Rusty Pete reviews are based on my personal opinions of products as they performed when I used them...
SkyPro GPS Receiver
Technical Details
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Brand Name: Dual
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Model Number: GPS-1020/XGPS160
Product Description
Meet the SkyPro - a brand new GPS Receiver with fast signal acquisition and 10Hz positioning updates, making it an ideal GPS for pilots, race car drivers and other fast moving applications. The WAAS receiver is compatible with both GPS (USA) and GLONASS (Russia) systems and it connects via Bluetooth to up to 5 Apple or Android devices.
Rusty Pete Review
I used this receiver for the first time in Belize in 2014 and have used it on every trip since. I was using an Emprum Ultimate GPS receiver External GPS dongle connected to my iPad, but was experiencing satellite connectivity issues. I had heard great reviews about the SkyPro and decided to try it. I have an older Apple Ipad, but had no issues with installation. The SkyPro bluetooth connectivity was really easy to setup and the ability to sync with both GPS and Glonass satellites helps for quick and accurate triangulation. Combined with the Navionics Marine software, I found that this combination was more accurate (in Belize) than the navigational device on the boat and we very quickly started using this for primary navigation and the boat GPS as a backup.
Uniden VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio (MHS75)
Technical Details
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Brand Name: Uniden
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Model Number: MHS75
Product Description
This radio comes preprogrammed with NOAA weather channels. The Emergency/Weather Alert allows it to function as a severe weather warning radio and will also alert you to any local or national emergencies.
Triple Watch mode monitors channels 16 and 9 for a signal while you listen to the currently selected channel. The marine radio checks channel 16 and 9 for activity every 2 seconds.
The Uniden MHS75 2-way Marine Radio is built rugged to take the rigors of being out on the water, day in and day out with a full JIS8 waterproof rating. It also features a floating design, and is submersible for up to 30 minutes at five feet.
Rusty Pete Review
This is a great little radio, mainly used by the dinghy captain to ensure comunications with the mother ship. I have had this radio a little over 2 years, on multiple trips and have had zero issues with it. It has swum in the ocean around Anegada (off Potters dock) and survived. Note! It is described as a floating radio, but it does not float, so attach a floatee to it. Great battery life, lasts well into the evening (8-10 hrs). For general communications and value for money, I like the MHS75.
Standard Horizon HX851
Technical Details
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Brand Name: Standard Horizon
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Model Number: HX851
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Display Size: 3.00 inches
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Display Technology: LCD
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Item Display Weight: 2.30 pounds
Product Description
Built-in 12 Channel GPS This advanced 6W FLOATING handheld VHF includes a 12-channel GPS receiver allowing the radio to transmit a DSC distress, position report or send calls with your coordinates, perfect for everyday use or adding to your ditch bag. Glow-In-The-Dark Drop the radio in the water at night, no worries as the HX851 floats and case gasket glows-in-the-dark to assist retrieval. FLOATING - Submersible JIS-7 / IPX7 The HX851 has been designed from the ground up to be completely submersible to a depth of 3.3 feet for 30 minutes, and it FLOATS! Navigate to Waypoints Standard Horizon has listened to feedback of the enormously popular HX850S and added navigation features which include Waypoint entering (store up to 200 waypoints), Navigation to a waypoint, Navigation to a DSC Position request to the HX851. 6W Transmit Power The HX851 is able to select 1W, 2.5W, 5W to conserve battery life or for maximum transmit distance the HX851 can be selected to transmit 6W. Preset Key Dedicated key that allows programming and quick selection of up to 10 favorite Marine VHF or NOAA Weather channels. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) The HX851 incorporates DSC Digital Selective Calling including; Distress, All Ship Urgency and Safety, Group, Individual, Position request and Position report calls.
Rusty Pete Review
I have been using the Standard Horizon HX850S for 4 years now, but am looking to upgrade to the HX851. I really like several of these features incorporated into this little radio, GPS, power variation and NOAA Weather channels. Additionally, the fact that this radio floats and is waterproof is a big plus, however I recently forgot my drybag and had to swim my "stuff" to shore at The Baths. Of course everything got soaking wet. Since returning home, I noticed that the battery case leaked a little, resulting in the battery connections becoming corroded. I also had to purchase a new battery this year as the original would no longer hold a charge. Note! The optional Submersible Speaker/Mike drowned at The Baths and quit working.
Great device with several cool features, but some minor irritating issues.
Cruising Guide to the Northern Leeward Islands
Technical Details
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Spiral-bound
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ISBN-10: 0991455053
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ISBN-13: 978-0991455058
Product Description
The Cruising Guide to the Northern Leeward Islands covers the islands of Anguilla, St. Martin & Sint Maarten, St. Barts, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts, Nevis, Redonda, and Montserrat. These guides are an essential tool for all cruisers sailing this region. Chris Doyle spends months sailing these islands to update each edition. Included are over one hundred up-to-date color sketch charts, full color aerial photos of most anchorages, island pictures, and detailed shoreside information covering services, restaurants, provisioning, travel basics and island history. Information is linked to the author's website where you can download the GPS waypoints given in the sketch charts, learn of essential updates, print town maps, and obtain links to local weather, news, and businesses.
Rusty Pete Review
Great cruising guide, very informative and has a waterproof chart included. Worth the $30...
Navionics+
Boating Caribbean & South America
Technical Details
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Updated: Nov 04, 2015
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Version: 8.4
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Size: 65.2 MB
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Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Product Description
NAVIONICS+ includes:
Download of the following chart layers that will permanently reside on your device:
-NAUTICAL CHART for all essential cartographic reference detail. The most accurate and thorough set of information based on Hydrographic Office data, Notices to Mariners, new publications, our own surveys, and reports from users. It provides port plans, safety depth contours, marine services info, tides & currents, navigation aids and more.
-SONARCHART™ HD bathymetry maps with up to 1 foot contours featuring extraordinary bottom contour detail.
- COMMUNITY EDITS made by users (rocks, wrecks, etc.) and shared for all to benefit.
- CHART UPDATES: we deliver more than 2,000 updates every day! Take advantage of our updates as frequently as you like.
- ADVANCED MAP OPTIONS to highlight Shallow Areas, select Depth Shading, filter Depth Contours, and adjust shorelines to selected Water Level. Includes a Fishing Mode.
- NAVIGATION MODULE for advanced route planning with ETA, distance to arrival, heading to WP, fuel consumption and more!
- DOCK-TO-DOCK AUTOROUTING quickly creates detailed routes even through narrow waterways and channels, based on chart data and navigation aids. POIs are automatically shown nearby your destination.
Note: Download detailed maps by zooming in or from Menu>Download Map. Tap Menu>Update All to keep your charts updated. Check navionics.com for coverage.news, and businesses.
Rusty Pete Review
I have an older Ipad and use the Navionics Caribbean & South America App. The Navionics uses Vector charting which is better for zooming in, (instead of the Raster charting) with user updates, which I found to be very accurate in Belize. Coupled with the SkyPro GPS Receiver, provide an accurate method of navigation. At this time I have had great success using the Navionics app on my old Ipad.
I am looking to purchase an Android Device for next year, and researching the apps for this new device, I have discovered an App called Memory-Map, which runs Raster charting and has cross-track error data and velocity made good (VMG) to waypoint cross-track error data and velocity made good (VMG) to waypoint. Any thoughts on this let me know....
For more info on Vector versus Raster, I found this great summary - click here.
iTunes Link to Navionics App
Cruising Guide to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean Coast, Including Guatemala's Rio Dulce
Technical Details
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Paperback
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ISBN-10: 0975575317
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ISBN-13: 978-0975575314
Product Description
By Captain Freya Rauscher. This completely updated guide provides detailed piloting information for navigating from Mexico's Isla Mujeres and Cozumel to Belize and Guatemala's Rio Dulce, including the many offshore cays and reefs. GPS waypoints locate all harbor entrances and anchorages, complete with 117 original sketch charts, 185 photos featuring 16-pages of color photographs, many aerials and two large folded charts showing the entire area. This top selling cruising guide deserves space on the bookshelf of anyone who contemplates a visit to this magnificent area. April 2007
Rusty Pete Review
Excellent cruising guide, complete with hand drawn maps and notes. These maps are about as accurate you are going to get for Belize, given that there has been no marine survey since 1989.