Electronics+Navigations

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by Adam Cort, Posted August 23, 2011

Broadband 3G radar employs a marine Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radome to provide greater transmit power and better range and target clarity. This enables operators to make out smaller contacts at a greater distance without compromising close-range performance. The 19in radome weighs 16lb, and the system can mark objects within 6ft of the boat. Other 3G features include advanced

Clear and Simple AIS

by Adam Cort, Posted June 13, 2012

Vesper Marine’s WatchMate Vision Class B AIS transponder is a self-contained AIS transceiver with a built-in GPS and a Wi-Fi hub that allows iPhone and iPad users to remotely access AIS info from anywhere on the boat.

Touchscreen Navigation from Lowrance

by Adam Cort, Posted January 4, 2013

Lowrance has expanded its HDS Gen2 range to include the new wide-format, touchscreen HDS Gen2 Touch line. Available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch screen sizes, the units not only serve as powerful chartplotters, but can be integrated with Lowrance Broadband Radar.

Channel Surfing

by Sail Staff, Posted February 6, 2009

When I started sailing, 50 years ago, electronic gear was a rarity. In fact, a knotmeter was the only electronic device aboard the first boat I sailed on. Obviously, things have evolved a lot since then. An onboard TV was once the sole province of the wealthy, but now they’re becoming increasingly common, even on fairly small boats. Some cruisers hate the idea, while others can’t do without

Safe, Sound and Visible

by Adam Cort, Posted September 14, 2010

Seaview Sail Pods from PYI house and protect your steering instruments while ensuring you can still see them clearly. Sail Pods are available in four sizes, with faceplates that can be custom pre-cut to order. Each Sail Pod comes with a UV-resistant ABS plastic housing and stainless steal rail mounts. Enclosed wire runs protect cables and sockets from moisture and snagging.A number of

Remote Controlled

by Sail Staff, Posted February 16, 2007

If you want to harness the full power of your yacht’s flat-screen TV, high-end stereo, theater-area lighting and more, you can do it with Remote Technologies’s T4 Universal Controller. The touch-panel device features an integrated 802.11 WiFi card, onboard speakers, and a 6.4-inch LCD display with full VGA resolution, allowing this handheld to display video windows and web pages. This stand-alone

Night Vision for the Masses

by Adam Cort, Posted September 12, 2011

FLIR Systems’ new First Mate MS has the potential to put thermal night vision capabilities into the hands of every sailor, thanks to its compact size and low price. The First Mate MS uses the same technology as FLIR’s other products, like the M-Series, but weighs just 12oz and measures less than a 7in long.Two versions are available, which provide higher and lower resolutions. Both

Rock-Steady Night Vision

by Adam Cort, Posted June 12, 2012

Like its predecessors, the FLIR M618CS night-vision scope’s ability to create thermal images by discerning miniscule changes in the temperature is quite astounding.

Apps for Sailors: Postagram

by Donald McLennan, Posted January 8, 2013

“Wish you were here…” Postagram, an app from Sincerely, is an easy way to send postcards right from your smartphone. This free app uploads photos from your phone, Instagram or Facebook, prints them as high-quality glossy photo postcards.

Shine On (Then Recharge)

by David Schmidt, Posted March 10, 2009

Energy-conscious sailors worldwide are exchanging their incandescent bulbs for LED lights. LEDs work well in many applications, but some sailors find the beam they cast is too diffused to clearly spot distant objects. Pelican’s Stealthlite Rechargeable 2460 uses a rechargeable NiMH battery pack to power its strong, focused LED beam. It should allow you to spot buoys or