Nautilus LifelineMarine Rescue GPS nexGen

I just bought something I hope I never have to use. But isn’t that what insurance is all about? This Nautilus GPS emergency beacon is something I will never do without on an open dive, especially in tidal waters. I also recommend it for surfers, paddlers, kayakers, and strong swimmers who think they can beat a rip current. What happens if they can’t? They activate their GPS beacon. Order 2 CR123A photo batteries when you buy this. It comes without batteries.

Excelente producto

Today, the Nautilus GPS is one of the best options when it comes to scuba diving in remote locations. Divers around the world know that there are certain dive sites in the world that have very particular characteristics of currents and waves. The island of Malpelo, in Colombia, is one of those places. Possessing an abundance and variety of fish without equal, the waters of the island are also renowned for their strong ocean currents. It is there where the Nautilus GPS takes on special prominence, providing the necessary security element to fully enjoy this beautiful place.

Ok, I bought one of these and installed the batteries, problem #1 there was only one screw to hold the sealed battery compartment closed. Also, with new batteries, I couldn't turn the thing on. So I arrange for a return/exchange thru Amazon. Get in another unit. At least the second one has both battery compartment screws to seal the water tight compartment. Put batteries in and the top on, but the blue light won't stop flashing and I can't turn the thing off. I can understand maybe getting one, but two in a row with problems?

This is not the most coherently written review, but I don’t feel like editing at the moment.This is a must for diving. The o-seals are not the most robust. It should have a double oring and it doesn’t. They use a weird gasket. That said, if it doesn’t flood and you do drift off, it could save your life.Programming to a ship’s MMSI is a bit of a trick the first time. You program an app on your phone with the MMSI. You put the transmitter in program mode. Then you aim the phones light at the center of the antenna holder. A series of flashes programs the MMSI into the transmitter. You need to deploy the antenna to do this. You then re roll the antenna with the tool that is provided.I dislike the tool. It’s small and easy to misplace. There is no simple place to store it. They should design the antenna so it doesn’t need a tool for deployment.

good quality, quick delivery

I installed the batteries, and when I closed the watertight cap, the clasp broke off its hinge fulcrum on the case. I exchanged it for a new one, and when it arrived the next day, the exact same thing happened at the exact same place. I exchanged it again and the exact same thing happened as soon as I had installed the batteries.Other than this obvious and crippling failure method, it's a great design. It's simple, effective, and has no subscription fees like Garmin does. It's smaller and lighter than its predecessor. But the case needs to be made out of something much sturdier than plastic for an application like this. I was initially a little reluctant to invest in one because of the reviews complaining about it flooding. I considered I don't know how detail-oriented the reviewers were about ensuring the O-rings were lubricated (battery compartment) and non-lubricated (cap), the seal and its seat were free of hair, granular debris, or other foreign objects... I took their comments with a healthy lick of salt. NOW I'm wondering if their case broke like mine did. It might not have been obvious until they opened it and found it fractured.As far as ease of use, it's great... for the most part. As mentioned, you must ensure the seal's integrity is uncompromised. I accidentally deployed the antenna and cursed a lot for about 20 minutes before I could get it re-wound correctly. The buttons require more force to press than you'd normally think for a button, but that makes sense w.r.t. limiting accidental activation.The iOS app for the device is pretty good, and can help tailor the device to specific radio signals in use by the boat(s) you're on. By following the directions on-screen, it was pretty fool-proof. I wish the battery life was easier to check. Opening and closing the lid was the thing that broke off the clasp, so any kind of signal that doesn't involve opening the lid would be great, like through the app.As far as value for money, I'd put it around more like $100-150, and that is assuming the case never, ever breaks. But then again I've never been stranded at sea. Maybe to you it's worth more.

Product arrived exactly as expected. 5 stars for quick delivery.