Boating Equipment

Reviews of all the best gear for boating

New Fusion MS-AV700i Marine Stereo Integrates With Chart Plotters

January 25th, 2014

There are quite a few things that make the Fusion MS-AV700i marine stereo unique and worth a look. At first glance you might get sticker shock at the MSRP of $669.99, but high end buyers will want to explore the remarkable features of this unit.

One of the most remarkable is the NMEA compatibility which allows the unit to be integrated into an NMEA network on your vessel. That means connectivity with chart plotters and other NMEA devices. The waterproof wired remote (sold separately) is connected by NMEA cables and it even comes with cable and a T connector for adding it to your network.

Another high end feature is the ability to connect this stereo to a local area computer network via the rear ethernet port. This opens up a lot of possibilities, including the ability to control the stereo wirelessly via an iPod or iPad using the app download provided by Fusion. For more information on marine stereo compatibility, you can visit Rock The Boat.

Of course there is also a USB port for connecting virtually any digital device including iPhone 5. Transition to iPhone 5 compatibility has been a difficult one for many marine stereo manufacturers, but Fusion has jumped in with both feet in an effort to keep up with consumer demand.

Standard Horizon Matrix GX2000 VHF Brings Connectivity To A Whole New Level

January 24th, 2014

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Need a fixed mount VHF radio that can do more? Look no further than the GX2000 Matrix from Standard Horizon. Connect your radio to a compatible external GPS and see a host of new functionality at your fingertips. The DCS Distress function can send an automatic distress signal for you complete with vessel ID and GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) so that you can be found fast. You can also receive and pinpoint GPS information from other vessels with which you are communicating.

GX2000 is a class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling) VHF which gives you an additional 70 digital channels with which to communicate. You can even receive DSC calls while you monitor traditional VHF channels

This unit features special noise reduction tech that will eliminate back ground noise from wind, weather and engines while transmitting. The special microphone includes a speaker for clean and clear communication.

Ther eis also a 30 watt amplifier on board for local public address on your boat and/or fog signalling. The advanced receiver cuts out reception from pagers and unwanted VHF noise, while preserving what you want to hear.

It also includes 10 NOAA weather channels what are pre programmed and easy to find. It will also automatically monitor the channels and give you beep when a storm is nearby.

The GX2000 is backed by an industry leading 3 year manufacturer warranty, proving it’s superior quality.

Garmin GPSMAP 441 Packs Plenty Of Mapping Power Into A Small Space

January 24th, 2014

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The GPSMAP 441 GPS Chartpltter may be a good choice for you if you are looking for something powerful that will fit in tight spaces. The ultra-bright 4″ QVGA color monitor makes it easy to see and the high speed digital map drawing and panning speeds make for a very smooth image that is easy to follow. Throw in the fact that the interface is very intuitive and eas to use and you have a competitive advantage.

It comes loaded with cartography of all US coastal areas, both continental and Hawaii/Alaska. It also has charts for the Bahamas. To expand your reach, the 441 is compatible with Bluechart cards which can provide 3d satellite views and auto guidance. As part of the package, the unit includes a high sensitivity GPS receiver that gives you quicker tracking and satellite acquisition to get you the information you need fast.

Your GPSMAP is also expandable with an optional GXMT 51 satellite receiver kit which can provide US Graphical weather data that you will need on the water. A Bluechart Vision G2 SD card will upgrade the unit with high resolution satellite maps and auto guidance technology which will automatically generate a route that is safest to follow avoiding shallow water, obstacles and buoys.