Re: [Paddlewise] cell phones/technolgical aids

From: Peter Rathmann <prathman_at_attbi.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 22:46:21 -0800
gordin warner wrote:
> My question is - has anyone ever tried placing a call while they were
> actually in the water.  My phone can take voice commands and most of my
> numbers are programmed to be placed this way; including the Coast Guard and
> SAR.
> 
> But I'm thinking I may be kidding myself.  If you're in the water for any
> time at all the cold might render your ability to manipulate the buttons an
> impossible task.  Even the voice activation might not work because of the
> back ground water noise.  Has anyone any real experience trying to do this.

Fortunately I don't yet have any experience with trying to call from the
water in a real emergency, but I do have an additional caveat.  I've
checked to see how good reception is in the areas where I kayak and have
found it to be pretty spotty when right on the water surface.  I still
think it's worth carrying, but know that I can't expect it to work.
> 
> This brings me to a question regarding GPS.  Has anyone any experience with
> the Brunton Multi-Nav MNS.  It's a GPS, compass, barometer, and Altimeter
> (now you can measure that wave height and put an end to the how big was it
> debate).  It's waterproof and only cost $359 Canadian or $1.25 in real
> money.

I've played with one a little and saw some reviews in the GPS group
(sci.geo.satellite-nav).  My impression is that it's overpriced
considering the limited features (no maps, no satellite page, no true
backtracking feature, little software support).  You'd still want to
have a simple mechanical compass for reliability and one user commented
that the Brunton electornic compass was hard to use since it needed to
be held perfectly level and lacked any sighting mechanism.  If you
really want the integrated compass and barometric sensor, then I'd
recommend looking at the Garmin Summit and Vista. Other models I'd
recommend are the Magellan 315, 330, and Meridian, and the Garmin
Venture, Legend, and 76/Map76.
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Received on Fri Jan 25 2002 - 23:01:41 PST

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