Electronics+Navigations

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.

Raymarine Chartplotters

by Adam Cort, Posted March 1, 2012

Raymarine is already expanding on its e7 chartplotter, which has won various awards, including a 2012 SAIL magazine Pittman Innovation Award. The company’s “e” series now includes two largers versions equipped with a 9- or 12.1-inch screen.

Variable Power Controlled Thrusters

by Adam Cort, Posted March 1, 2012

Imtra’s Side-Power SEP series DC thrusters have a variable power control—as opposed to a simple on-off switch—to help you get your boat in and out of tight spots.

GPS with Simplified DSC

by Adam Cort, Posted March 1, 2012

An integral 12-channel GPS in Standard Horizon’s GX1700 simplifies the radio’s digital selective calling (DSC) functions. The GX1700 stores up to 100 waypoints and has a compass display that shows SOG and COG, as well as bearing and distance to waypoint.

High-Def Underwater Camera

by Adam Cort, Posted March 1, 2012

Truly we live in a Brave New World of electronic gizmos. The latest gadget du jour is this new AquaLens high-def underwater camera, which transmits live video to a dedicated wrist-mounted LCD screen.

Fingertip Navigation, with Wireless

by Adam Cort, Posted June 6, 2012

The NavNet TZtouch multifunction display from Furuno is packed with useful new features, including a Wi-Fi lash-up to smartphones and tablets. The touch-screen controls respond instantly to multi-gesture commands, while an improved RotoKey dial lets the user switch between touch-screen or twist-and-push modes.

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

Puckster

by Sail Staff, Posted May 15, 2009

If you sail on a small boat without electronics, you may appreciate having some basic speed and heading data to help dial in your tactics and sail trim. Velocitek’s new Speedpuck is a handheld GPS receiver that displays your course and speed over ground and allows you to record—and later download—the data so you can compare your performance against other boats. This clever device also displays

Look, Ma, No Hands!

by David Schmidt, Posted April 14, 2009

If you’re a high-adrenaline sailor, V.I.O.’s new Point of View (POV) video camera is perfect for documenting your onboard adventures. The package includes the recorder, a wireless remote, the camera head (which has a 100-degree field of view), various wires, mounting accessories, and a 1GB memory card (larger cards are available). It is waterproof and shock resistant, so even

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