Weekly Daily Giz Wiz, Week of February 20th, 2012 Netcast 1354

It's time to party --- on the water.

Leo’s looking for a humongous Trawler for his retirement days, but that’s far away, if ever! But I found something more down-to-earth at the Miami International Boat Show. The name alone screams: “Leo” The boat company is Premier – same name (but different company) than the one that syndicates his Tech Guy Radio Show. And the model is – wait for it ---  the Grand Entertainer  -- just like Leo himself! It’s a pontoon, or party boat. Actually this one has 3 pontoons, so it’s more like a tri-toon boat! It comes in two lengths -- 26’ and 29'.  And this is very unique: it’s available in two different widths (or beams) – 8’6" and 10’. I’ve seen a lot of pontoon boats over years, but never one with a sexy, curved, full-service bar! The bar on the Grand Entertainer even has built in adjustable bar stools, and if you want, a bar rail! At the end of the bar there’s a gas-fired (propane) grill. There’s also a refrigerator and an Alpine sound system with six speakers throughout the boat. For clean-up, there’s a sink with a water pressure system. Since you’ll have plenty of new friends if you buy one of these, you’ll be happy to know the 260 has a USCG capacity of 16 people and the 290 is approved for 18 people. I’d never take out that many people at one time, but whatever the number, make sure you have life jackets for all. There are three batteries. Two run the refrigerator, water pump and the LED lights on the bar. Yep, LED’s! The third battery’s for engine(s) start-up. Engine-wise, the company recommends a minimum of 115 hp. At the top end of power options, is the boat I saw at the Miami Show. It has with twin 300 hp, four-stroke Suzuki outboards! Reported speed is 50 to 52 mph. The Grand Entertainer also has a raised Command View Platform for the skipper. With plenty of seating forward of the helm, the raised platform lets the captain see over the heads of the seated guests. And remember, the captain shouldn’t visit the bar, except of course, for soft drinks. Price depends on power options, but the boat I saw at the show was about $100,000. I would guess that by moving to a single engine, the cost could be reduced by about $20,000. And Premier offers lots of other models.

www.pontoons.com

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/zTZdVpSRyg8

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1354

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we record the show.

Here's a gadget I hope you never need. (Me either!)

It takes a healthy person to remember the HeartSine Samaritan Pad Public Access Defibrillator - with Adult & Pediatric PadPaks! This device was at the boat show because the spokesperson at the booth said it was the only waterproof Defibrillator. Of course its application is far wider than boats. It can be used in many emergency situations on land, sea or air. I asked if a person needed any special training to use the AED and he told me they just have to follow the written & audio instructions. He did a little demo, and it did seem really easy to use. Here’s more (edited for space) info from the company website: The HeartSine Samaritan Pad Public Access Defibrillator is an easy-to-use medical device especially designed for public access use, to administer lifesaving treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest. No complex displays or controls. A flashing green STATUS light indicates system is operational. The Samaritan PAD prompts you visually and audibly with clear, calm instructions - starting with "Adult Patient" if equipped for adult Pad-Pak, and "Child Patient" if equipped with pediatric-pak. Other prompts instruct users throughout the rescue process, while reminding users to "call for medical assistance." The system then guides the user through pad application to shock delivery if required. Electrode pads are contained in an innovative Pad-Pak or Pediatric-Pak, accessible by pulling the green tab. Pads are accessible with the unit in the storage case (supplied with each unit). When electrode pads are applied, the system automatically assesses the patient to determine if a shock is required. If not, the unit will prompt the rescuer to begin CPR. Verbal and visual prompts guide the rescuer when to touch and when not to touch the patient. If it is determined that a shock is required, the Shock Button illuminates. A CPR tone and flashing icon coach the rescuer in delivering chest compressions according to AHA or ERC 2005 guidelines- 100 compressions per minute - for 2 minute intervals. Lightweight (2.4 lb./1.1 kg. with battery). –And now, back to me! There’s a lot more info available, so check the company website. Cost is under $1300, but it’s a Sears for under $1200. It also looks like you can click a secret “discount coupon code” by registering at the company website.

Heartsine Technology: http://www.heartsinesamaritan.com/Home.html

Sears: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM4080806101P?aff=Y&i_cntr=1330106089696&sid=I0084400010000100600

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1354 

Something different --- a second video of the week!

Let’s face it, there’s not much that’s techie about a pair of sneakers. But when they call them “water shoes” or “Adventure Sneakers” and the person demonstrating them is walking up an oil-covered ramp, it does get your attention. At the Miami International Boat Show, they were doing demo’s of the new Teva Fuse-ion Adventure Sneaker. So Dennis Wunderlin grabbed the cam and we headed over the West Marine booth. It doesn’t look rugged, but Teva says the Fuse-ion has a lot of unique features. Their J-step sole provides a lot of traction. To demo that, the spokesperson Danielle poured Wesson oil on a plastic ramp and proceeded to walk up and down it. She showed how you must take deliberate steps, which lets the J-step sole lock onto the surface. She described as dozens of little suction cups grasping the surface, even through the oil The ripstop and mesh upper make for a breathable sneaker. Ion-mark technology prevents the materials in the shoe from absorbing any water. Water is locked out so the shoe stays dry, even if wet. Danielle also demonstrated a clever collapsible heel. You can push the heel down if you want to wear the Fuse-ion as a slide-on shoe, or raise it when you when a full lace-up sneaker. They’re available in a few color combinations and they come with both colorful laces and plain laces. They’re at West Marine, the Teva website and plenty of places online. Most places charge the MSRP of $90, but if you do a web search you might find them for about $10 less.

www.westmarine.com

www.teva.com

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/RAWxNo9TT0k

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw354

And now it's time for Leo's Turn The Table Turkey!

Monster – It’s not just cables anymore.

Lucky Leo had a visit from someone who works at Monster Cable just before we recorded this Weekly Daily Giz Wiz. And she brought him a nice gift. The Clarity HD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker. Yep, another product with a long, long name. This device is pretty neat. It’s an ultra-compact, high performance Bluetooth speaker that delivers some great wireless stereo sound. Monster says it’s optimized for Blackberry devices, smartphones, netbooks and notebook PCs. It has a built-in mic with advanced noise cancellation so you can use it for clear wireless hands-free calling and conferencing. Leo called my cell phone via the Clarity HD speakerphone and sound is quite good. Monster says the rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries can power up the device for up to 5 hours of playtime at full volume on a single charge. If you don’t have a Bluetooth device, it connects to an iPod or any device with a 3.5 mm headphone port using a mini-jack cable (cable not included). Leo thought the sound was room filling, especially considering the size of the device which contains twin speakers. It took less than a minute for Leo to wirelessly connect the ClarityHD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker to his Bluetooth equipped phone. A nice bonus is that you can control the music on your device from buttons on the Clarity HD Speaker. MSRP $119.95, but you can find it on Amazon for about $70. There is also a cheaper model on Amazon, but it’s the Clarity Speaker. The one Leo got was the Clarity HD Speaker.  

Monster website: http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=5917

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1354 

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we record the show.

Back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse for the Stay Alive Life Jacket.

It was about ten years ago when I met Dan Williams, and marine officer in Florida. Dan told me that during an emergency, people on a boat may have time to grab a life jacket, but nothing more. So he designed the Stay Alive Life Jacket to solve that problem by putting just about everything you need inside two zippered pockets built right onto the PFD. There’s a First Kit, flares, signal mirror, even dye to attract airplanes to your whereabouts! Dan told me that the Stay Alive Life Jacket has approval for use in Canada, and the United States. Each StayAlive Life Jacket includes:

45 ft. Buoyant heaving line (Canadian Coast Guard requirement) / Water-tight Orion flashlight (Canadian requirement) / Space for 3 Orion waterproof flares (US and Canadian requirement) / Sound signaling device, whistle (US and Canadian requirement) / Collapsible bailer (Canadian requirement) /Floating international distress flag / Manual propelling device / Signaling mirror with lanyard /Inflatable signaling device with reflective tape molded on the unit / Buddy lanyard to secure group together /Two phosphorescent light sticks

I think the cost has been a factor in the lack of success of the StayAlive Life Jacket. It sold for about $150 to $180. It's possible it's still for sale. I found a few places that show it, but didn't have it for sale.

Their former website no longer works. www.stayaliveinc.com

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1354

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we record the show.