Gadgets and Electrtonics
Holiday Gift Guide 2007
December 21, 2007
BEYOND SIGHT
Get a better view of all the boating action that's out there with West Marine's Lake Tahoe
Binoculars ($49.99). These binoculars offer crystal-clear viewing in any weather conditions because
of their waterproof construction and fogproof nitrogen filling. They're lightweight and have
multi-coated lenses with BK-7 roof prisms for crisp imagery. There's also an 8x32 center focus,
16mm eye relief and a 6mm twist-up eyepiece.
(800) 685-4838,
www.westmarine.com
BRIGHT
IDEA
You may have a difficult time trying to get your regular butane lighter to work while boating
in wet or windy elements. A beneficial backup is Sunlighter Inc.'s Sunlighter ($17.95). It's both
100-percent windproof and waterproof, and creates zero hydrocarbons, emissions, greenhouse gases or
carbon dioxide. Simply using the laws of tabletop physics, the Sunlighter's curved parabolic
surface is solar-powered to light anything from wood kindling to cigars and cigarettes. It even
works at night, using a flashlight as a light source. Included is a 4-inch compact carrying case,
and both
a cigar and cigarette adaptor.
(800) 803-4370,
www.sunlighter.com
ALL SCREWED
UP
Instead of lugging a bulky tool kit around the boat, why not have all of your blades in one
system? It's possible with Wiha Tools' Drive-Loc VI (sets range from $42.78-$81.48), a locking
blade system that can hold over 50 screwdrivers and blades: Phillips, Torx, Pozidriv, Slotted,
Tri-Wing and more. Drive-Loc VI has a chrome, corrosionprotected finish, and also includes a bit
holder for 1/4-inch bits and an adapter blade for 1/4-inch sockets. The handle is designed with a
SoftFinish cushion grip for roll-off protection, and its clickstopball clamp allows you to rapidly
change blades.
(800) 494-6104,
www.wihatools.com
OVER AND OUT
If you're a newbie to the world of marine VHF radios, try Eagle's entry-level handheld EHR-10
($89.99). The EHR-10 is a 5/1-watt waterproof radio that features all legal U.S., Canadian and
international channels; a four-bar battery indicator; bright-red LED TX transmission
confirmation indicator; and has the ability to meter the energy of incoming/ outgoing calls
and weather alerts. The function keys illuminate in low light, and its backlit LCD display is
larger than most handhelds. It also includes a NiMH battery pack and charger.
(800) 324-1354,
www.eaglesonar.com
FIRE WHEN READY
Kids can experience their own swashbuckling adventure with Captn. Jack's Remote Control
Pirate Ship ($69). With a realistically-detailed design, this three-masted pirate ship will keep
children on the water for hours. The ship has powerful motors inside and counter-rotating
propellers underneath to give it surprising speed and maneuverability. And with a press of the
remote control button, the cannon lights up, elevates and fires.
(800) 227-5225,
www.capjack.com
WATCH YOUR BACK
Backing up your tow vehicle can be an intimidating task, especially when you're hauling
around your boat or personal watercraft, and there are adults and children walking around. Since
most tow vehicles have larger blind spots, it's difficult to see what's behind you, and that's why
Visualogic's HindSight C-1000 Vehicle Backup System ($499) can come in handy. It includes a 3
1/2-inch, full-color reverse monitor, which captures a viewing angle of 120 degrees, and a
waterproof, swivel-adjusted VersaMount camera that mounts on the top or bottom of the licenseplate
frame to help you safely reverse. All the necessary mounting hardware is included as well.
(800) 624-7960,
www.vizualogic.com
LIGHT THE
WAY
Whether you need light for nighttime boating in unfamiliar locations or for emergencies,
Allsman Enterprises' AE Xenide Personal Searchlight ($395-$435) is your go-to device. According to
Allsman, the Personal Searchlight delivers 10 times the lumen output of traditional incandescent
flashlights. So in case of an emergency, it can be seen for miles if assistance is needed. After
all, it was originally used for law enforcement, maritime interdiction and border patrol. It's
waterproof, lightweight and has a redesigned reflector and lamp for a better focus, and higher
lumen output to distribute more light so you can see a target with a sharper and crisper beam.
(541) 471-8988,
www.aelight.com
MULTI-TASKER
Tackle more than one onboard odd job, be it during the day or at night, with Buck/Whittaker's
X-Tract LED Multi-Tool ($65).The X-tract is a one-hand operable device that includes an integrated
5mm LED flashlight to shed light on those hard-to-see spaces. Extra features include a can/bottle
opener, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, workman-sized Buck blade, and spring-loaded needle-nose
pliers with wire cutters. The neat part is that it only takes a push of the thumb to access every
tool.
(800) 326-2825,
www.buckknives.com
BYE BYE BIRDIE
Boaters who have to put up with birds - and their messes - can now get rid of the problem
once and for all with WhirlyBird Solutions' WhirlyBird Repeller ($39.95). The repeller catches the
slightest breeze and spins, making an annoying sound that birds dread, and therefore avoid at all
costs. The WhirlyBird is made of recyclable plastic that's tough enough to withstand winds, and
it's ideal for boats, marinas and docks.
(800) 377-1103,
www.whirlybirdrepeller.com
HOLD 'ER STEADY
For anglers who are passionate about their sport, a nice conversation piece to have on your
office desk is Henry's Tackle Rod Rack Business Card Holder ($6.99). The card holder is decorated
with miniature rods and reels (the decorations are sold separately), which are so detailed, they
actually resemble the real deals.
(800) 685-4838,
www.westmarine.com