tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post5504863308653644741..comments2024-02-22T05:34:03.852-05:00Comments on The world encompassed: Always sail on the bright side of lifeRhyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-27842473094097774662013-06-29T15:36:19.326-04:002013-06-29T15:36:19.326-04:00Good to know, Ken, and thank you. I don't obje...Good to know, Ken, and thank you. I don't object to adjuncts or backups; hell, I wear a recording baro and a fluxgate compass on my wrist...but some of these rather unrugged gadgets are being sold as primary devices, which is fine for sailing around Toronto Island, perhaps, but not a functional or lasting choice.<br /><br />I have heard that Blackberries were fairly hackable and easy to fix, or at least easier than the Apple phones. Good to know. We'll see if they are still looking viable when we leave as we will want a couple of "boat phones" for which we can buy local SIM cards and minutes as needed.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-39616207587292267162013-06-29T10:07:49.558-04:002013-06-29T10:07:49.558-04:00Ken here. IMO touchscreen tech is for urbanites. M...Ken here. IMO touchscreen tech is for urbanites. Many folks are using i-whatever tech for cell or other apps as well as downloading charts to use with the integral GPS in these smartphone devices. It's basically another way to do and view things as you travel, but most cruisers use smartphones as an adjunct to their purpose-built GPS chartplotters. <br />They can see their course while in the bunk while off watch. Troubleshooting several touchscreen i-devices I've discovered that once the touch sensor or display craps out there is no recourse but to scrap the device. Our two BlackBerries can be easily disassembled and the trackball and keyboard cleaned or replaced. New/refurbished BB keyboards, pointing devices and keyboards are available in a downtown kiosk here in St Georges Grenada. I'm certain that these repair resources are not unique to Grenada.<br />Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-48953186034008370172013-06-28T17:01:46.450-04:002013-06-28T17:01:46.450-04:00Good points both, Ken and/or Lynn. I know from how...Good points both, Ken and/or Lynn. I know from how my glasses fared in the Atlantic that salt...even in droplet form...is quite abrasive.<br /><br />So many nav apps are being developed these days for the "touch-driven" iPhone or iPad...and yet we don't hear much of this issue. I wonder why?<br /><br />A five-inch plotter at the helm of the button or knob type would suffice at the outside helm, with the main viewer in the pilothouse. I have a graphic designer's horror of poking a grubby finger at a screen, however. It's the same reason I would own a BlackBerry over any other phone...I can type faster and more accurately than I can point.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-30101503878062433852013-06-28T12:49:47.296-04:002013-06-28T12:49:47.296-04:00Touch screen tech IMO is not going to withstand sa...Touch screen tech IMO is not going to withstand salt and spray because your finger will scraping across the screen will quickly abrade the very surface that you're viewing images through in difficult bright sunlit conditions.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-37526279140929866472013-06-28T12:44:12.907-04:002013-06-28T12:44:12.907-04:00Smallish 5 inch plotter at the helm will give you ...Smallish 5 inch plotter at the helm will give you the big/small picture between landfalls, tracking your progress to a waypoint against wind and current and also enable you to see DSC position reports from friends as well as co-ordinates of vessels who transmit DSC Distress calls. This together with AIS targets with their closest approach data can be easily seen and digested, all without ever leaving the helm or disturbing off watch crew.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-20920103342128168242013-06-26T15:20:44.177-04:002013-06-26T15:20:44.177-04:00Better a donkey cart you can control than a coach ...Better a donkey cart you can control than a coach where you aren't even in the driver's seat!<br /><br />And no, that is not my pilothouse, nor is it ever likely to be. I like the huge Ritchie compass too much. Unlike a lot of boats, mine comes with great big balls.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-13841734690192052072013-06-26T11:31:50.898-04:002013-06-26T11:31:50.898-04:00You almost had me thinking it was your boat until ...You almost had me thinking it was your boat until I saw the dual-engine panel.<br />I look at all those gadgets and feel like I'm still driving a donkey cart (boat) on an ocean highway.<br />Can't live without my 5" charplotter at the helm, better than a 20" one down below.<br />Horatiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06405728755670132370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-22397300802869964682013-06-26T08:45:23.946-04:002013-06-26T08:45:23.946-04:00C'mon, John...I would *never* have that much w...C'mon, John...I would *never* have that much wood. Or that many screens.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-76561382891840075372013-06-25T23:56:42.559-04:002013-06-25T23:56:42.559-04:00Your new pilothouse set up looks very spiffy. OK t...Your new pilothouse set up looks very spiffy. OK the compass is small, but with all these screens, you probably won't need it.Johnnoreply@blogger.com