New Gear
The impressive technology
behind this thermal heating vest
is promised to provide a safe
method of keeping warm, even
if it becomes fully immersed in
water. The Ursuit FIR Deep Heat
System is based on far infrared
radiation, an electromagnetic
radiation that reaches in the
region of 3-5cm into the body
and is said to last longer as it
heats blood circulation and
muscles, not just the part
touching the heating areas, so
your fi ngers and toes don’t
stay cold. Once charged, the
lightweight, battery-controlled
vest stays warm for three to fi ve
hours, depending on the heat
level selected. The fl eece vest
has three built-in thermal pads,
a battery and charger. Three
heat levels, 60°C, 50°C and
40°C, are operated via onePBO verdict
My mother-in-law Mag Hodgetts, who has been feeling particularly
cold after knee replacement surgery, put the Ursuit thermal heating
vest to the test over the winter. Mag was surprised by the four hours it
took for the unit to charge, but said the vest then warmed up quickly.
She found it comfortable to wear, although the battery pack was ‘a bit
chunky’ in the pocket. Mag said her top half was kept toasty warm for
the three hours the vest worked in the highest setting, but not the rest
of her. My husband Drew also tested out the Ursuit vest and found it
worked well, changing temperature quickly on different settings. He
thought the lock function was a bit temperamental – sometimes not
locking as expected, so he’d have to click back through the settings.
Drew thought it did the job, but was quite expensive.
Laura HodgettsUrsuit FIR
thermal heating vest
Gybe Tamer
This is said to absorb the shock loading
of the mainsheet, particularly when
gybing. It also reduces shock loads
during rapid tacking, and minimises
heeling owing to sudden gusts. Under
light wind conditions it remains closed,
but during gusts will extend progressively.
When gybing, it remains closed until
the boom passes the boat’s centreline. If this transition is rapid the Tamer will
extend, absorbing most of the boom’s kinetic energy, before closing again.
Under heavier winds the Tamer may extend to the maximum position, but this
can be altered by conventional use of the mainsheet and traveller. On gybing,
even if fully extended, it will close automatically before extending again to
absorb the rapid movement, so during unexpected gybes it can potentially
reduce injuries to crew and damage to rigging. It can be mounted between
the traveller and mainsheet, or between the mainsheet and boom, using
6mm shackles. GT-1, suitable for up to 15m^2 mainsail area, costs £75: GT-2,
suitable for up to 30m^2 mainsail area, costs £85. ■ http://www.jdp-marine.co.uk
WAECO CRX marine
refrigerator
The CRX is the fi rst marine refrigerator with
a removable freezer compartment which
can slide out to create a larger capacity
fridge-only unit. Alternatively, the entire unit’s
temperature can be reduced to 17°F (-8°C)
to provide a freezer. The CRX features a
fl ush-mount electronic thermostat control
panel, LED illumination and a three-speed
variable compressor.
The refrigerator was a category winner at
last year’s DAME design awards. The jury ‘liked its obvious fl exibility and
also the design detail evident, such as on the door catch that was nice to
operate: a small but important point on any item of galley equipment’.
The CRX is available with either a stainless steel door or standard door,
with six sizes available ranging from 45lt to 136lt. Prices start from £600.
■ http://www.dometic.co.ukLCJ Capteurs’ latest offerings
The WindyPlug is a new interface for
LCJ Capteurs’ ultrasonic wind
sensors, allowing compatibility with
existing NMEA 2000 instrument
networks. The WindyPlug also
features an embedded barometer.
LCJ Capteurs offer a range of
ultrasonic wind sensors, with both
wireless and wired connections. They
provide direct support to some brands,
notably B&G and Raymarine, but the
addition of NMEA 2000 opens their
market to a wider range of equipment.
Another newcomer is the Sonic-Anemo-
DVC, designed to connect directly to the
wind sensor input on Davis instruments.
This sensor replaces mechanical
anemometers and windvanes with
only the need for a power supply.
WindyPlug costs r186 (£134),
while prices for a sensor with
WindyPlug start from r 798
(£607.84). The Sonic-Anemo-
DVC costs r814.8 (£586.70).
■ http://www.lcjcapteurs.comFLIR AX8 Marine Thermal
Monitoring System
The AX8 combines thermal
and visible cameras in
a small package, and
integrates with
Raymarine LightHouse II-
powered multifunction
displays to keep an
eye on critical
equipment such as
engines, exhaust
manifolds and shaft
bearings. The system
was awarded a
Special Mention at the
DAME 2015 design awards. The jury commented: ‘The AX8 visually
highlights changes in temperature caused by hot spots and fl ooding
and audibly alerts to them via programmable alarms. It also features
FLIR’s MSX technology to improve image interpretation.’
The recommended retail price is r1,095 (£788.50).
■ http://www.fl ir.combutton, which also turns it on/off
and locks onto a heat setting
when you press and hold for
three seconds. Price £249.
■ http://www.andark.co.uk