Product Reviews

[Cruisingdad]

Equipment & Gear Reviews

I thought this might be a nice sticky for everyone. No offense, but I do not trust all the magazines to give me an honest review!! I want to know what sailors think and real life applications.

So... post away with BOAT ONLY Gear reviews. If they really irritate you... say it and why. If you found something really cool and want to let others know... again, the same.

GROUND RULES: STAY ON TOPIC. I do not mind some debate on product reviews, but let's keep it on topic and civil or I will delete it. Also, list the product you are reviewing in the subject. It will make it easier to flip through pages and find things. Look at my example below on the Garmin 478 GPS.

There is an old phrase that says, "If you ask 4 sailors their opinions you will get 5 different answers." I agree with that... so welcome all opinions. This should be good for both seasoned and new boat buyers alike. Let's make it fun and informative.

- CD

[Cruisingdad]

Garmin 478 GPS map.

What a really cool unit. It has preloaded all of the coastal maps for the US. I believe it even has Hawaii and Alaska. You can overlay weather on it, output it to your pc, etc.

It is like a mini, portable full function GPS. I have always said all that you need in a backup is lat and lon so you can overlay, but should you lose your main system, this think would sure be nice to have. Neat technology that would have been unheard of ten years ago.

Cost: It lists about 999 at West. I have seen it advertised in the 7XX. We got it at west last weekend for about $650... and I am sure they still made a profit!!

- CD

[Cruisingdad]

I cannot give you the model number, but they are the self inflateable fenders with the little pop-out finger pump.

It sounds great because you can always refill your fenders without having to have a seperate pump. Instead, mine just seem to leak out of there and you do not have enough years in your life to refill a large fender with a finger pump.

You are better off staying with the traditional fenders and filling them the old fashioned way. You will save more money that way too. DONT BUY THEM, in my opinion.

- CD

[phallo153]

Even more than a sticky, IMHO this topic warrants its own forum, with the product name as the topic and all linked reviews and replies in the same thread - easier to keep organized and to browse through. As a sticky, product reviews and responses/reviews from other users will soon become jumbled with other posts, and after a few pages the only way to pull all the replies together will be through a search anyway. Would seem to make more sense to make it a forum and keep products, reviews, and replies all in the same thread.

This is certainly one of the first places I come to do a search on a product before I buy or consider anything.

[labatt]

I was going to suggest the same... a new forum for people to put in product reviews. Putting them all in one thread will be difficult as soon as there are 20+ and commentary. Along the same lines, I'd love to see a forum for companies to put press releases or new product announcements - a forum where the people won't get jumped on for "advertising" their product. That would be a huge benefit to me!

[TrueBlue]

As was mentioned, some form of indexing, or cross reference system certainly needs to be co-ordinated. Perhaps if a forum format is decided, it could be set up with categories, so relevant reviews and articles could be initially posted in order by the author.

Otherwise CD (it is his brainchild) would need to do some regular organizing to avoid the need for inquiring sailors to sift through pages and pages of random reviews . . . just to find recommendations for say, the best bilge vermin eradicator.

[sailingdog]

Teshannon-

IIRC, the Garmin in question has a bayonet mount antenna and you can get an extension cord for it, so that the antenna can be remotely mounted. However, it generally will work inside a fiberglass boat fairly well. I have the older 276 model, which didn't come pre-loaded with the coastal maps and doesn't support the XM WX weather info. It also does terrestrial (car) navigation and comes with City Navigator or some other set of USA maps preloaded IIRC.

They're excellent little units. I got mine primarily for use in my truck, but also carry it aboard as a backup to the main Garmin I have.

As for the price. West Marine had a sale last weekend, so he may have gotten it during the sale.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by phallo153

Even more than a sticky, IMHO this topic warrants its own forum, with the product name as the topic and all linked reviews and replies in the same thread - easier to keep organized and to browse through. As a sticky, product reviews and responses/reviews from other users will soon become jumbled with other posts, and after a few pages the only way to pull all the replies together will be through a search anyway. Would seem to make more sense to make it a forum and keep products, reviews, and replies all in the same thread.

This is certainly one of the first places I come to do a search on a product before I buy or consider anything.

I am going to go ahead and answer this here: I would like to see the participation and activity on this before pursuing with the admin a new forum. Let's see if we can kick it off. If it gets to be too large we can always move it over. I thought it would be nice to scroll through the many pages here and see product reviews. You can serach the thread for topics you are specifically interested in.

It would also be very helful for everyone to list the product they are discussing in the subject line - so it will be easier to follow.

- CD

[Gene T]

Pettit Trinidad SR bottom paint

2 coats, in the water for 3 years 8 months in San Francisco Bay and all growth just hosed off. Looked like the day it was painted. No barnacles.

I will use it again.

[Gene T]

Topside Oil Changer

I bought one 30 years ago and it still works great. Simple and mess free. Need to warm up the oil first and it does require some patience.

I have tried a pump that you run with your drill, didn't work for me.

If the engine has a drain plug then I drain into a plastic bag, messy if you aren't careful but it's quick.