406 EPIRB with User Replaceable Battery

I wrote recently about the poor product support for EPIRB's over 10 years of age. Most of the manufacturers won't do it. You can read about that here.
Today, while in a Chandlery, I came across an EPIRB with stated "user replaceable battery". I have blogged about that one with the manufacturers details here and there is another manufacturer purporting a user replacement here.
Here's the blurb from Kannad Marine about their Safelink EPIRB (with GPS).

This ultra compact and stylish 406 MHz EPIRB comes with a built in high accuracy GPS as standard, for enhanced position location and a user replaceable battery* with a 6 year life.
Meeting the demands of both commercial mariners and recreational boaters, the new Safelink EPIRB heralds the arrival of the next generation in EPIRB technology. The Safelink EPIRB range offers two models, one features a manual deployment bracket and the other an automatic deployment housing which also includes a hydrostatic release unit.
This ultra compact and stylish 406 MHz EPIRB comes with a built in high accuracy GPS as standard, for enhanced position location and a user replaceable battery* with a 6 year life.
The Safelink EPIRB range offers two models, one features a manual deployment bracket and the other an automatic deployment housing which also includes a hydrostatic release unit. The Safelink 406 MHz EPIRB is designed to operate with the COSPAS-SARSAT international search and rescue system. The unit can be activated automatically by immersion in water, or manually by following the activation instructions printed on the unit.
The built in GPS receiver ensures that an accurate position of a casualty is relayed to the rescue services. This in turn improves the speed of recovery by updating the position of the beacon at regular intervals.

Key Features:

• FCC approved
• Internationally approved
• Ultra compact and stylish
• Transmits on 406 and 121.5 MHz
• Integral 20 channel GPS
• User replaceable battery* (leisure users only)
• High brightness LED flashing locator light
• 72 comprehensive diagnostic and self-tests during battery life
• Once activated, will transmit for a minimum of 48 hours
• 6 year battery life
• 5 year warranty
• Non hazardous battery for safe and easy transportation

[download a full spec sheet]

Echopilot 3D Forward Looking Sonar

Presented here is a 3D, forward looking sonar. I've always wanted one for cruising the islands. If I had one last year, we probably wouldn't have gone aground on a reef in Fiji. It was a cloudy day, and looking down into the water was difficult. Fortunately, with my wife spotting, slow speed, and a quick reaction to a yell from my wife, we scraped the reef and slid up on our keel on quite a flat section; and were able to reverse off. This device would definitely have helped. So, pop over to their web site (Echopilot) to see all the info and a great range of pictures. here's some of their blurb.....

ECHOPILOT 3 DIMENSIONAL FORWARD SONAR

This latest development of the well proven patented Echopilot Forward Looking Sonar displays a 3 dimensional representation of the underwater scene ahead of the boat. The seabed terrain and potential hazards are shown, for the first time, with unparalleled realism. This is a real time sonar image of what is actually ahead of the boat, not a chart rendered into 3D.

Twin retractable transducers ensure complete forward coverage whatever the hull form. The view ahead is 60 degrees in the horizontal plane and over 90 degrees in the vertical plane and the forward range is up to 200 metres. The screen updates every 2 to 3 seconds depending on the range setting. Available as a black box the 3D FLS outputs include S and Composite video, VGA and DVI for a full colour picture on a wide range of compatible displays.

Technical Specifications

Voltage 12/24volts

Operating frequency 200KHz

Forward Range 20 to 200 meters

Depth range 10 to 100 meters

Display Update two seconds / three seconds (dependant on range)

Display Outputs s-video, VGA, DVI

Chetco Digital Instruments for Ethernet/Wifi, NMEA2000, Gateway

Pop over to Chetco and have a look at their product range. I've only included a small fraction of what their stuff can do. Intergration of NMEA2000 and 0183 data and streamed wirelessly to your iThing. And a range of after market sensors. Here is a little of what they say and have available. Do go to their web site to get a bigger picture.

{ capture all of your engine data and control your switches }

SeaGauge™ Remote Sensor Interface Units (analog-to-digital converter box): Convert any engine data not provided by your standard ECM (engine control module) to digital NMEA 2000 and/or NMEA 0183 compatible network data.  View and control your data from any SeaGauge touch screen display unit, PC/Laptop, NMEA 2000 displays such as Garmin, Lowrance and Raymarine and iPad, iPhone, Tablet PC’s and a wide range of Smartphones {more}.

SeaSwitch™ Remote Switch Units: Our Remote Switch Units allow touch screen activation of a variety of equipment including NAV Lights, Bilge Pumps, Blowers, Running Light, Spots Lights, Cabin Lights, and much more.  Switch Units provide reliable switching operation via any of the SeaGauge color touch panels or an attached PC/Laptop {more}.

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{ view your live engine data in real-time, from any device }

SeaSmart.NET™ Wireless Modules: Our SeaSmart.NET modules allow all digital and analog data streaming through the NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 serial network to be sent to the onboard computer and routed over a local wireless internet server, or built in local intranet, where it can be accessed by multiple, authorized users, through any browser for real-time data display (with no additional apps needed).  All data can be accessed locally (anywhere on the vessel with no outside connection to the internet needed) and/or remotely (for data sharing and logging data via the World Wide Web) from device, such as any smart phone, iPad, or laptop computer {more}.

{ manage from a single, ultra-bright, all weather LCD touch display }

SeaGauge™ All Weather Touch Screen Displays: Display and control your data with one of our high quality display units or with any existing NMEA 2000™ displays (such as Garmin, Lowrance and Raymarine). The user can view multiple instances of 16 function gauge clusters while controlling all of their switches, all from a single, ultra-bright, weather resistant, touch screen display unit {more}.

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{ do it all, and much more }

The SeaPC™: A fanless and solid state PC computer with built in NMEA 2000™ and serial/USB adapters, and a 12V output in order to power your display using the PC.  The SeaPC is optimized to run all of your gauges, switches, and engine log, while controlling your entire music and media center and browsing the Web, all from a single touch screen display.  The SeaPC also allows the user to set-up a wireless network and view all of their digital NMEA 2000 data from multiple devices on the vessel, such as any smart phone, iPad, or laptop computer (without additional licensing fees or third party applications) {more}.

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{ additional: Senders and Adapters }

Senders:  We support a wide range of senders which measure every engine output from temperature to fuel flow using unique calibration tables that make it possible to match any desired range and unit of measure.  Each unit is capable of measuring voltage, resistance, and pulses dependent on chosen sender type. Multiple pulse inputs allow a single gauge to be used for tachometer, speed, and fuel flow - all in one unit. Dual engine tachometers are standard on SeaGauge Sensor Interface Units.  Senders are available in many different thread sizes and termination styles.

Adapters:  Our adapters provided a range of networking options for all SeaGauge products.  Most units have built-in Serial (RS232) and USB interfaces for direct connection to host PC/Laptops to allow configuration and display of instrumentation data, but our adapters allow for Bluetooth, WiFi or Ethernet options for all of your NMEA 0183, Serial or NMEA 2000 data.

"Autocleat" Release of Dock Lines

Imagine being able to release your boats mooring lines at the press of a button. No more turning your guests into crew, complete control at the push of a button. Below is Autocleat's blurb........

The AUTOCLEAT will release any line configuration, loop, figure 8, slip knot, anything with ease.

 The AUTOCLEAT is the only mooring cleat that allows you to release your mooring lines, regardless of how the line is secured to the cleat and also retracts flush into deck. International patent pending.

Smart boat design means clever utilisation of every space and surface available. The AUTOCLEAT provides a strong, secure mooring point while berthed, then at the push of a button, retracts flush to the deck when not requied.  Your valuable surfaces become safe and unclutterd. No more stubbed toes, snagged fishing lines or halyards.

Simple and Strong installation 
The AUTOCLEAT has been designed to enable simple installation for the marine fitter or home handyman. Installation takes just a few minutes with some simple tools.  Only two low amperage wires are needed to power up the AUTOCLEAT. 

The little extras
Due to the unique design of the crossing ‘horns’ the AUTOCLEAT secures the mooring line above the deck not on the deck and thus reducing line wear on the boat! The AUTOCLEAT comes standard with a Power Failure Override (PFO) button located in the deck plate. This allows the unit to be operated in the event of boat electrical power failure.