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96 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2019DRAIN
THE
OCEAN
PHOTOS:^ (CLOCKWISEFROMTOP^ LEFT)^COURTESY^CMORMAPPING,^CRAIGHASHIMOTO,^COURTESY^ACR^ ELECTRONICSNow a new generation of
electronic charts can show
the same thing on a chart
plotter. Shaded-relief ba-
thymetry depicts the ocean
fl oor in three-dimensional
detail. These charts reveal
little-known wrecks, reefs
and rocks that boating anglers
love to target. Shaded relief is
derived from data gathered in
hydrographic surveys by the
National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration.
CMOR Mapping was the fi rst
to convert these data-rich
fi les for licensed use in chart
plotters, and until recently it
was the only company off ering
such charts (seen above). With
a monopoly and high demand,
CMOR has commanded prices
as high as $1,250 per chart.A National Geographic
TV series titled Drain
the Oceans shows how
the bottom of the sea
would appear without
any water.Garmin and Navico now off er
these charts. Garmin’s relief
shading will be integrated into
its new BlueChart g3 Vision
charts (up to $349.99, compat-
ible with Garmin products).
Navico—parent company
of Lowrance, Simrad and
C-Map—will off er a shaded-
relief feature called Reveal in
the new C-Map Max-N+ local
chart cards ($299, compatible
with Navico products).
CMOR has much of Florida,the Gulf and the Northeast
done, and is fi nishing up the
mid-Atlantic before moving
on to the West Coast. Garmin’s
BlueChart g3 Vision charts are
scheduled to be available for all
coastal waters and major lakes
by the time you read this. C-Map
is starting with Florida, the Gulf
and Eastern Seaboard, and will
roll out the Reveal feature for
the Northeast, mid-Atlantic,
Florida, the Bahamas, upper
Gulf, West Coast and Alaska.By Jim HendricksCAN YOU
RECOMMEND
A BACKUP
EMERGENCY
VHF ANTENNA IN
THE EVENT MY
ANTENNA FAILS
OR IS BROKEN?ASK KEN ONLINE
For more exclusive
electronics content, visit
boatingmag.com/askken.ACR Electronics has launched a
new generation of its ResQLink
personal locator beacons (PLBs).
ACR used feedback from survivors
who have activated the beacons
in emergencies to develop the
ResQLink 400 and ResQLink View.
User-friendly design enhances
functionality in life-threatening
situations, according to ACR. The
View model includes an optical
display that shows GPS coordinates,
operating instructions, usage tips
and battery power. The PLBs include
an infrared strobe light in addition tothe ultrabright strobe light to assist
rescue crews using night-vision
goggles.
Featuring built-in buoyancy, the
PLBs have a 24-hour operating life.
The ResQLink View PLB weighs just
5.3 ounces, while the nondisplay
ResQLink 400 weighs 5.2 ounces.
Each measures 4.52 inches long by
2.03 inches wide by 1.49 inches deep.
Both models offer multiple wear-
able mounting options and have
easy-to-release antennas. $299.99
for ResQLink 400; $349.99 for
ResQLink 400 View; acrartex.comThe 5911 Stowaway emer-
gency VHF antenna ($108)
from Shakespeare is a
10-inch-tall antenna that
comes with 12 feet of coaxial
cable and a suction-cup base.
It comes packaged in a
12-inch plastic tube, and
can be ready for use at a
moment’s notice. It fastens
to any flat, smooth surface.
Shakespeare’s INFL8-5
($149) is an inflatable VHF
radio antenna that comes in
a compact stowable case,
and can be quickly inflated
to 5 feet in length by means
of a CO^2 cartridge or manual
inflation tube. It is good in
an emergency, for use on a
dinghy or raft, or for stowage
in your ditch bag.
Most sailboat antennas
can be drafted into service
as a backup emergency
antenna aboard a power-
boat. Typically 3 to 4 feet
in length with a flexible
stainless-steel whip, these
antennas can be easily
stored under a shelf or
berth, or in a cabinet or
hanging locker. They can be
secured to a stanchion, rail
or outrigger with a cord or
electrical tape when needed.
—Ken EnglertACR’S NEW-
GENERATION
PLB MODELS
Shaded-Relief Compatible Price per
Charts MFD Brands Chart Card
C-Map Max-N+ Lowrance, Simrad $299
Reveal
CMOR Furuno, Lowrance, $700 to $1,250
Mapping Mercury VesselView,
Simrad, Raymarine
Garmin BlueChart Garmin $249.99 to $349.99
g3 Vision