RE: [Paddlewise] VHF plus GPS for $250? Yes....

Not true! The Standards use either alkilines or nicads

> It may be well to remember in this discussion of VHFs (and GPSs)
> that "waterproofness" in its varying degrees is achieved at the
> exclusion of Alkaline power.  So unless you paddle only short
> times or use your radio only infrequently, power will always be a
> serious concern.  The dry bag and alkaline battery combination is
> still one I recommend.  Batteries can then be carried for
> extended use and interchanged with other essential gear.  The new
> ICOM M3 is a compromise; water-resistant cpu and a permeable
> battery pack (that could be dried out in an emergency). The M3
> can utilize alkaline AAs.  

Again, someone who doesn't seem to understand the differences between the
benefits of single or dual receivers and 12 parallel. The quick fix time is
simply a benefit of the unit, but it's main benefit is the ability to
maintain a fix through rough conditions which can include narrow filed of
view (canyons, cliffs, etc, forest canopies and fast  speeds. (I use my 12xl
on commercial flights all the time). In addition, the battery life of the
current generation GPS has improved dramatically. The 12XL is 24 hours under
normal conditions. This means not having to replace batteries while on the
water and avoiding the risk of flooded battery compartments.

cya


> Why is there such a rush to acquire GPS positions?  A unit that
> takes 1 minute for acquisition seems as practical as one that
> takes 20 seconds.  While white water kayakers rushing at 8-10 kts
> down some plunging defile might like to know second by second
> when the waterfall is coming sea kayakers are hardly ever so
> hurried to get a latitude/longitude fix.  Visual sighting and a
> quick compass bearing of two have served most of us for many
> years.  When is the fix urgent?  What dangers were we facing
> before the "quick find" GPS models arrived?  
> 
> RGM
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> VajraT_at_aol.com wrote:
> > 
> > There's a decent little Buyers Guide to current Handheld 
> GPS in the December
> > '98 Yachting Magazine, on stands now.  Not sure if it's also on
> > www.yachtingnet.com.  Not a test, just listings, but a good 
> text oriented to
> > commonsense needs.
> > 
> > Low-price standout seems to be Garmin VHF 720.  
> Submersible, 3 watts,
> > switchable to 1-watt, all VHF channels plus weather, 3 year 
> warrantee.  "A
> > sealed battery case protects the circuitry even when the 
> batteries are being
> > changed."  Lists at $160.
> > 
> > A 5-watt submersible is the Standard Communications Horizon 
> HX350S. List $280.
> > 
> > Re: Magellan Pioneer GPS.  I get a reading in 2 to 3 
> minutes.  In bad
> > visibility, I leave it on, and swap batteries after a full 
> day.  On most days,
> > I'm not using it for navigation, only as an odometer, and I 
> switch it on at
> > breaks, take a peek and switch it off.  So far, so good, 
> but I'm the patient
> > type.
> > 
> > Agreed that $50 may much be much more for quicker readings, 
> and $120 may be
> > worth it to go from 3-watts to 5, on the VHF.  But, hey, I 
> paddle in Maine and
> > that's a lot of Geary's Pale Ale!
> > 
> > For the impecunious paddler, the Magellan Pioneer plus the 
> Garmin VHF 720
> > makes a nifty electronic navigation center for about $250 
> total street price.
> > 
> > (It's great how electronics keep getting better and cheaper 
> so quickly.  Any
> > takers for a pool on when the Iridium, or other handheld 
> sat phone, will break
> > $1,000?)
> > 
> > 
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