Electronics+Navigations

Wireless VHF Remotes

by Sail Staff, Posted April 5, 2011

GHS 20 and GHS 20i full-function wireless remote handsets are compatible with Garmin’s VHF 200 and 300 series radios. They allow you to move about your boat and still have complete control of your radio. Each waterproof handset includes a backlit LCD display, soft keys, volume control, squelch and channel selection, a built-in speaker mike for use in loud environments, a DSC distress function,

inReach SatCom with GPS

by Adam Cort, Posted April 11, 2012

Stay in touch with the folks back home from anywhere in the world with the DeLorme inReach, which provides cost-effective communications via 9602 short-burst data messaging and the Iridium Satellite system.

Smartphone Anchor Watch

by Donald McLennan, Posted November 8, 2012

Many onboard electronics systems include anchor-watch alarms that sound if a boat drifts too far from where you anchored it. But what if you’re ashore at that time?

Navigation Gear Special

by Sail Staff, Posted May 31, 2006

Cautious sailors understandably worry that the trend toward networked multifunction electronics could lead them to simultaneous multifunction failures. But the solution may be improved system architecture—as seen in Northstar’s new 8000i, diagrammed at right—not in running separate machines. Notice that the Northstar system is “masterless”—sounder, radar, cameras, and even the various sensor

Simple, Consistent Collision Avoidance

by Adam Cort, Posted April 5, 2010

The AIS WatchMate RX from Vesper Marine is an all-in-one, standalone collision avoidance system that comes with an internal parallel two-channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, which allows it to effectively identify targets at a greater range.In operation, the AIS WatchMate RX displays class A and class B vessel positions, voyage data, navigation aids, AIS safety messages

Fill 'er Up

by Sail Staff, Posted March 10, 2007

Sailors rely on batteries to power any number of gizmos, but in the case of disposable batteries, this reliance comes at a hefty cost to the consumer and to the environment. More Power 2U claims its new Battery Xtender safely and effectively recharges disposable alkaline, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, zinc carbon, titanium, and rechargeable alkaline manganese batteries without

KVH Tracphone V3

by Sail Staff, Posted May 6, 2011

KVH has been a long-term industry leader in antenna stabilization and satellite communication. Its latest V3 satellite phone delivers crisp voice calls, competitive data rates and faster connections. The cost per minute is now at a price point that will appeal to more than the megayacht crowd.The new V3 phone utilizes a stabilized antenna and a belowdecks-mounted controller/modem. The

Easy to See Electronics

by Adam Cort, Posted April 13, 2012

Keep your chartplotter or other smaller electronics safe and visible with this new Scanstrut Rok-Lok adjustable mount. The system includes a ball-and-socket joint with a one-handed release and an internal clamp.

Yellowbrick 3 Tracking & Messaging

by Adam Cort, Posted November 17, 2012

Stay in touch with the folks back home with the Yellowbrick 3, which harnesses the power of Iridium satellites to transmit position data and to send and receive messages from any point on the globe.

Marine Communications Special: 2006

by Sail Staff, Posted June 28, 2006

By Ben EllisonOn the one hand, I’m sorry to report that the U.S. Coast Guard has made little visible progress toward implementing Rescue 21, the new search-and-rescue communications system that will, eventually, unleash the potential of DSC-VHF radios. On the other hand (this comes as a real surprise), the reappearance of coastal marine VHF operators just may induce a lot of sailors to