch, sunlight-readable, high-resolution
NSE multifunction chartplotters combine
the best of both the predecessor Simrad
and Northstar systems to create an exceptionally user-friendly, multi-function system with superior screen
clarity and brightness.
Compatible radars
include conventional
magnetron HD models and the BR- 24
BroadBand Solid
State Radar. www.
simrad-yachting.us
Free software
from Maritron, the
new N2KBuilder
will greatly simplify
the design of NMEA
2000-based networked
electronic systems, presenting a pictorial display
of the network and components, validating the network
layout and creating a bill of
materials. www.maretron.com/
products/ N2KBuilder.php
ACR Electronics AquaLink PLB
is GPS-equipped, floats, has a built-in LED
strobe and produces 6. 3 watts of transmis-
sion power. The position fix is accurate to
within 110 yards and the battery need not
be replaced for five years. $499. www.acr-
electronics.com — Chuck Husick
Dry Bag
Hang out around the water long enough and it will happen to
you. A moment’s carelessness on the dock or in the cockpit, and
whoops, there goes the cell phone into the drink. But this doesn’t
have to be a disaster. Retrieve your phone then drop it and zip seal
it tight into a Bheestie Bag. The bag contains powerful water absorb-ing beads that physically bond with the water, pulling moisture from
personal electronics. $20. www.Bheestie.com
Hooked On Aloha
Circle hooks are popular with fishermen
today, but the ancient Hawaiians devised such
hooks out of bone long ago. Marine wildlife artist David A. Wirth captures this timeless symbol of Hawaii in a series of bronze and stainless steel pendants. David’s original pendant was
carved from bone in his Maui studio then cast
in bronze using the lost wax method. The pendants are finished in custom, hand-applied patinas that chemically bond to
the metal and will not wear off or fade. From $250-$350. (951) 551-3594.
www.DavidWirth.com
One Button Rescue
The latest version of the SPOT satellite GPS messenger
adds a new feature called SPOT Assist for Maritime, which gives
boaters the ability to summon BoatU.S. Towing Services for
non-emergency assistance by pressing the “help” button on
their handheld SPOT messenger or SPOT Personal Tracker.
When the “help” button is pressed, the disabled vessel’s
GPS position information, along with its make, length, color,
home marina, owner and family contact information, is sent via
satellite to the BoatU.S. 24-hour nationwide dispatch centers,
alerting them to the request for urgent on-the-water towing.
The original features of SPOT, including a “SOS/911” function that notifies an emergency rescue coordination center of your GPS location, “Check-in/OK” that allows family and friends to know where you are and
that you are okay, a “Track Progress” feature to send and save your boat’s location and allow others to track and plot a real-time course with Google Maps,
remain unchanged. Additionally, a “Custom Message” feature for secondary
communications is offered with the newer SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger unit.
www.findmespot.com. From $150.
Cleaning Up A Storm
Most boats don’t have a lot of storage room, so any tool that can do a variety of
chores is appreciated. Powered by a 12-volt Ni-Cad battery, the Power SideKick is an
all-in-one cleaning tool that can wash, vacuum, and polish/wax by simply replacing the
“head” on the power module. While it’s not designed to replace a professional detail job,
it’s a lot less costly, retailing for about $100. Its rotating power-washing head with internal soap dispenser did a remarkably good job when we recently tested it by cleaning the
winter grime off a 28-foot cruiser. The power
module has plenty of handholds to allow you
to twist and turn to reach tough spots, and
being cordless makes it simple to use anytime.
In our tests, battery life was about an hour.
www.powersidekick.com
