Electronics

In 2015, I tested the first electronic distress signal that could effectively and legally replace the flares that the U.S. Coast Guard requires on most of our boats. Hot flares always struck me as a dangerous way to seek help.

The ROAM app released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection lets boaters report their return to U.S. waters by way of smartphone or tablet.

Dockmate’s wireless remote system is helpful in surprising ways.

Raymarine’s new DockSense takes the anxiety out of getting in and out of a slip.

I believe that VHF radios from the big four MFD manufacturers are primarily offered so that boat builders and customers can put a single brand of electronics at the helm.

Autotether’s marine wireless system is built to instantly cut the outboard engine when the operator falls overboard or is separated from the boat by more than 150 feet.

Lenny Rudow looks at where things are headed in the marine electronics world, from digital anchoring to remote monitoring and live-view fishfinders.

McMurdo’s SmartFind G8 AIS Auto Category 1 EPIRB is the first of its type to make use of the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a constellation of what soon will be 30 active satellites.

Designed to clip, stick or attach to almost anything, Anglr’s Bullseye lets users capture fishing data.

Made from 316 stainless steel (cap and bezel) and ABS (lens), the LED Combination Retractable Bow Light from Sea-Dog pops up with just a twist of the cap.

The Polk Ultramarine Complete DSP Sound System from ASA Electronics uses a processor to constantly adjust the music to compensate for ambient noise from wind, water and boat engines.

Webasto’s 115-volt BlueCool S-Series is available in five sizes, and each self-contained unit is designed for boats that are limited in space or onboard power.

Raymarine’s Magnum open-array radar offers enhanced target tracking and image detail in a pedestal built to withstand the marine environment.

Wave WiFi has added 3G and 4G cellular products to its line. These models work with the company’s WiFi antennas, routers and web-based firmware.

Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope lets anglers distinguish species of fish, even when the boat isn’t moving.

Fusion’s Apollo Series marine entertainment system has an LCD touchscreen display,  Wi-Fi streaming, digital signal processing and PartyBus, which lets boaters play music throughout the boat or in a single stateroom.

The Winegard ConnecT WF-200M antenna combines a long-range Wi-Fi signal extender with nationwide 4G LTE cellular, boosting shoreside Wi-Fi signals for coastal boaters.

The weBBoat 4G Plus coastal Internet antenna receives Wi-Fi and 3G/4G cellular signals up to 20 miles from shore, then amplifies and redistributes them as a hotspot on board.

Simrad’s NSO evo3 is designed for simple installation aboard large cruising and sportfishing boats.

Seapilot’s updated app adds tidal prediction, closest point of approach (CPA) and electronic range and bearing line (ERBL).

B&G’s Vulcan family of sailing-specific chart plotters — a refreshed 7-inch and 9-inch, and a new 12-inch — have built-in Wi-Fi, broadband radar compatibility, SailSteer and SailingTime, and combine data on one screen.

The iNavX navigational app has been redesigned to give Android users the features that iOS users have, including one-touch waypoint route creation and a racing-inspired instrument display.

The Weems & Plath CrewWatcher man overboard system is an app-based alarm that works like a virtual lifeline.