Electronics and Navigation

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

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

There’s more to navigating than gaping slack-jawed at a plotter screen. Keeping up the old skills just might save your bacon one day, and even if that day never comes, it’s fun to keep up a plot on a paper chart. This top-notch set of navigation instruments—parallel rules, dividers, compass—from Weems & Plath comes in a wooden case that’s ready for gift-wrapping. $99. Weems & Plath, 800-638-0428,

Navigation specialist Northstar has entered the radio market with this full-function, DSC-compliant VHF. The NS100 is a black-box unit with a remote speaker and handset. There are single ($599) or dual-station ($929) models, each with a full repertoire of U.S. and Canadian channels and an alphanumeric handset with a large display screen. Northstar; 800-628 4487;

Hella Marine’s NaviLED PRO navigation lights look tailor-made not only for trailersailers and smaller cruisers with limited battery capacity, but for offshore and bluewater boats that need to conserve energy. They come in 2- and 3-mile versions that meet all international requirements for navigation lights. They consume only one-tenth the power of their filament-bulbed equivalents and, like all

The clever little AM/FM LINgo Weather Alert radio automatically scans the seven NOAA weather radio channels and broadcasts local weather information and alerts, even when it’s switched off. It will store all NOAA broadcasts too, as well as displaying warnings on its LCD screen. As if that’s not enough, the maker has built in some gadgets for you to fiddle with in between forecasts—there’s a