Newsletter #10 - December 2, 2008

ActiveCaptain Explores Bluetooth Headsets for Boats...


In This Issue:

- Mobile Phones on Your Boat Series expands
    Adding a Bluetooth Headset explores how headsets
    can enhance mobile phone usage on your boat.

- User survey results
    You've told us what's important and what's not.
    We're listening!

- Cell Ranger is proving to be a success!
    Some of your fellow Captains tell us what they
    think of the new Cell Ranger amplifier for their
    mobile phone.



Mobile Phones on Your Boat Series expands
=========================================
Visit the ActiveCaptain web site to view the next article in our Mobile Phones on Your Boat Series, Adding a Bluetooth Headset:
http://www.activecaptain.com/articles/mobilePhones/bluetoothHeadsets.php

We look at how a Bluetooth headset can improve your mobile phone usage on your boat.

The article includes basic information about Bluetooth technology, the features we feel are most important when considering a Bluetooth headset for use on your boat, and a look at a new headset that extends the typical capabilities. A headset that can double as a walkie-talkie? Is the claim too good to be true?



User survey results
===================
In the last newsletter we asked you to respond to a short survey to provide us feedback as we plan our next enhancements to ActiveCaptain. We thank all of you who responded. So what were the results?

Your responses to some questions were unmistakable, while others were more vague. However one message came through loud and clear: you want new markers that will indicate hazards and warnings. We hear you and we certainly understand. We will be adding a new orange Hazards & Warnings marker to the ActiveCaptain web site soon. And of course, this marker will also appear on your mobile phone running the ActiveCaptain Mobile software.

The Hazards & Warnings marker will cover areas with shoaling, dangerous locations, construction, hazards to navigation and other general warnings. There will be a way for you to quickly verify whether or not the hazard still exists to accommodate the often changeable marine environment. Look for this new marker for the Spring migration. We'll let you know in an ActiveCaptain newsletter when it's available.



Cell Ranger is proving to be a success!
=======================================
The Cell Ranger amplifier has proven to be a real success with our Captains. They like the low cost, the fact that it needs no installation, and the increased mobile access it provides. Here's what some of them are saying:

"I clipped the antenna base on a mesh metal box for use as a ground plane and plugged it into the 12VDC outlet on my boat. The signal strength indicator on the phone increased by three bars! The ease of use is terrific. I plan to take my collection of more complicated cell phone amplifiers and antennae off the boat."

- Dean Wiley, Legacy 32


"As soon as I received the Cell Ranger, I went to a known location where I've never been able to make a call. I pulled the unit out of the box, plugged it in, and had 3-4 bars right away."

- LRE, Megayacht supply specialist


"The Cell Ranger has worked great and improved our bars whether we're near a populated area or in a remote location on the ICW. As an added bonus, we easily moved it to our rental car and used it on a land-based visit to family. It's simple and it works."

- Chris Silverton, 44' Island Packet


Check out the Cell Ranger on our web site:
http://www.activecaptain.com/GM/CR.php



Thank you for supporting this project. And don't forget to add your marina reviews and favorite anchorages!


==================================
Karen and Jeffrey Siegel
aCappella
Castine, Maine

www.activecaptain.com
The Interactive Cruising Guidebook

2010-03-16	#29 - ActiveCaptain Co-Ops - This is big...
2010-02-23	#28 - ActiveCaptain "X" is now live
2010-02-15	#27 - ActiveCaptain Loves MaxSea/Furuno
2010-01-19	#26 - ActiveCaptain 2010
2009-12-10	#25 - ActiveCaptain X goes beta
2009-11-17	#24 - Quick Lists
2009-10-20	#23 - A fresh look at the iPhone
2009-09-22	#22 - Are we the wave of the future?
2009-08-19	#21 - ActiveCaptain Sets Sail
2009-07-21	#20 - Rescue Tape for 150 Points
2009-07-14	#19 - ActiveCaptain Rocks!
2009-07-01	#18 - ActiveCaptain Gets a Facelift
2009-06-02	#17 - Another ActiveCaptain award!
2009-05-19	#16 - Hats off to you!
2009-05-06	#15 - Twitter, New PodCast, and more
2009-03-17	#14 - Using phones in the Bahamas
2009-03-03	#13 - The best fuel prices
2009-01-28	#12 - SAIL innovation award
2009-01-05	#11 - Power accessories article
2008-12-02	#10 - Bluetooth headsets article
2008-10-28	#9 - The next wave
2008-09-13	#8 - ActiveCaptain Mobile news
2008-06-15	#7 - Mad Mariner
2008-03-12	#6 - ActiveCaptain Mobile
2008-01-21	#5 - Inlets
2007-09-19	#4 - Boat ramps
2007-07-09	#3 - Local knowledge released
2007-04-14	#2 - Global support
2007-02-11	#1 - Anchorages released

Read the award winning nineteen part series on mobile phones on boats.

Learn how to train your canine crew to use the "poop deck" and a unique way to get them into the dinghy.

Find out what's in our ditch bag and see what unusual products we have found invaluable on our cruises.