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Just saw Spanish Fly advertise this...looks like they are on to something here!...

http://www.rei.com/product/816133/sp...e-communicator

they've been out for a while. works like an Epirb, but has the capability of sending a less urgent message, also allows you to track on Google earth

When they upgrade it to make a simple phone call plus GPS plus emergency services then they'll sell the piss outtuvem...

I'd say that it is just a matter of time till smart phones INCLUDE sat phone and epirb options.... that's be shaweet

I suspect you are CORRECTAMUNDO!!...:beer:

I'm wondering whats going to happen with depth finders and GPS' You figure most of them have gone up a bunch lately, an I pad or similar device will give you a bigger and better screen, plus more capabilities for less money(expect for the depth finder parts, at least not yet). Lap tops already have the ability to run gps, depth, radar, google earth maps, weather fax, stream data, camera inputs and just about anything else you want. Once they start making them all solid state or rugged like the panasonic tough book, you won't need to spend big bucks on a GPS that will be outdated in just a few years

I cant wait till I can use my smart phone to change the channel on my tv

You already can with certain new tvs. My girlfriend works for a Chevy dealership and they have a car you start with your phone turn ac or heat on and adjust air pressure in the tires!

Guys on the The Hull Truth forum are using tablets with interface software for depth,radar,plotter and engine monitoring capabilities. With The cheap tablets there using vaucum bags to protect the tablet. They figure they can buy the tablet for 300 to 500 dollars and 80 dollars worth of software and have a 3000 dollar set up. There are some cool threads on that forum about using pc's and tablets.

they will have to take care of this before phones and things can take over, but i agree we are changing.

February 24, 2012

Dear BoatU.S. Member:

Last summer boaters sent a clear message to the Federal Communications Commission – “Don’t Mess with GPS!" As you may remember, a private company, LightSquared, received preliminary FCC approval to offer a new cellular broadband service. Tests showed this service could significantly interfere with GPS signals.

Thanks to over 18,000 boaters who submitted comments, along with many other GPS users, the FCC required additional testing in the fall. (Thank you all for your help!) Last week, these tests revealed that the LightSquared’s network would interfere with GPS and that there are no practical fixes. As a result, the FCC has proposed to withdraw LightSquared's approval.(http://www.gps.gov/news/2012/02/lightsquared/)

The FCC has a new comment period (open to March 1) asking for the public’s opinion. Even if you wrote last summer, please take a few minutes now and write the FCC asking them to protect the GPS signal by saying “No” to LightSquared’s current proposal. Given this company’s tenacity over the last year, we want to make sure that boaters’ needs are remembered as the FCC makes their final decision.

Important points to make:

How do you use GPS in your life – on the water, on land, or in the air?
What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable?
Wireless broadband service is important, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
All the studies show that LightSquared’s proposed network would cause interference and that there are no remedies.
Tell FCC that you rely on them to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and that you support their recommendation to stop LightSquared’s current proposal

You can submit comments directly to the FCC through their online comment form. (We regret we can’t streamline this process for you, but it is important enough we’re still asking for your help.) Here’s how:

Click on this link for the FCC’s Electronic Comments Filing System (ECFS): http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list
Select “Proceeding Number 11-109.” It should be near the top of the list.
In the designated boxes, enter your name and mailing address.
In the box that says “Type in or paste your brief comments,” do so. Click “Continue”.
A review page will load listing all of the information entered. If correct, click “Confirm.”
If you have any trouble, you may contact the FCC ECFS Helpdesk at 202-418-0193 or email at [email protected]

Thank you for taking action to protect the integrity of the GPS system.