ACR BIVY STICK

A great holiday gift for cruising boaters is the ACR Bivy Stick two-way satellite messenger.

The 4-inch-tall device works with a mobile app to provide an affordable option for sending SMS messages, tracking and sharing locations, accessing charts, viewing weather forecasts and initiating a distress call. Requiring a subscription fee, the easy-to-use device weighs just 3 ounces and works with a smartphone anywhere with a view of the sky. An SOS button contacts rescue services in an emergency. $349.95 plus $58.33 per month for six months; amazon.com