Monthly Archive: March 2023

7

Panbo(at) gets a Furuno DRS2DNXT, cue the comparisons

Since I started paying attention to marine electronics , I’ve heard that Furuno radars are the class of the industry. My own experiences on boats have shown that rumor to be accurate. So, I was awfully disappointed when I couldn’t get my hands on an eval unit when I did my radar comparisons (part II here). I have some good news! Furuno was able to provide a unit for comparison and I’ve had (just a little) bit of time on the water with it.

ACR ResQLink AIS PLB and Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3 12

ACR and Ocean Signal add AIS to Personal Locator Beacons, with cherries on top

Hallelujah! ACR recently began shipping its ResQLink AIS PLB to customers in the U.S. and the Americas. Meanwhile, the company’s sibling UK brand Ocean Signal has been offering the same remarkable technology to the rest of the world since November as the RescueMe PLB3. The beacons are exactly the same except for color — as shown in my METS demo photo above — and regardless of the possibly confusing dual branding, I call them a huge advance in marine safety…

1

Seakeeper Ride Now Available for Aftermarket Installations

Seakeeper, Inc., the leader in marine motion control, is now offering Seakeeper Ride for refit installations. Previously, the new product was only available as standard equipment through boat manufacturers. “Since our launch, we’ve been badgered by boaters asking when Seakeeper Ride will be available for refits,” said Seakeeper President and CEO Andrew Semprevivo. “Our team has worked hard…

3

New Motorola Defy Satellite Link Bluetooth-connected device with satellite messaging unveiled

Bullitt Group, the innovative British mobile phone manufacturer, in partnership with Motorola Mobility, a Lenovo company, has unveiled a new device in the Motorola Defy rugged range that incorporates its unique satellite-to-mobile messaging service. The Motorola Defy Satellite Link is a Bluetooth device that provides satellite connectivity to any iOS or Android smartphone*, designed for anyone that has ever been frustrated by a lack of cell coverage…

24

Li Time LiFePO4, no frills, serious value

My recent reviews of LiFePO4 batteries have focused on fully featured batteries with heating, Bluetooth, and CANBus communications, and even supercapacitors for engine starting. This time, I’m focusing on a battery that delivers raw value and no frills. Li Time batteries are all about delivering maximum energy storage for the smallest price. Although their batteries may lack the features of fancier batteries, they deliver the most amp hours for the fewest dollars. But how do they perform? Let’s find out.

4

ePropulsion Launches New E-Series Battery Line

ePropulsion, a global leader and market challenger in marine electric propulsion systems and services, announced today its new range of E-Series batteries for 2023. With a more ergonomic design, the E60 and E163 will supplement the existing E80 and E175 batteries in the range. The E-Series provides consistent performance and smart operation, delivering up to 3,000 charging cycles for a reliable user experience…

23

Starlink 2023, the ever-changing state of affairs

Starlink, like all Elon Musk-backed companies, seems to operate by a different set of rules than what we might expect. The rules change often, generally without notice, and sometimes in highly impactful ways. A recent series of announcements changed the rules, options, and pricing for subscribers. Especially for those who use Starlink on the move. So, what’s the current state of Starlink, and is it a good option for boaters? Read on, and I’ll try to break it down for you.

4

The New Iridium GO! exec Redefines Personal Off-the-Grid Connectivity

Iridium Communications today unveiled the most capable, ultra-portable solution for truly global connections to all smartphones, tablets and laptops – a new class of personal satellite communication device called the Iridium GO! exec. Built for the professional but made for everyone, the Iridium GO! exec provides a natural extension of your world off-the-grid to send and receive email, use chat or office applications, make phone calls, share pictures, post to social media or get help in an emergency…