You may be hoping for a gift of handheld electronics this holiday season, but just hoping may not be enough to ensure you get what you want. You can hedge your bets, though, by making sure Santa has the knowledge to deliver the right goods. Then, once you receive them, you can further stack the cards in your favor by preparing and using your electronics in ways that will deliver the fullest advantage to you.

Whether you hope for a handheld VHF radio or a GPS receiver, you should look for ones that give you the most flexibility, especially when it comes to powering them. Almost all will have an available accessory cord that will let you power them from a 12-volt outlet. Most will have a rechargeable battery pack, and some will have provisions to use individual batteries. However, a handheld that features all three will provide the most flexibility. The internal battery pack is good for everyday use, but individual batteries are a better choice for use as a reserve power source. The difference lies in the battery types.

Types Of Batteries

Zinc-carbon batteries are the old standard flashlight cells. Since their performance has been eclipsed by several more modern types, they shouldn't even be considered for use in a device that you will depend on.

Alkaline batteries have become the standard because of their higher energy density (the amount of power available from a battery of a given size) and their longer shelf life before being used. They're a good choice to power handhelds or to keep as medium-term spares.

Lithium batteries are a more recent development in non-rechargeable batteries. They provide more than twice the energy density of alkaline batteries, but their best feature is their long shelf life. They also retain up to 90 percent of their charge after 10 years of proper storage, so they're a good choice for electronics that you'll use only occasionally or as backups to hard-mounted units. They command a premium price, but they're worth it.

CHARGED UP Make sure to purchase the best battery type for your handheld device.

Rechargeable Options

Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) is the most commonly used technology for rechargeable batteries and is used in a variety of portable devices for marine use, including battery packs. NiCad batteries are inexpensive and are able to withstand hundreds of recharging cycles, but they have significant drawbacks too. They need to be almost completely drained before recharging to insure their best performance, which can be extremely inconvenient. They also contain cadmium, a highly toxic metal that has been eliminated from most industrial use, therefore they must be recycled properly.

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are a generation beyond NiCad. They're slightly more expensive, but offer approximately a 30-percent improvement in energy density without NiCad's drawbacks. Most of today's individual rechargeable batteries, such as AA size, use NiMH technology.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the latest commercially available type of rechargeable battery technology, and is commonly used in laptop computers and other portable devices where its high energy density is a desirable asset. They're not widely used in marine devices, but that may be a plus, since improperly manufactured batteries have been reported to overheat and cause fires during normal use. The technology is usually used in battery packs manufactured for a specific device, so their environment can be closely controlled. Their performance isn't cheap, though, and their limited number of recharging cycles (200 to 300) can be further limited by exposure to excess external heat.

Important Choices

Matching the battery type to the way you'll use your handheld is the most important step in getting the most from it and ensuring that it'll be there when you need it. A device that operates only on a battery pack will definitely limit your options, because you must buy an expensive proprietary pack if you want to have a backup on hand. And you may not be able to depend on the backup.

A handheld device that gives you the option of using standard-sized batteries will let you choose the type of battery that matches your usage and will also allow you to carry inexpensive, long-lasting spares.

The most important consideration when choosing batteries is the frequency with which you use the handheld. If it'll be in constant use, rechargeable batteries and battery packs are a good, money-saving choice. But devices that don't see everyday use, such as backup units carried in case a primary unit fails, should never use rechargeable batteries, because they can slowly lose their charge during storage. Backup electronics should be fitted with non-rechargeable batteries, such as alkaline - or better still, lithium -if available. This also applies to spare batteries kept on board.

You should also stay aware of the age of the batteries you have installed or keep as spares. Apply a small square of masking or white tape to new ones, and write the installation or storage date on it. At the beginning of each season or before a long trip, check the date on your batteries to make sure they're fresh and will still be ready when you need them the most.

ALL-IN-ONE This VHF has a battery pack as well as a backup cartridge for batteries.

Mounting Handheld Electronics

 
Many boaters find it convenient to install brackets or other hardware that allows them to mount handheld electronics at the helm, which makes the electronics easier to see and use while underway. Mounting them there also makes it easier to power them with a cord plugged into a 12-volt outlet, cutting down the drain on their internal batteries. 

Before permanently mounting such a bracket, it makes sense to take a few precautions. Mount the bracket in the intended location with tape (double-sided adhesive tape works well), and make sure the 12-volt power cord will reach its outlet without interfering with other devices. Also make sure you can see the handheld's screen in that position. This is especially important if you wear polarized sunglasses, which can cut down viewing angles with some LCD screens. 

If it's a GPS you're mounting, make sure it'll work in the position you've chosen. Take a short cruise, and observe it closely. Many GPS units have difficulty receiving satellite signals under T-tops or metal structures like bimini frames or rocket launchers, so verify its position before you drill any holes. Once you're sure, drill carefully to avoid any wiring or components behind the panel. Put a dab of marine sealant in each hole to not only lubricate the screw's entry, but also to seal the hole against any moisture intrusion. - D. Yetman

Quick Tips

1. Get a handheld electronic device that offers a lot of flexibility.

2. Evaluate the options when choosing a type of recharge- able battery.

3. Coordinate your battery type with the intended use of the handheld.

4. Keep track of how old your batteries are by writing the date on a piece of tape.