Electronics keep cruisers connected. Stay connected while cruising
Boat Shows provide a phenomenal opportunity to learn about and shop for new electronic products, if you need to replace them. Pay attention to a few that that will help you get internet and stay connected while cruising.
ICOM
Communications solutions provider Icom presented its new fixed-mount compact transceiver designed for tight spaces that packs a punch. The M330 series offers the same great performance as their M324 series. The waterproof transceiver includes an exclusive AquaQuake draining elemen, and built-in GPS. The M330 series’ small size is ideal for smaller boats that have limited space for mounting electronics.
Icom also debuted the M85, the smallest, lightest handheld radio available. The M85 has VHF marine channels and also 100 programmable land mobile channels, making it ideal for both marine and land use. The practical marine/land mobile radio combo is built to MIL-STD 810, with an IP67 waterproof rating, which protects the radio even if it’s submerged. This new commercial-grade marine radio is fitting for both recreational and commercial marine operations and features a built-in voice scrambler for private communications. The M85 also includes features for emergency situations such as MOB Alarm, Man Down and lone worker functions.
Icom began as an engineering and manufacturing company, making advanced, compact, solid-state radio equipment for use by amateur (ham) radio enthusiasts. Boaters will be happy know that they can stay connected while cruising with Icom. Icom has since grown to become an industry leader with a product line that includes state-of-the-art communications equipment for marine, land mobile and avionics. icomamerica.com
WAVE WIFI
There’s a lot to be said for unplugging completely from the outside world, and it’s easier when you’re boating in areas where WiFi coverage is spotty, inconsistent or absent. But for some, staying connected isn’t just preferable, it’s necessary. Wave WiFi provides mariners, RV enthusiasts and marinas with advanced technology that simplifies the process of connecting to WiFi, and their new 3G and 4G cellular products work in conjunction with their WiFi antennas, routers, and proprietary web-based firmware.
Wave WiFi products offer outstanding performance because of the proprietary firmware technology embedded in each unit. The browser-based interface allows users to easily identify and connect to WiFi hotspots based on frequency, signal strength, encryption, and availability. At the same time, the Wave WiFi hardware and antenna solutions transmit and receive signals with the best possible clarity. This means that users can access connections with faster Internet speeds and remain connected to WiFi farther from the source.
The next generation of Wave WiFi products goes one step further and allows the user to connect to 3G and 4G cellular when WiFi signals are not available. The new Tidal Wave from Wave WiFi provides high-powered, dual-band WiFi plus 3G/4G and allows for concurrent listening across 2.4GHz and 5.1-5.8GHz WiFi channels along with SIMactivated cellular data. The Tidal Wave comes equipped with a gigabit port to support the fastest connection speeds. It includes high gain antennas to seek the farthest-reaching connections attainable. There is no software to download or install and, instead, uses a simple plug-and-play integration. The unit is also equipped for power over Ethernet (POE) for easy installation. The Tidal Wave will let you enjoy the luxury of WiFi, and/or cellular internet at the marina, on the hook and in many remote areas– the best way to stay connected while cruising. wavewifi.com
MAZU
Winner of a Pittman Award and a Newport (Boat Show) For New Products Award, the feature-packed mazu mSeries provides reliable, worldwide service with the up-to-date weather, email, SMS texting, position reporting, charts and onscreen tracking, real-time NMEA navigation, and optional remote boat monitoring and control.
Represented by Ocean Marketing, the award-winning mazu mSeries hardware, when paired with the mazu iPad app, is the ultimate tool for cruisers and anglers to stay connected while on the water anywhere in the world. For anglers, mazu Sport Fishing features satellite images of sea surface temperature, chlorophyll charts, position reports, and SMS chat.
The mazu iPad app provides global coverage with an easy to use interface when paired with mSeries hardware. Access is free via an Internet or cellular connection. The smart antenna is easy to install, draws low power, and comes with 12 or 24-volt mSeries hardware. The antenna that doesn’t need to be mounted high. Affordable and flexible monthly service plans are available, including a drydock plan to maintain an account when a satellite connection isn’t needed. mazu-marine.com
By L.N. Evans, Southern Boating
