<?xml version="1.0"?> <img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/Greg_testing_Yamaha.jpg"><h2>Greg testing Yamaha.jpg</h2>Each month we'll bring you our favourite bits of kit, all tested in the pages of MBM. From outboard engines, bags, watches, deck shoes, chartplotters, satphones and torches, we've had our hands on it all. <br><br>Click through our gallery for some of the best marine gear on the market.<img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/Garmin_watch.jpg"><h2>Garmin watch.jpg</h2><strong>Garmin Quatix</strong><br>Effectively a handheld GPS on your wrist, this watch is NMEA 2000 compatible, so it can be used as an MOB alarm and autohelm controller. <br><br>When away from the helm, 
MBM was able to glance down and see the speed, regardless of where we were on the boat. We could also note the heading, our trip distance, time on the move 
and even air pressure and temperature.<br><br>The watch can also show you your route, although the screen is a little too small to offer much detail. The only criticism we have is that it often lost GPS signal and we occasionally noticed that we were doing 35 knots...while tied up in the marina. <br><strong><em>£380<br></em></strong><a href="http://www.garmin.com" target="_blank">www.garmin.com</a><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/sperry_shoes.jpg"><h2>sperry shoes.jpg</h2><strong>Sperry Top-Sider Boat Lite</strong> <strong>2-Eye</strong><br>Finding the right deck shoes can be difficult, but Sperry offers a huge range of shoes for every taste. We went for the Top-Sider Boat Lite 2-eye deck shoes that claim to be not only lightweight but they also float. We weren't aware there was a problem with sinking deck shoes, but you live and learn. <br><br>The ability to float isnt a reason to buy shoes, but comfort certainly is. At first the thing that struck us was how incredibly light they are. It felt like we were wearing a pair of slippers rather than deck shoes, which are often quite heavy.<br><br>These could possibly be the best deckies we have ever worn.<br><strong><strong>£80<br></strong></strong><a href="http://www.arenamenswear.com/Sperry-Boat-Lite-Navy.htm" target="_blank">www.arenamenswear.com</a><strong><br><br></strong><br><br><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/icom_radio.jpg"><h2>icom radio.jpg</h2><br><strong>IC-M91D</strong> <strong>VHF radio</strong><br>MBM used the Icom IC-M91D VHF during the <strong>2013 Round the Island Race</strong>, when its imperative to hear transmissions in the cockpit for the race start. It worked faultlessly, with a slightly crisper tone compared with our old Icom handheld. This might well be down to the radios noise-cancelling function, which claims to reduce background noise by up to 90%. <br><br>It wasnt until returning to our old Icom that we realised just how clear the M91D is.<br>Visually its another classic Icom, ergonomically rounded and lightweight. It features Icoms Floatn Flash technology, whereby if the radio falls into the water, it will float on its back with the LCD, backlit keypad and distress button face up and flashing, making it easier to see and retrieve.<br><br>Our only criticism is on charging: the IC-M91D doesnt come with a 12V lead, which is the way most of us would charge a VHF while at sea. <br><strong><strong>£299</strong><br></strong><a href="http://www.icomuk.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.icomuk.co.uk</a><strong><br></strong><br><br><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/torch.jpg"><h2>torch.jpg</h2><strong>Tiny Monster 26 Quadray</strong><br>Not so long ago, a torch was an object that cost a few quid and made dark areas a bit lighter. Now we have the TM26, featuring 3500 lumens. Its bright turning night into day bright and its also an incredibly well-engineered product.<br><br> MBM has never handled a machine gun, but we fancy it would feel like this torch. A heavy, metal casing houses four LED beams, powered by 18650 or CR123 batteries. Neither are freely available, leaving us to hit the web and shell out another £15 on top of the steep £299 torch price.<br><strong><em>£299<br></em></strong><a href="http://www.heinnie.com/" target="_blank">www.heinnie.com</a><br><br><img src="http://www.mby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/11/Yamaha.jpg"><h2>Yamaha.jpg</h2><strong>Yamaha Joystick Control</strong><br>As with existing sterndrive applications, in this option the outboards are locked parallel in normal mode, just like any twin outboard set up, but switch on the joystick control and the engines take on lives of their own, thanks to individual steering motors. <br><br>Fitted to a RIB with minimal windage, the joystick easily allows it to crab sideways. As well as all-direction control you can twist the control to spin the boat on its axis. Push forward and the boat moves ahead on both engines, add some angle and they turn in unison. A switch allows the user to increase the power should the wind or tide be against you.<br><br>In joystick mode, the wheel is locked, but move the throttle and the control is instantly back at the helm. <br><strong>Expect this option to add £10,000.<br></strong><a href="http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/index.aspx" target="_blank">www.yamaha-motor.eu</a><strong><br><br></strong>
