Tech & Gear Review: Yachting Times Magazine, Summer 2014 by Nancy Birnbaum

Here’s my latest Tech Review in Yachting Times Magazine – America’s Bilingual Boating Magazine – Always available online!

YTM-Summer-2014-tech

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The great app raffle a big success!

We had a great time last night at the Lighthouse Point YC for the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club’s monthly general meeting where I gave a slide show presentation on my sailing voyages with the Star Clippers and threw a huge raffle!

Royal Clipper under sail

Thanks to the hearty folks who stayed for the slide show and were rewarded with some great IPhone app codes and gear!

We made sure that everyone who purchased a raffle ticket to help the Youth Sailing Program got to take something home.

The first winners called were able to pick from a terrific assortment of donations like Navigation software from Navionics, Polar Navy, and Nav Apps from a long list (see below) of app developers, TreeFrog Pads, LokSak waterproof bags, Otterbox iPhone case, and more.

I hope that everyone enjoys their apps, gear or software and be sure to tell other smartphone users!

Here’s a list of all the Donors:

• Bad Elf: Assisted GPS Satellite data accessory/app for iPhone,iPad or iTouch (value $99.00ea)
• Boating Café: Boating Suite ($4.99)
• Derek Trauger & Assoc.:Dive Spots ($1.99), Bait Shops ($0.99)
• Gonzo Consortium: Bombora ($2.99)
• Cluebucket: WindBuoy ($3.99)
• Double Dog Studios: Boating Calcs ($2.99)
• Digital Forge: NavStation (.99), SailSim ($.99), VitalStatistics ($2.99)
• EarthNC: Marine Charts ($9.99)
• EZ Apps Inc.: EZ Radar – Florida Radar ($.99)
• Gigs, Inc: Signal Flags & Signal Flags International ($9.99)
• GPSNavX: iNavX ($49.99)
• Grog LLC: Animated Knots ($4.99)
• InfoBridge: WindAlert, 2- 6 month premium memberships ($60.00ea)
• Kitty Code: Hurricane HD for iPad and Hurricane for iPhone ($3.99), Traveler’s Quest Game ($.99)
• Michael Zapf Software: NMEAremote ($7.99)
• Memory Map: Pocket Nav ($19.99)
• Mobi Systems: Practical Encyclopedia of Boating (18.99)
• NauticEd Courses:

1. 1st prize Captain bundle of courses (value $300)
2. 2nd prize Bareboat Charter Master (value $160)
3. 3rd prize skipper (value $95)

• Navimatics: Charts&Tides for East, Gulf & Great Lakes ($24.99)
• Navionics: – Chartplotter Apps, Charts and Laptop Software ($9.99-$130.00)
• Pinkfroot: ShipFinder ($4.99) & ShipFinder HD ($7.99)
• Roger Boesch: SailMaps ($5.99), SailBook ($5.99)
• TreeFrogPads: 5 Incredibly Sticky Pads! ($12.95 ea)
• LokSak: aLOKSAK waterproof bags and cases ($7.99 – 29.99)
• Otterbox: Universal iPhone 4 Defender Series case ($49.95)
• Polar Navy: PolarView NS – Navigation software licenses. ($39.99)
• Xantrex: 5 – USB DC Chargers ($9.99)

If your missed the raffle, there’s still time to get your free app codes. Anyone who donates to the Youth Sailing Program can get free app codes or other prizes.
Email: info@itaptouch.com for details, but hurry because Apple Redeem Codes are only good for a short time!

Thanks again to all the donors who continue to create great apps for all us sailors!

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You’re Invited! Thurs 4/14 – Lighthouse Pt. YC, Free Mobile Apps & Nav Software!

Please join me at the Lighthouse Pt. Yacht Club for the monthly Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club‘s General Meeting and a special event!

After the General Meeting I will present a slide show of my recent Tall Ship cruises on the both the Royal Clipper & the Star Flyer. Our Special Event is a raffle of hundreds of Mobile Apps for boaters & sailors as well as Online Sail Training & Certification, Top-notch Navigation Software for PC/Mac, iPhone & iPad cases, GPS boosters for iPhone and more!

All Proceeds will go to benefit the Youth Sailing Program at HISC!

About the Presentation:

Cruising is always an adventure, but Nancy has taken it to new heights – sailing and writing about cruising on tall ships, eco-adventure sailing and destination travel articles. Her love of sailing has now combined with her “inner geek,” to produce “iTapTouch, LLC” – the first mobile app development company dedicated to the Marine Industry.

The April general meeting is shaping up to be extra special as Nancy has put together an incredible collection of raffle prizes including codes to download free mobile apps, charting software programs, iPhone & iPad cases, Online Sail Training Courses, 12V USB power adapters and more! All proceeds from the raffle will go to the HISC Youth Sailing Program. A Big Thank YOU (!) to all the Developers and Vendors for their incredible generosity in donations.

When, Where…

6:30 (Cocktails & Mingling) or 7PM (Meeting and Presentation).

To be held at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club:
2701 Northeast 42nd Street
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064-8476
(954) 942-3524

Directions:
Take I95 to Sample Rd Exit, head East to Federal Hwy (Hwy 1) and turn left or North to NE 39th Street. Go East to NE 27th Terrace (look for sign to YC) and turn left. Go to end and park.

A huge THANK YOU to our gracious Donors for giving so much!

Partial Donor List:

• Bad Elf: Assisted GPS Satellite data accessory/app for iPhone,iPad or iTouch (value $99.00ea)
• Boating Café: Boating Suite ($4.99)
• Derek Trauger & Assoc.:Dive Spots ($1.99), Bait Shops ($0.99)
• Gonzo Consortium: Bombora ($2.99)
• Cluebucket: WindBuoy ($3.99)
• Double Dog Studios: Boating Calcs ($2.99)
• Digital Forge: NavStation (.99), SailSim ($.99), VitalStatistics ($2.99)
• EarthNC: Marine Charts ($9.99)
• EZ Apps Inc.: EZ Radar – Florida Radar ($.99)
• Gigs, Inc: Signal Flags & Signal Flags International ($9.99)
• GPSNavX: iNavX ($49.99)
• Grog LLC: Animated Knots ($4.99)
• InfoBridge: WindAlert, 2- 6 month premium memberships ($60.00ea)
• Kitty Code: Hurricane HD for iPad and Hurricane for iPhone ($3.99), Traveler’s Quest Game ($.99)
• Michael Zapf Software: NMEAremote ($7.99)
• Memory Map: Pocket Nav ($19.99)
• Mobi Systems: Practical Encyclopedia of Boating (18.99)
• NauticEd Courses:

1. 1st prize Captain bundle of courses (value $300)
2. 2nd prize Bareboat Charter Master (value $160)
3. 3rd prize skipper (value $95)

• Navimatics: Charts&Tides for East, Gulf & Great Lakes ($24.99)
• Navionics: – Chartplotter Apps, Charts and Laptop Software ($9.99-$130.00)
• Pinkfroot: ShipFinder ($4.99) & ShipFinder HD ($7.99)
• Roger Boesch: SailMaps ($5.99), SailBook ($5.99)
• TreeFrogPads: 5 Incredibly Sticky Pads! ($12.95 ea)
• LokSak: aLOKSAK waterproof bags and cases ($7.99 – 29.99)
• Otterbox: Universal iPhone 4 Defender Series case ($49.95)
• Polar Navy: PolarView NS – Navigation software licenses. ($39.99)
• Xantrex: 5 – USB DC Chargers ($9.99)

Not able to make it? No worries! Anyone who donates to the Youth Sailing Program can get free app codes or other prizes.
Email: info@itaptouch.com for details, but hurry because Apple Redeem Codes are only good for a short time!

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Mobile Boat Ramp Application Receives Honorable Mention at NMMA Awards

The Boat Ramps Mobile App

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) was honored today for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 70th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami. RBFF received an Honorable Mention in the 2011 Innovation Awards for its Take Me Fishing Boat Ramp App.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) honored eleven marine products with 2011 Innovation Awards on Thursday and one as an Honorable Mention. The recognition took place during a State of the Industry Breakfast at the Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami.

The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and availability to the consumer within 60 days of award receipt.

Among the winners for the Consumer Electronics and Software category, NMMA bestowed Honorable Mention to the Take Me Fishing Boat Ramp Mobile App. Available on iTunes and in the Droid Market, the FREE app allows users to search an impressive database of more than 35,000 launch points by city or zip code and even offers turn-by-turn directions. It’s already been downloaded by more than 27,000 mobile users.

BoatU.S. Mobile App

The app was developed by Derek Trauger & Associates who have a number of useful apps available for boating enthusiasts on both iPhone and Android phones. Traugers’ most recent: The BoatUS app that helps members call for a tow and includes helpful location and tracking features just for boaters, sailors and anglers. The moment you hit the App’s ‘Call Now for a Tow’ button, it automatically provides TowBoatU.S. with critical information before their crew even answers the phone.

Traugers’ other apps include Padi, Dive Spots, Bait Shops and iBoatShows. With over 60,000 downloads to date, Derek is on his way to becoming the top App Developer to the Marine Industry.

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BoatU.S. SmartPhone App for Android and iPhone – Available Now!

Available Now! Get the App that revs up the fun factor in your boating lifestyle!

BoatUS – THE Boat Owners Association of the United States – knows boaters like to share with friends and family breathtaking cruising destinations, the hottest fishing holes, ‘uh oh’ grounding spots to avoid and best of all – their boats current location.

Use the BoatUS Towing App to easily send friends your phone’s GPS Latitude and Longitude with a Google map link. You can easily share your near shore boat location with a few screen touches. Even use it to notify friends on shore when and where you begin and end your float plan!

BoatUS also knows boats break down, go aground and trailer tires blow out when least expected. Who wants to fork out over $600 for a tow? That’s why this App also has similar features to a vehicles automatic locator. Press the “Call for a Tow” option on the home screen and a 24/7 crew mate of BoatUS will answer, knowing who you are, what boat you’re on and where you are. A key feature, since tens of thousands of the boaters who call for a tow unfortunately don’t know exactly where they are located.

Even though this app doesn’t replace good seamanship and navigation skills, it is a nice addition to add to your tackle box. And it’s free.

The BoatUS Towing App not only displays the phones latest nautical Latitude and Longitude right in front of you, it’s GPS function should still work even when out of cell phone range. What a perk if you need to relay it over VHF radio in times of need!

BoatUS Members who choose to buy Unlimited Towing are also prepared when the unexpected engine breakdown, non emergency tow, soft ungrounding, battery jump, fuel delivery and/or trailer roadside assistance is needed. BoatUS can pay the bill on the spot so you don’t have to!

BoatUS is the biggest, the best and the most trusted boat towing program available. Not to mention THE Association providing representation for recreational boaters on Capital Hill, the best boat insurance policies, 24 hour claims service, marina repair and fuel discounts at 900 locations coast to coast, rewards at West Marine stores, award-winning boating, fishing and trailering magazines and over 25 services for boaters needs.

Recently changed in this version

-Text or Email your boat’s near shore location to other boaters
-Share your raft up anchorage or favorite fishing hole instantly
-Show your boat’s near shore location on Google Maps
-Displays your Latitude & Longitude (even out of cell range)
-Call for a tow with the comfort of BoatUS knowing where you are
-Complete your boating tool bag with 25 other BoatUS Services
-Get the hottest boating news events from BoatUS Press Room
-Use the BoatUS App to easily send your phone’s GPS Latitude and Longitude with a Google map link.

• Share breathtaking cruising destinations
• Keep a log of where they’ve been on the water
• Warn others of where to avoid ‘Uh Oh’ grounding spots
• Have the comfort knowing they can call 24/7 for a tow

Download the free BoatUS Towing app today to try it out. At sea. On the Lake. In the River. On the Road. Also, call 800-888-4869 now to join BoatUS and buy Unlimited On-Water and Trailer Assist for less than you probably spend for your auto club. They don’t cover boats and usually don’t pay for tows of boat trailers!

Coming Soon for Blackberry! Read the News HERE!

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2010 Best Boating, Cruising, Travel Gear & Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again, when Your Cruising Editor picks the best out of all her reviews this year for the BEST stuff your money can buy. And since we’re all doing some belt-tightening, I’ve included many HOT items that won’t make you part with BIG BOAT BUCKS! These recommendations are most often made with actual experience using the product or service. Items are either on loan or are promotional review samples. (See the Cmp.ly icon link below.).

Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

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GRID-IT!™ is an handy organizer that allows you to customize and reconfigure your stuff as your needs and cargo evolve. Do you throw all your personal belongings, gadgets and other knick-knacks in your carry-on bag, letting them bounce around and making them hard to find? With GRID-IT you can put all those items under rubberized elastic bands made specifically to hold personal objects firmly in place. The configurations are only limited by your creativity! Get GRID-IT online at Cocoon Innovations.

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Speaking of keeping items close at hand while onboard…if you haven’t discovered The Treefrog Pad, now is the time! The Tree Frog Pad is sticky like its namesake because it’s made from an environmentally friendly synthetic resin and it will keep all your stuff from sliding around. But what’s truly amazing is that you can stick the pad almost anywhere and then remove it without leaving any residue. Plus your handhelds, like phones or an iPad, will stick even while vertical! Cut it up and stick it anywhere you need extra shock resistance. It’s safe on varnished wood, painted surfaces, even gelcoat! At $12.95 you can get one for everyone on your gift list! Available online at TreeFrogPad.com. (Check out my photo on the boating page!).

What can I say? I love the Handpresso! I’m a self-described coffee snob. I like to grind my own beans and I love strong espresso. Life onboard doesn’t always afford me the style to which I am accustomed. That is until the Handpresso showed up. Importika, the company that also carries the high-end Gaggia line of Italian espresso machines, now offers the Handpresso in a couple of different designs including one that you can use your own freshly ground beans in. Simple pump action and hot water is all that required to create a ‘vintage’ coffee with a delicious aroma and a prefect crema. (All the coffee snobs out there will know just what I’m talking about here!). Pump up the pressure (about 30-40 pumps), add hot water, then put in the E.S.E pod. Push the button and voila! The Handpresso Travel Kit includes the Handpresso portable espresso maker and a travel case. And, since it’s fully human-powered, it’s also a green machine. Retails for $199.99.

The Fresh Traveller is both a food storage space and bowl all in one convenient carrier. With its sturdy double-walled stainless steel construction, any food or drink you prepare for your favorite crew will stay hot or cold. The contemporary design, by Arian Brekveld for Royal VKB in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, has been included in New York’s MoMA. Designed to fit into a standard cup holder, the Fresh Traveller is perfect for yogurt and granola; soup and crackers; cold milk and cereal; pudding and cookies? The possibilities are endless. Everything stays fresh and/or crunchy until you mix it and keeps chilled food or beverages cold up to six hours. Retails for just under $45. Available online through Emmo Home.

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The solar-powered Raillight can mount anywhere with the “QuickMount” heavy-duty clamp mounting system – horizontally or vertically (clamps onto any railing from 3/4″ to 11/4″ diameter), transom clamp (adjusts up to 2″ making it perfect for cockpit combing, toe rails, attaching to tenders, dinghies, rowboats, canoes-any small boat that needs a safety light). Raillight Premium offers up to eight hours of light on a full charge and will last at least 20,000 hours. It’s made with marine grade ABS, stainless construction and utilizes four super-bright LEDs which are gasketed and sealed for excellent weatherproofing.  A light sensor automatically turns the Raillight on at dusk and off at dawn, so you never have to wonder if you remembered to turn on your anchor light! Stay safe on the hook or in the dink with Raillight. Retails for $30. Available at SolLight.com.

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More Green Gear…Restore^TM Solar-Powered Electronics Charger. Going green is easy with this nifty solar-powered portable charger for your USB (mini or micro) adapter device like iPods, smartphones, digital cameras or Bluetooth headset. Use the power of the sun to restore your devices to full power not one, not two, but up to eight times for a headset or four AA batteries! For an iPod, one hour of sun equals six or seven hours of music. Charges from either the solar panel, the USB or from the included DC adapter. Retails for around $90, but can give you the output equal to 1,372 AA batteries, plus it’s better for the planet! You can find the Restore™ Portable Power Device at REI.

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Look fabulously Nauti with jewelry for the Nautically-inclined from Style Newport. Handcrafted in sterling silver or gold, nautical flag charms dangle from either rubber, leather or charm bracelets and start at $50. Choose your initials for a lovely necklace or perhaps your boat name for a charm bracelet.

Read my “Boat Test” of SN jewelry at www.YachtCandy.com

Makes a very special gift for the Holidays! (Hint, hint…). Visit them online at www.stylenewport.com.
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TruPlug is the “must-have” emergency gear for everyone! TruPlug is softer than a traditional wooden plug and can be pushed in by hand and take up the shape of an irregular opening. This makes the TruPlug much more versatile than any typical wooden plug. Use it in case of a thru hull failure, or for any tear, round or otherwise. Available at Forespar.com.

Keep your small electronics dry with Sea To Summit TPU fully waterproof accessory cases. Super reliable roll top closure provides waterproof and dust proof performance. PVC-free TPU material (thermoplastic polyurethane) is strong, durable, flexible and UV-resistant. Available in small, medium and large sizes. Retails for between $12 and $20.

If you don’t yet have an iPad onboard you probably will soon. Be sure to protect it from the elements with a WaterGuard Waterproof Case from TrendyDigital. The UV-stabilized plastic guards against wet environments and provides extra cushioning as well. Use your iPad right through the plastic. Retails for $19.99 and comes with an adjustable strap.

Want to listen to your tunes while in the water? Get the DryCase for the iPhone or iTouch. When used with the handy waterproof DryBuds, you can safely listen to your device while in the water. Remarkable! I love the handy Neoprene and Velcro buoyant armband. Another ‘must-have’ for active waterbabes!

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Find out all the best new Mobile Apps for Boaters online at MadMariner.com courtesy of YourCruisingEditor!

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Disclosures: http://cmp.ly/1/mw5qvn

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A New Way to Locate Boat Shows Around the World – iBoatShows, iPhone App Available Now!

Finally there’s an App For That! iBoatShows™ delivers boat show information on iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Sept. 30, 2010 – iTapTouch, LLC, a mobile applications development company, announced that their first app – iBoatShows™ — has been approved and is now available in the Apple App Store. The application was designed in response to the growing demand for key information on boat shows and other marine-industry events. iBoatShows, available today as a free download at the Apple App Store or through the company website, www.iboatshows.com, helps boaters locate a show near them or anywhere in the world. The app also features a quick-search function allowing users to discover what each show or event has to offer and obtain tickets. The app also includes an “Extras” section that allows users to take advantage of special offers by exhibitors, or access social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to tell others about what they’ve found.

The application is the first of several planned applications by iTapTouch, including iBoatShows Custom®, which will focus on individual shows, allowing boaters access to detailed, real-time show information. Customized for any and all shows that want to offer a personalized, dynamic, multi-faceted solution, the apps will provide attendees with convenient mobile access to expo, destination, and exhibitor/vendor information, as well as promotions and sales. iBoatShows Custom will be rolled out later this year.

iTapTouch is the first mobile-only company to join with the Mad Mariner Network, which now includes nine websites, DIY Boat Owner magazine, and the largest social network in the marine industry. iBoatShows for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will expand Mad Mariner’s ability to connect advertisers with an audience of enthusiastic boaters.

About iTapTouch, LLC

iTapTouch, LLC is a privately held, woman-owned company formed expressly to develop mobile applications for the marine industry. iTapTouch, LLC is owned and managed by Nancy Birnbaum, a long-time boater, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captain, and writer/editor in the marine industry. More information about iBoatShows can be found at www.iboatshows.com. iBoatShows can be downloaded at the Apple App Store.

Contact: Nancy Birnbaum

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iPhone app helped find lost boat in Irish waters

From BBC News

A vessel in distress on the waterways between Kesh and Enniskillen in Northern Ireland

iPhone's location app

owes its happy ending to an iPhone application.

Motor cruiser, the Wee Rascal, called 999 in the early hours of Sunday morning asking for assistance as the weather worsened.

However, an extensive search of the area around its reported position by Enniskillen RNLI and the Erne Coastguard Rescue team was fruitless.

With no flares, flash lights or VHF radio onboard, the Wee Rascal was unable to signal its position to rescuers.

It was then that the Belfast Coastguard resorted to mobile phone technology a locator iPhone app was able to give rescuers the vital latitude and longitude they needed.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the cruiser was finally located 25 miles away from its reported position, dangerously amongst the rocky shoreline off Eagle Point.

It was brought away from the rocks by Enniskillen and taken to the safety of Belleek marina.

Coastguard Watch Manager Steven Carson said it was a “combination of luck and technology” that saved those onboard.

“They had charts on board but obviously no real idea of how to get to their destination or how to report their position in an emergency,” he continued.

“Vital hours were wasted eliminating one possible location after another, time that we wouldn’t have had if the vessel had struck the rocks and sunk.

“I hope that this experience will help the crew to realise why navigation training is essential for all mariners, whether you’re on a lough or the open sea.”

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The Most Innovative Way To Make Yourself Understood with Your iPhone!

Dubai-based airline Emirates is behind an amazing new Apple iPhone language application which acts as a translation tool by taking a picture of the handset users mouth and then animates it to produce a range of handy phrases.

Built by Lean Mean Fighting Machine in London to translate English into French, German and Arabic, the app is a bit rough around the edges and tricky to set up initially — but it works.
Here is a demo video.

First you take a photo of your mouth. then the app works by taking the digitized picture and working out where the corners of the mouth and lip line are located. (Hint: If you’ve ever created a funny card at JibJab, you know what’s entailed).

Users can then select topic areas such airport, inflight, taxi, hotel, sightseeing and shopping and choose a phrase — “Could I have an aisle seat”, “Could we leave our baggage here?”, “Could you rub some suncream into my back?” etc — to animate and reproduce with audio using their lips.

You can select a male or female voice and adjust the pitch to make it deeper or higher. Each language has a full version with all 400 phrases, or a ‘Lite’ version that can be downloaded via 3G.

It’s clear from the video that it breaks the ice immediately, even in France!

Clever, funny and so, so useful.
The only question is: When will we get the Spanish Language version?

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Cool Stuff at Miami International Boat Show!

A New Cigarette boat at Miami International Boat Show

Day One: I’m off to the Miami Beach Convention Center for my first take on the show. I’ve got a couple of hours to kill before the Marine Marketers of America meeting.

Making my way through the acres of huge outboards and insane power boats is always a kick. It’s amazing that folks are still buying these behemoths. Here’s a look at a new Cigarette boat. It’s HUGE! I guess it looks better on its side.

Navionics iPhone Charting - NEW! lat/long look-up

On my tour of the latest and greatest gear and tech goodies, I came across Navionics new version of their popular iPhone Charting app. I got the quick tour from Shawn Ruge (Product Mgr) and we did a side-by-side comparison using my older 3G and his newest 3GS. There are some significant changes and all for the better. They finally added all the things that they should have put into the first version,but didn’t, in their infinite wisdom. Let’s be honest, the first app had issues; charts took forever to load and the refresh time was l-o-o-o-n-g! Good news!

“Recent recipient of the 2009 NMMA Innovation Award at MAATS, Navionics mobile is ideal for boaters, fisherman and watersports enthusiasts of all kinds. You can plan your on-the-water adventures anytime and anywhere….check tides, set your routes and markers, and search marinas. While on the water track your navigation, capture geotagged pictures, and create a virtual travelogue of your entire trip that you can share with your friends and family on Facebook.  For those friends not yet on Facebook, simply email them your adventure log and let them view it overlaid on Google Earth and Google Maps”

Google Overlay on Navionics iPhone app

Side-by-side comparison: New version of charting for iPhone

The new version, which will be out sometime this year, has all the right bells and whistles. There’s the fact that you can download maps on the fly and that they now come with Google Earth overlays – Very Cool! And, they’ve added features to the settings that I really like: the Search function includes Lat/Long look up.

Use the handy scroll wheel to enter your lat and long and it magically appears on the Map. US Maps are still free downloads too.

Virtual Sea Trial from Raymarine Shows off the Touchscreen

Next, I dropped by the new Raymarine area. These guys have taken Trade Show Displays to an art form. They had a spectacular Virtual Sea Trial set up complete with simulated ships helm, the kind you’d find at the STAR Center’s Simulator! It did everything but what it did best was to show off their new e-Series Touchscreen technology. The new E-Series Widescreen multifunction displays with HybridTouch technology. The E-Serries is the most advanced and easy-to-use multifunction displays, and the next chapter in Raymarine navigation technology.

Speaking with John Hartnett (OEM Accts Mgr), I found out how useful this new touchscreen can be, even on a bouncy boat. You can lock the screen so that you don’t accidentally hit something. You can change the format and layout of any screen in the customization area.

Check it out at the Show.

More to come…

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