favorite gadgets

[QuickMick]

Oh crap... im getting that itch again... you know the one--that itch that tells me its time to buy a new toy or get my letter ready for santa...
Just wondering what your favorite gadgets are to give me inspiration!

Here are a few of my favs...

Lowrance iFinder Expedition c GPS Unit, Review

Vion MiNi 2000 Handbearing Compass

Uniden | A World Without Wires - VOYAGER

and of course one of these

12-Gauge High-Performance Alerter Basic-4 Signal Kit

[mitiempo]

Quinn
The Vion Mini 2000 is one of the nicest handbearing compasses. I have had one on a previous boat and will buy another.

[jcalvinmarks]

The Lowrance iFinder handheld GPS is fantastic, with one big caveat: it doesn't float. I found that out the hard way. It doesn't even bob lazily while water slowly seeps in and eventually sinks. It may as well have been a brick when I absent-mindedly opened the wetlocker on a brief motor across the lake.

Other than that, it's great! Barometric altimeter, electronic compass, etc. For the inland sailor, they have a growing library of free downloadable lake maps that give depth contours &c. Just tie a buoy to it or something if you're going to bring it up on deck.

I would really like a high-end set of binoculars that has a rangefinder and compass in the viewfinder. That maybe reduces the number of gadgets you have to keep handy.

[sailingdog]

The Plastimo Iris 50 is pretty similar and available for far less money IIRC.

I wouldn't recommend a 12 Ga. flare kit, but would recommend getting a 25mm flare gun kit instead. The 25mm flares are far brighter and go higher... However, I prefer the SOLAS grade parachute flares, since they go even higher and have a much longer duration. USCG flares are junk compared to the SOLAS grade stuff IMHO. If you've ever seen a demonstration of the two side-by-side, you'd understand why it is really a waste of money not to get SOLAS grade flares instead.

Instead of the Lowrance iFinder, I'd go with one of the Garmin handhelds, like the Colorado or even the new GPSMap 78sc that just came out. Garmin generally has a better User Interface and their maps are better IMHO. Also, the 78sc floats.

[jcalvinmarks]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Also, the 76sc floats.

I actually just replaced the ill-fated iFinder with an older Garmin 76, and it feels significantly lighter. They're both great units; can't go wrong either way, unless you let the iFinder hit the drink.

[QuickMick]

well... whats life w/o some good parachute flares! I stock these

Parachutte Surplus Rocket Flare : Buy Parachute Rocket Flares here!

in my pantry.... bigger than a baby's arm!

[QuickMick]

oh...btw... maybe i wasnt clear in the OP... i already have those toys... i need ideas for new ones!!

[sailingdog]

Spot Messenger...

Olympus Tough 8010 14 MP digital camera with 5x optical zoom and does 720 P HD video. waterproof to 34' and shock/impact/freezeproof. Just got one yesterday to replace my older Olympus SW1030.

Voltaic backpack to keep your electronic toys powered up.

[killarney_sailor]

I have become a big fan of AIS after one winter with it in the Caribbean. How necessary/useful it is will depend on where and how you sail of course.

[SlowButSteady]

Originally Posted by QuickMick

oh...btw... maybe i wasnt clear in the OP... i already have those toys... i need ideas for new ones!!

For the sailor who has everything, but a cold draught.....

Kegerator Conversion Kit (Door Kit, Less Cylinder)


Now, if I could just find space on my boat for one....hmmmmm.....