Consumer Marine Electronics for the New Boater

The wide and ever evolving selection of consumer marine electronics can be a challenge for new boaters. Outfitting a boat with the right marine electronics equipment takes not only a considerable amount of planning, but also product research. Additionally, new boaters must also learn about marine navigation and communication to ensure that they make the best purchasing decision.

Navigation systems are often one of the first concerns of boating novices. Navigation systems come in all types and range in price from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. A top of the line navigation system usually includes radar, sonar, chart plotter and a GPS receiver. Along with that are often a wide variety of digital sea maps that are often designed to work with real time satellite, sonar, radar and automatic identification data.

Simpler navigation systems, like handheld GPS devices, are one of the least expensive navigation systems. Even so, boaters with full-screen navigation systems often consider handheld GPS systems an absolute necessity. And that’s because they are not only ideal as a back-up navigation system, but aren’t power hungry, like full-screen navigation systems.

Power is a big deal on many boats. A loss of power or low power, will not only knock out your ability to navigate electronically, but also communicate electronically. Handhelds, because of their low power requirements and the latest handheld energy devices, are one way to ensure always-on navigation when power fails.

GPS handhelds are becoming more and more like full-screen navigation systems every day. Although often technology lagging, because of their size, with the continued evolution of electronic component, software and satellite technology, you can expect more and more features on these tiny systems. Today, like their more sizable counterparts, portables can provide GPS coordinate information, real time weather information, heading information, route planning and access to a large set of archived maps in either 2D or 3D views. For tomorrow, expect even more graphic information power, more voice communication power, and for a full-screen view, without the full screen, electronic eyeglasses.

When considering the purchase of a handheld or full-screen navigation system, besides the navigation features, there are two other important considerations. One is the organization of the system. Systems that support map and data overlays are often the most desirable. And that’s because these systems let you access and display a wide variety of different information easily and quickly.

The other important consideration is durability. The oceans can toss boats and equipment around very easily. For that reason many marine electronics companies rate their products according to strict waterproof, floatability and shock resistance standards.

Next to navigation, communications ranks as one of the other important concerns for new boaters. If you’re looking to find the best communication systems, you may notice that the best navigation systems also have the best navigation systems. And that’s because, at sea, boaters depend on data collected from buoys, satellites, and even other boaters.

Over the last decade, communication at sea has become much better and is expected to become even better. Today, although you may not be able to use your cell phone, you have satellite phones to take their place. For Internet connectivity, you can also hook up standard web communications gear for your boat. If you want to go full tilt, you can even piece together a LAN on your boat that gives you not only total on-board connectivity, but worldwide data, voice and video connectivity.

However, it won’t be cheap to communicate from sea. Satellite phones can cost as much as $6,000 and often come with monthly service fees that are can easily reach $100 a month. The good news is that if you plan to stay close to shore, you may be able to get by without it. There are a number of lower-cost antenna systems and amplifier boost systems that can extend the range of your cell phone and your on-board Wi-Fi system.

With the advent of text-based GPS handhelds, long-distance boaters can look forward to sending text messages economically without the need to buy an expensive satellite phone. Even at that, today satellite phones are available that offer a free satellite texting service option.