Here is a quote from the NY Times automobile web letter: "Big Things Predicted for Bluetooth on the Road Analysts predict that the wireless technology, which lets computers and mobile electronic devices communicate with one another, will be available in 20 percent of new American cars by 2007. Go to Article From Automobile magazine: http://automobilemag.com/news/news_27_4/ " With all our talk about integrated boat electronic and control systems I'm surprised that no one mentioned Bluetooth. For those of us who aren't computer nerds, Bluetooth is a short range (<30') wireless communication system for connecting computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers, etc.) to the CPU. The tranceiver chips cost less than a dollar in quantity. This approach would be ideal for connecting all those remote displays, GPSs, and other gadgets we insist in putting on a boat. No wires need be threaded through impossibly crowded conduits. If the auto industry adopts Bluetooth on a wide scale, the systems will be rugged and reliable. After all, who wants instruments and controls to fail at 100 mph. (Are you listening Ford?). But probably they will be too cheap to put on boats. Larry Z

> With all our talk about integrated boat electronic and > control systems I'm surprised that no one mentioned > Bluetooth... > For what it's worth, I used a Bluetooth GPS communicating to my Palm Tungsten-T during my recent 700 nm cruise. It never failed and was a joy to use. There was one windy night at anchor where I was a little concerned about dragging. I set a tight anchor alarm on the Raymarine systems and left the Bluetooth GPS turned on at the helm too. It was nice to wake up in the middle of the night, flip on my Tungsten, and see that we hadn't moved...all while under the covers! ================ Jeffrey Siegel M/V aCappella DeFever 53PH Castine, Maine