I like the way the marine electronics industry is, finally, taking real advantage of economies of scale, standardization and innovation in the computer industry. This Navionics example is perfect proof of that.
"The company says, "until now memory space was inhibited by the need to use proprietary memory cards which were less efficient and more expensive than generic memory cartridges. These generic cards have now significantly reduced in price and increased in size, enabling us to utilise them for the new XL3 charts. Navionics XL3 charts are loaded onto MMC (Multi Media Card) or CF (Compact Flash) cartridges. These are compatible with leading brands of chart-plotters from manufacturers including Eagle, Geonav, Humminbird, Lowrance, Northstar and Raymarine. XL3 charts are also compatible with PC navigational packages including Geonav, PC plotter, Seatrack and SW&N."
Nice article on the value of SSB radio, and why you should not be replacing SSB by satphone technology.
Although we had bought our single sideband radio primarily for safety, we've discovered that it's also our central source for communication, as well as entertainment. Now, after a lot of experience on the water, we've come to realize the value of the SSB to our cruising. The sat phone and the SSB actually serve two very different purposes. Ultimately one day, we'd like to have both aboard.
Good eNewsletter from Ocean Navigator in which the author describes a near collision situation and how he responded to it, using both technology and common sense... He points out how one device, an active radar reflector, could have been very helpful.
"Sea-me is an active radar reflector. When struck by a radar beam, Sea-me amplifies and reflects the amplified signal back to the sending unit. The amplified signal makes the target appear much larger. The reflected signal has an average radar cross section of 34 square meters, and I know vessels using this device often appear like a ship on radar. This device also has a radar detector, which alerts you to an active radar system in the area (similar to the CARD, though CARD does have a directional display)."
New technology creates new problems. Some boaters in Canada have a problem since they can't obtain legal electronics maps for certain populair sailing areas. The companies involved "are currently in some intense negotiations hope an agreement will be in place soon."
"Most boaters use electronic navigation equipment from two major companies: C-Map and Navionics. In January, Ottawa warned about the illegality of electronic maps from these companies detailing Canadian waters."
And we have another fan of Uniden�s Mystic, a device that has been mentioned on Panbo.com before and should be a very popular GPS device looking at my website statistics... In the article a couple of other devices that help you find yourself again are reviewed, a.o. Garmin�s GPSMAP 60CS and Foretrex 101 Personal Navigator and the Suunto X9 watch.
"When boating, I usually take a GPS along but always wanted some inexpensive and integrated device that could signal for help in an emergency. Uniden�s new Mystic handheld marine radio offers terrific GPS navigation with a one-button emergency call to alert the Coast Guard to your position."
Good article on the history (and future) of time and navigation. I especialy like the quote that says: "For every minute lost by a clock, it meant that there would be a navigational error of 15 miles. In 1761, John Harrison invented a pocket watch accurate enough to use for navigation at sea, which lost only 5 seconds in 6 and � weeks."
And, for some sense of history let's not forget how easy it is for us to navigate the seas these days....
"In about 1100 AD, the magnetic compass began to appear in navigation. By the end of 13th century, the first true nautical charts for marine navigation appeared in Italy. In the 20th century electronic instruments supplanted many centuries-old navigation technologies. In 1904 German inventor Christian Hulsmeyer introduced the first navigation device using radar technology."
I do not have any experience with it myself, but Coastal Explorer from Rose Point Navigation Systems comes highly recommended by Todd Huss. It's not yet commercially availale, but that should not take long according to their website.
"A cool product I've been using lately is by Rose Point Nav, if you haven't heard of them yet. They're based out of Seattle and make a really nice navigation suite called Coastal Explorer. It's still in beta and I came across it because a couple boats that are beta testing our wireless hardware were running it. I personally think the UI is a major improvement over Raytech navigator, the Capn, or Nobeltech."
No GPS interference for turtles, according to recent a report in the journal Nature. So if you are lost at sea, and GPS has let you down, go find your self a turtle that connects to your chartplotter...
"The turtles' navigation aid is the equivalent of the GPS, but instead of relying on satellites in space, it depends on magnetism."
Lots of electronics in Practical Boat Owner's July issue. Articles on Simrad's VHF, HP iPAQs with GPS, Geonav 5C Chart plotters, a 12V boat PC and a look at eCharts.
"You�ve decided on the hardware, now what about the cartography? Colin Jones looks at the three main software suppliers."
In Yachting World's July issue two charting software solutions are reviewed, and you can find out all about the ARC and the equipment being used by the yachts that participate.
"One of the hottest items of new equipment at the moment is charting software and the debate is on as to whether this can now be considered as a primary means of navigation. We examine two of the newest systems, the budget-priced RYA software and the upmarket MaxSea."
I like the way the marine electronics industry is, finally, taking real advantage of economies of scale, standardization and innovation in the computer industry. This Navionics example is perfect proof of that.
Nice 
Good 
The companies involved "are currently in some intense negotiations hope an agreement will be in place soon."
And we have 
Good 
I do not have any experience with it myself, but Coastal Explorer from Rose Point Navigation Systems comes highly recommended by Todd Huss. It's not yet commercially availale, but that should not take long according to their 
No GPS 
Lots of electronics in Practical Boat Owner's July 
In Yachting World's July