Aquapac Mini waterproof case for Iphone, Galaxy S, HTC and more

In a sport where water inevitably surrounds us, keeping your electronics and valuables dry is always a challenge.

These days, smart phones are just as handy a tool to have in your tackle box as any other. Being able to check your smart phone for a updated weather report or to utilize a navigation app on the water means exposing your pricey gadget to the elements. This is where Aquapac’s Mini waterproof case comes into its own.

The Mini case will fit most phones, including the popular Iphone, Galaxy S and most HTCs. For larger phones such as the Galaxy S2, they will fit but it’s a tight squeeze. In which case you might be better off going up to the “small” case.

Touch screens still work fine through the Aquapac cases, including cameras and capacitive touchscreens. After some extensive testing on the water, I can’t seem to flaw the case on usability. There seems to be no problems with audio. Everything comes through loud and clear.

If you plan on using your Aquapac mini case for underwater photography, this can be tricky, as the capacitive touch screens will not work under water. You can however explore your Jacques Cousteau side by pressing the “record” button above the waterline. With the new Iphone 4S recording in 1080p HD, this case opens up a whole new world of fishing film possibilities. It is rated to 5 meters.

A handy feature is that if you accidentally drop your phone into the water, the case will float thanks to a perfect seal and trapped air. The high-frequency welded seams form a super strong, super water proof bond to keep water out. The patented Aquaclip® opens and closes on the top of case with a simple twist of two levers.

The verdict? This handy little accessory is now going to have a permanent place in my tackle kit. Being a modern day gadget savvy angler, I love the advantages that smart can give us on the water. Tide and weather information at your finger tips, HD video and high quality cameras. Being able to safely access all these features is crucial and the Aquapac Mini case does just that. Available now at all good retailers.

For a list of Australian stockists check out Everest sports http://www.everestsports.com.au/retailersb.php

http://www.aquapac.net/

 

 

2011 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Boat Show

The 2011 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Boat Show at the Convention Center was a great event in despite of the rain. Fort Lauderdale is also known as and nicknamed the “Yachting Capital of the World”, and the convention center hosted their 51st annual event for the boat show.

The show runs from Oct. 27th (Prime Time Preview)-Oct. 31st, 2011, with more than 3 million square feet of space over five locations. The show’s transportation network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can easily navigate the boat show and its expansive waterways system.

Show exhibits range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels were displayed including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, flats boats, skiffs, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes, and extraordinary superyachts. Added attractions include The Blue Wild Dive Show, IGFA’s School of Sportfishing, and Hook the Future’s Kids Fishing Clinics. The show also hosted some of the top names in angling as they gave seminars, tips to the trade, and priceless rigging demonstrations.

I was invited by Damien Lavellee, owner of www.KrackenKoolGear.com Apparels and Carey Chen, Marine Artist, as they will be be featured in future articles. It was an honor for me to attend the show as a guest. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit the wide variety of sport fishers, bay boats, flats, and the superyachts in the marinas due to the weather.

The show displayed many of the top brands in the industry and some products in prototype phases. I also had the privilege to Meet Stu Apte, member of the IGFA Hall Of Fame and past holder of 44 World Records and part of the FINS - Situational Braided Spectra Lines – family. As a Pro Staffer for FINS, I was honored and humbled by his presence as he signed a FINS staffer catalog for me.

Be sure to come down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, next year and check out some of the newest and hottest ticket items on the market and get the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the industry and most products are discounted at the boat show.

Visit Florida, the “Fishing Capital of the World”and be sure to check out the Miami, Florida, Boat Show in March, 2012, when all the big boys come out to play. Please check for dates and times. Life is great, get out and get some. No one else will do it for you. Take a kid fishing and pass the knowledge, not the ignorance.

Tight Lines!

Check out the rest of the pics in the gallery below..

Filtrate Eyewear Decki Sunglasses Giveaway!

Filtrate Eyewear’s polarised shades manage to keep your style in check, without that “hole in your wallet” feeling after purchase. Filtrate has an extensive range of frames to all tastes. The entire range features Stainless steel hinges, that are strengthened to last the distance.

The Polarised polycarbonate lenses block out a whopping 99% of polarised light waves, and 100% of the harmful UV rays(UVA, UVB & UVC). This makes a them the perfect companion for any angler spending time on the water. Keeping your eyes safe for years to come.

The frames are also made of a strong high quality polycarbonate. The memory flex injected frames are a great example of Filtrates practical use of materials for an item that is inevitably going to get knock around a bit.

Our friends over at Filtrate Eyewear have kindly sent us a pair of their affectionately named ”Decki” glasses to give away. So how do you get your hot hands on a pair? Simply reply below in the comments section, and answer the following question:

What would you use your brand new pair of Filtrate Eyewear Deckie polarised shades for?

*Just make sure you include a valid email! Don’t worry, it won’t be used for annoying spam it is just a method of contacting the winner. Tackle Tester will pick a winner before the end of the month.

Check out the above design and many more at http://www.filtrateeyewear.com/

SeaHunter Boat dropped 20 feet!

We have seem some pretty extreme claims by manufacturers putting their products to the test, but this one by Seahunter Boats takes the cake.Seahunter were so confident in the strength and build of their vessels they dropped the boat onto concrete from over 20 feet(that’s over 6 meters for us metric folk!)

As you can see from the video, the hull not only survives, it drives just as well as a brand new one would immediately after the test. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, Seahunter then cuts the boat in almost half. Cutting the vessel takes almost 3 hours to do thanks to the layered and almost impenetrable construction of the vessel. The Seahunter is then put back in the water for another sea trial.

Amazingly the boat STILL drives, and by the looks of things even gets up on the plane! Crazy stuff and a must watch video.

http://www.seahunterboats.com/

Adidas Boat Lace

Want some new boat sneaks?

Adidas have it for you here. Grippy, lightweight with free-draining mesh bottom and a quick-dry fabric upper.  Good toe protection so no problems on the rocks, or with teeth and available in a range of fashion colours.

Check out the range here, at Adidas.

Berkley Hotwire Line cutter review

With so many ‘super lines’ on the market today, it’s difficult enough for any angler to decide which one to purchase. Then, after deciding which braided line to go with, what do you cut it with? Having used almost every tool on the market from glorified nail clippers to carbonite tip pliers, I found the near perfect tool; Berkley’s Hotwire Line Cutter. The wire tip gets to an astonishing 1200-1500 degrees in a split second, instantly cuts and cauterizes all types of fishing line, and prevents line from fraying and knots from slipping. The replaceable tungsten tip retracts when not in use and comes with a replacement, two AA batteries and lanyard. (Some models may use two AAA batteries).

Most anglers are probably thinking, does this line cutter really work, how well does it cut and most importantly, is this a waste of time and money? All are valid questions that I too asked myself almost three years ago when I got my hands on this little gadget. I’m very ecstatic to say that I haven’t looked back since and I have yet to use the replacement tip.

Near the tip is a little light bulb for night-time use and is powered by a separate battery that comes with it too, which I have not had to change yet either. Both tip and light activate at the simple slide of the thumb. This inexpensive tool is a must for any angler using braided line. It will cut mono or fluoro with no problem but I reserve the tool for braided line only, as mono and fluoro lines leave a film on the tip and can be melted off but uses up the batteries a little faster.

$9.99US dollars is not much to pay for such a great Berkley tool. In an extreme emergency, the tool can be used to light a fire by applying the tip to kindling; something I had to do while my lighter was drying off. I bet Berkley didn’t see that coming.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/tools-and-equipment/classics/line-cutter-hotwire

+Simplism Waterproof Ipad Case

Something a bit left of field here, but with the rising number of anglers using Iphones and Ipads for their navigational needs I thought it’s only fitting we featured a way to keep those handy gadgets dry! The +Simplism waterproof Ipad case is built to keep your iPad protected from the elements. It is made of durable TPU materials, neoprene and features two inner vinyl zipper AND velrcro to stop water penetration. It also features a nylon shoulder strap and two suction cup hooks and a wire stand.

Available now to purchase through Simplisms website http://www.simplism.jp/en/products/ipad/waterproof_case/index.html

The Navionics Ipad App is available on the App store or via this link http://www.navionics.com/MobileMarineFeatures.asp?MobileType=iPad

Tackle Testers new look and Tshirt giveaways!

Just a quick post to advise you of a few changes to Tackle Tester. We are in the process of updating the website with a new logo, colour scheme and a few new categories including the Boating & Marine reviews section. We have put any new content in the new new catergory just yet, but stay tuned as there will be a tonne of useful info and reviews in coming months.

For those interested in winning a free T-shirt, head on over to the Tackle Tester Facebook page. You can see the link on the right hand side bar and it takes yoau directly to the Facebook page. Like it and then you will be able to Tag yourself in the picture of the Tshirt. We have 3 to give away and will be drawing it in coming weeks.

Thanks again to all the readers and fans of Tackle Tester for your support over the past few years. It’s been great fun and we are looking forward to keep on improving Tackle Tester whenever and where ever we can.

Good Fishing
The Team at Tackle Tester.

Finger Savers from ProTackle

Looking suspiciously like man-jewelery, this latest offering from Pro Tackle piqued our interest.

Who hasn’t cut themselves cinching knots in braid, or reached for pliers to really put the welly into a heavy mono knot?

These Finger Savers are anodied aluminium rings, available in 3 colours, with an inset of plastic to stop the line from slipping. They’re sold in pairs and really save your skin when reefing your knots up nice and tight and tight. Even better than gloves, they take up next to no space in the tackle box, so they’re there when you need them next time.

Check them out at Pro Tackle!

Shimano Australia 2012 Teaser Video

Hot on the heels of the Australian Tackle Show, Shimano has released a teaser video for those who didn’t attend the show. The video includes some of highlights of what they will be releasing for the 2011-2012 season including a few we have already touched on at Tackle Tester such as the new Stradic and Sustains, plus a few others like the Beast Master electrics and new Aernos.

A spin off website by Shimano’s marketing team, the Shimano Shack is due to open up soon. It will include prizes, Shimano news and a few other bits and pieces. Here’s hoping there is some useful information rather than some other competitors similar websites that have just ended up being one giant advert.
http://www.shimanoshack.com.au/

« Previous Page — Next Page »