So if you've bought the iPAL for listening to some sweet tunes on deck, you might also consider a nice waterproof case for your iPod. Oh, and underwater headphones are coming as well...
"The oPod is an iPod-size version of the water-resistant, dust- , crush- and shockproof cases the military uses to protect hand-held computers. And unlike some water-resistant boxes for the iPod, it gives users access to all of the device's controls except the hold switch."
Satellite radio at sea is nothing new, but here's an overview of some of the things to keep in mind when switching from more traditional sources of entertainment....
"Owners of older boats that are not equipped with satellite radios have two choices available to them, says Smith. The existing radio can be replaced with a new one, or it can be augmented with a satellite radio receiver that connects and plays through the existing system. Many of the latter, referred to as plug-and-play adapters, fit into a permanently mounted docking station and send their output to the existing radio by plug-in wiring or by an internal wireless FM transmitter."
I have been looking for easy ways to get the music from my MP3 player into the cockpit of my 21ft boat that I use to travel the Amsterdam canals. Here's a good, and weather-resistant, solution called Tivoli PAL or iPAL.
"The tiny PAL has an amazing rich and deep sound. You plug an iPod in, turn up the volume, and it uses its internal rechargeable battery to play your musical playlists longer than your iPod battery will last (I can get 8 hours on the PAL in one charge). Clear, marvelous sound from a small, rugged box that has survived rain and being dropped into a pool. That doesn't usually happen because it is carefully designed with handy finger grips and a grippy covering. It comes with an adapter for running on AC."
If you are into wakeboarding and you'd like to have some music behind the boat, check out Infinity's new 6100M Wakeboard Tower Audio System.
"The 6000M loudspeaker pair attaches to your boat�s wakeboard tower with swiveling, one-size-fits-all, cast-aluminum brackets. The 2100M Marine Amplifier delivers 150 watts per channel of distortion-free output and even includes a talk-back microphone, so that you can communicate with the boarder from the boat. With prices starting at $1,099.95, the system doesn�t come cheap, but it will add a unique element to your watersports experience."
Motor Boating Magazine takes a look at one of the ships participating in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally, a high-seas adventure from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to Gibraltar. There's a lot of electronics stuff on board this ship... Here are some of the highlights:
-�It�s the autopilot that�s the most important thing,� he says. And for autopilots, Kinney selected two Furuno NavPilot 500s and added a SC 60 GPS satellite compass."
-"The first display supports Furuno�s 1953C chartplotter with a powerful 12-kW radar for 72-mile range and 1.2-degree horizontal beam width for accurate target separation."
-"The second chartplotter, an 1833C, uses a smaller radar with dome antenna that will pump out 4-kW of power for a range of about 36 miles"
-"Called NT-Link, this is a little sister to C-MAP�s rugged commercial product, only it�s coupled with the NT recreational cartography. One notable feature of NT-Link is its ability to handle online chart updates."
-"But the real heart of the navigation package is Furuno�s NavNet system, which allows for multiple sensor displays on three different display screens�the two 10.4" monitors in the pilothouse and an additional 7" remote display on the bridge."
There are so many ways to have entertainment on board, in the cockpit, the cabins or the saloon. But most of the time sound is a 'good enough' thing. Well, some manufacturers are trying to change that.
"Poly-Planar�s new 10" MS250 subwoofer is designed to do just that, teamed up with a separate water-resistant marine audio amplifier that will crank up the required response from the lower registers."
GadgetMadness reports on Oceanic's waterproof MP3 players. I wrote about them a while ago.
"Oceanic Worldwide has a new line of MP3 players that are waterproof to 200 feet (66m). The H20Audio series looks like an iRiver iFP-300 series unit in a water- and pressure-proof housing, packaged with funky little earbuds that clip on the strap of your mask." (Waterproof at Amazon.com)
Besides some new satellite communications systems, Simrad also introduced three new satellite TV receivers and antennas. The TV45, TV46 and the TV60. With improved tracking capability, they will hopefully provide you with a clear and steady picture, even on rough seas...
"The TV45 is for slow-moving boats cruising in strong signal waters. The TV46 features faster follow-up tracking with either single or twin Low Noise Block (LNB) converters. Both the 45 and 46 work with minimum signal strengths (50 dbW EIRP), while the TV60 is designed for reception in weak signal areas (48 dbW) using a quad LNB option."
I've highlighted some more entertaining diving gear in the past, but Gizmodo now has a really good one... The Aqua FM Swim Snorkel Radio from Aquanaut.
"Even better, the Aqua FM snorkel uses no earphones, and instead uses bone conduction to pass the audio signal through your teeth right into your dome. And if you want to test the range of FM underwater, feel free; the radio snorkel is waterproof to 33 feet."
Lots of 'boat entertainment' related news this week. In this month's Boating World Gearlocker you can find the new SeaWorthy SEA2211B/W mid-tweeter highlighted. And what about this waterproof wireless TV from Casio found over at eHomeUpgrade...?
"You might find it enjoyable to lose yourself in the music, but never should it be the music that gets lost. The SeaWorthy SEA2211B/W mid-tweeter is mountable in two 18-inch gauge cutouts, which makes certain that sound is emitted at prime listening levels. Measuring 2-3/4 inches, this 30-watt speaker is ideal for V-berths, cuddy cabins and bows, and conveniently complements any system."
"The Casio XFER XF-1000 can operate for 3hours on a battery charge. This new Casio TV features a 10" screen with 640x480dots. The tuner unit can receive terrestrial TV and also has connectors for receivers or dvd players. The video signal is transmitted over the 2.4Ghz band with DS-SS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum/ direct spread). The reach is about 30m. Because the Casio XFER XF-1000 and the Remote are water-proof, users can take it with them to the bath tube or on a float in the pool."
So if you've bought the iPAL for listening to some sweet tunes on deck, you might also consider a nice waterproof case for your iPod. Oh, and underwater headphones are coming as well...
Satellite radio at sea is nothing 
I have been looking for easy ways to get the music from my MP3 player into the cockpit of my 21ft 
If you are into wakeboarding and you'd like to have some music behind the boat, 
-�It�s the autopilot that�s the most important thing,� he says. And for autopilots, Kinney selected two Furuno NavPilot 500s and added a SC 60 GPS satellite compass."
There are so many ways to have entertainment on board, in the cockpit, the cabins or the saloon. But most of the time sound is a 'good enough' thing. Well, some manufacturers are 
GadgetMadness 
Besides some 
I've highlighted some more entertaining diving gear in the past, but Gizmodo now 
"You might find it enjoyable to lose yourself in the music, but never should it be the music that gets lost. The SeaWorthy SEA2211B/W mid-tweeter is mountable in two 18-inch gauge cutouts, which makes certain that sound is emitted at prime listening levels. Measuring 2-3/4 inches, this 30-watt speaker is ideal for V-berths, cuddy cabins and bows, and conveniently complements any system."
"The Casio XFER XF-1000 can operate for 3hours on a battery charge. This new Casio TV features a 10" screen with 640x480dots. The tuner unit can receive terrestrial TV and also has connectors for receivers or dvd players. The video signal is transmitted over the 2.4Ghz band with DS-SS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum/ direct spread). The reach is about 30m. Because the Casio XFER XF-1000 and the Remote are water-proof, users can take it with them to the bath tube or on a float in the pool."