New Gear
Celebrate YOUR Classic Kit!
What has served you well?
CLASSIC KIT Email [email protected]The Target Depth sounder
(pictured right) was launched in
November 1992 and sold in the
thousands over the next nine
years. It was superseded by the
Target 2 Depth (pictured far right) in
2001: the ‘new’ model featured a
much larger display for easier
viewing and intelligent signal
processing for strong and reliable
performance in all conditions. The
Target 2 Depth, and the Target
Log, Wind and Compass, still sell
in high volume today.The Target 2 model was voted
the PBO Best Budget Buy in an
electronics test in the June 2007
issue. Pat Manley reported: ‘This is
a very basic depth sounder, but for
ease of use that’s no bad thing’.
You can set a shallow alarm and a
deep alarm, with activation of
either showing a fl ashing bell
symbol and causing an externally-
mounted buzzer to sound. The
display size is excellent and its
power consumption is miserly.
There is no NMEA output, so theNASA Target 2 cannot be
networked with other equipment.
Users are advised to fi nd a good
bit of hull by attaching the
transducer with chewing gumbefore committing to a permanent
fi xture. The Target 2 Depth sounder
has a depth range of 0.8-100m
and currently retails for £105.
■ http://www.nasamarine.comColapz bucket
Similar in style to canvas buckets, the Colapz
bucket is designed to twist down fl at and stay
that way, with a sturdy elastic strap that keeps
it fl attened and doubles as a handy hanging
loop. Made from recyclable plastic and
available in a range of vibrant colours, the
bucket has a 10lt capacity. It is promised to be
safe for carrying food and drink, UV-resistant
so it won’t dry out or fade in summer,
frost-proof so it won’t crack in winter, and
non-marking. At full size, it measures H25cm x
W22cm x L22cm: when collapsed, the height
is reduced to 6cm. The bucket is priced at £9.
The Colapz range also features a collapsible
watering can, a 2-in-1 watering can/bucket
and the new Colapz liquid carrier with a 9L
capacity, which includes a dispensing tap
and incorporated level indicator (all £29).
Q http://www.colapz.co.ukCoast PolySteel LED torches
Coast’s new PolySteel range combines a stainless-steel
core with a lightweight textured polyresin coating:
the torches have been tested to withstand a 3m
drop onto concrete. As well as being impact-
and crash-resistant, the PS torches are
waterproof to 3m, heat- and dust-resistant.
They come with a lifetime warranty.
The 13cm-long PS200 offers a pure white
LED beam, which can be focused, and has
three power levels: High (250 lumen, 121m
beam for 3.5hrs), Medium (87 lumen, 68m
beam for 9hrs), and Low (26 lumen, 37m
beam for 35hrs). It uses 3xAAA batteries and
is priced at £24.95.
The higher-specifi cation PS400 measures
15.24cm and costs £28.95 with 300 lumens of
light output, 194m beam distance and a
1h 30mins runtime, while the PS600
measures 20.32cm and retails at £34.95
with 620 lumens light output and a 2h
runtime and 234m beam distance.
■ http://www.nauticalia.com
Verdict
I was expecting the bucket to collapse
mid-use, but to my surprise it is quite rigid. It
did a great job cleaning a conservatory! The
Colapz bucket is now folded up neatly back in
the cupboard, ready for its next use. The only
complaint is my husband wasn’t happy
carrying the hot pink bucket. Recommended.
Jane SmithUrsuit thermal heating vest
The Ursuit FIR Deep Heat System is designed to stay warm for
between three to fi ve hours. Promised to be ideal for cold
night-time passages or sitting on the rail during a freezing
winter race, the lightweight, battery-controlled vest is
designed to be safe and warm even if the vest becomes
fully immersed in water.
The system consists of a fl eece vest, three thermal
pads, battery and charger: heating power can be set to
three different levels and, depending on the level
selected, the battery lasts between three to fi ve hours.
The warming effect of the vest is based on FIR (far
infrared ray) radiation: FIR radiation reaches in the region
of 3-5cm into the body and is said to last longer as it
heats blood circulation and muscles. This should help
keep your whole body warm, not just the part touching
the heat source, so your fi ngers and toes don’t stay cold.
Priced at £299.
■ http://www.andark.co.ukNASA Target Echo Sounder