For those of us who need to be reminded that touch screen isn't everything, don't those big dedicated knobs and backlit buttons do the job? It's Furuno's recently introduced FM4000 VHF, which benefits from a good video guide here. I quip about "somewhat new" in the headline because there are numerous clues -- like optional RAM+ mics and Bluetooth headset capabilities -- which suggest that the FM4000 is a kissing cousin of Standard Horizon's GX5500. There's nothing wrong with shared expertise, in my view, and knowing it gives a consumer a better idea of what they're getting into. Which is a seriously good and easy-to-use radio, I'm pretty sure.
It's easy to surmise from the appearance of a wind indicator on top, that the Shakespeare YHK antenna was optimized for sailboats. Beyond the wind indicator (which is optional), this antenna features (i) an all round lightweight design, (ii) low windage, (iii) a flat masthead mounting bracket, and (iv) an unusual connector fitting at the antenna end of the coax cable, all of which are ideal features for a sailboat. While saving weight on a sailboat is always a good thing, the lightweight design of the antenna and cable reduces weight in the most critical area of a sailboat, the mast, where any extra weight aloft comes with a strong performance penalty. Plus, the flat mounting bracket is useful for positioning the antenna above the masthead, something that isn't possible with a side antenna mount. With a side mount, anywhere from 5% to 15% of the length of a standard 36" high sailboat antenna is blocked by the mast for almost half the radius, reducing the ability of the antenna to perform well when transmitting or receiving in that direction...
Mid-sized yachts (and workboats) hungry for connectivity have to be pleased with KVH's introduction of the TracPhone V3 mini-VSAT in Miami. The appeal is fast "Internet access and e-mail for just $0.99 per MB along with crystal-clear voice calls worldwide for only $0.49 per minute with no fine print and no hassles" via an antenna only 14.5" in diameter and 25 pounds. The original V7 was way smaller than other VSAT antennas when it was introduced in 2007 -- still is, I think -- and check the difference. Note too how much KVH has extended its mini-VSAT service coverage. The hardware cost is still pretty high, but if you watch the animated V3 presentation, it's clear that KVH now sees mini-VSAT's low service prices as a real challenge to even Inmarsat's small Fleet Broadband systems (which it also sells)...
That diabolical test machine is forcing a measured, if destructive, twist into an Iridium 9555 satellite phone, which may be a good metaphor for what Inmarsat had in mind when it commissioned an independent study comparing its Isatphone Pro to the 9555 as well as the Thuraya XT (which doesn't cover the Americas). After all, there had already been crowing about another "independent study" that turned out to be commissioned by Iridium (downloadable here). Now it's very easy to be cynical about studies that each find the hardware and service offered by the company that sponsored their efforts to be superior, but actually I found both reports to be largely credible and quite useful...
I think ACR has really advanced PLB technology in recent years, what with its AquaLink View and 406Link testing/messaging service. But up until now it didn't have a competitive response to McMurdo's extra small and extra inexpensive Fast Find 210. Well, hello ResQLink, which now lays claim to "world's smallest PLB" along with a few features that may demand a response from McMurdo. ResQLink has an antenna that the user can repack, for instance, which is one reason why it can do a full through-satellite test (with GPS) using the 406Link service. Doug Ritter put up an early and thorough ResQLink/Fast Find comparison here -- and note that the FCC disclaimer still applies, probably until late February -- but do come back to hear about what ACR is up to with Iridium...
The Icom pitch for its new IC-M412 is straight forward -- "Compact, Easy to Use and a Great Value" -- and probably quite true. You could argue that Standard Horizon's new GX1600 is even more compact, and its GX1150 even a greater value, but the bigger picture is that the two big VHF manufacturers now have small Class D DSC radios at pretty reasonable prices (though -- darn it -- neither has yet adopted NMEA 2000 interfacing). But there are at least two subtleties to the Icom M412 worth noting...
Anyone with a Garmin 200 or 300 series VHF will likely be pleased to learn that they can now add up to three wireless mics with full controls. Garmin announced the GHS 20 handsets along with the GWH 20 wireless hub needed to run them last week, and the product page suggests they're nearly ready to ship. It's all sort of sneaky -- though in a good way -- as the wireless mic possibility is not even mentioned in the VHF 200 or 300 literature and manuals. However, these handsets are not inexpensive...
Yes indeed, if you're already wowed about how Globalstar's new SPOT Connect might help you communicate when you wander beyond cellular, you'll likely mumble multiple wows once you understand the abilities of the somewhat similar Iridium-powered Cerberus system. Click on that brochure cover above -- seen first right here! -- and behold the Iridium/GPS/Bluetooth communicator itself, with an apps phone in the background, and the three major features called out. And you might make that a triple wow as developer BriarTek intends this to be the three-headed guard dog of satellite messaging...
Today Standard Horizon formally announced a pant load of new VHF and MFD products. Most feature good, if incremental, changes; many have already have been shown at the Fall boat shows; and some are even listed at online stores...but at least one will likely blow your mind! Today I'm going to run through some highlights, with links to more detail. So how about the "ultra compact" dimensions of the Explorer GX1600 VHF seen above? Won't that fit in many places most radios wouldn't? It's also a full Class D DSC set for only $170 MAP, as is the new Eclipse DSC+ GX1150 for only $130. Class D, incidentally, becomes the minimum standard for all new fixed VHFs in the U.S. as the FCC finally killed the somewhat crippled SC101 standard, and if you're not familiar with those standards check out this explanation (and note the circa 2007 VHF pricing)...
A question I've never known the answer to: Can a cruiser use Inmarsat's BGAN service -- the much less expensive "land" version of Fleet Broadband -- at least when at anchor in an exotic place where fast Internet isn't otherwise available? Well, thanks to "curious cat" Dan Freedman, we're a lot closer to the answer. Dan recently acquired a lovely trawler and he seems to be having a ball applying his technical background to improving its electronics, and blogging about it. His experiment with BGAN was done at home in Honolulu, not on the boat, but nonetheless he feels its ability to cope with a shifting platform is "astonishing"...
