Extended Use Review: EcoRox Bluetooth Speaker

Enjoy tunes played wireless from your smartphone or Bluetooth enabled device with the EcoRox Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker! The EcoRox is a small rugged self powered and rechargeable lasting up to 10 hours of play time! The range of wireless play is around a max of 33 feet making it great for use on a kayak. Its IPX7 full submersible waterproof rating ensures the speaker to be protected against accidentally rolling your kayak. If not mounted it also floats!

The EcoRox is excellent for time spent out on the water when you’d like to enjoy music or even back at camp around the campfire. Its volume is loud enough to vibrate your entire kayak while providing a clear sound on windy days. For such a compact speaker the bass is excellent!

The EcoRox has two mounting options which make this a superior choice in Bluetooth speakers for water sports. The integrated carabiner allows for quick clipping the speaker to a pack or bungee. In addition on the bottom of the speaker molded in is a brass 1/2-20 threaded insert allowing it to be compatible with any RAM or Yak Attack system.

RAM Mounts:

• RAP-B-366U (Mounts to Speaker)
• RAP-B-201U-A (Short Arm) or
• RAP-B-379U-252025 (Jackson Kayak Threaded Inserts)
• Various Flush Mounting Options

Yak Attack:

1″ Screwball with 1/2″ Mighty Bolt (For Track Mounting)

Mounting Location:

Click Photo To Enlarge

If mounted close enough to the user there are a series of control buttons located on the speaker such as volume controls and track controls. Keep in mind when mounting the speaker you will want to keep it within reach to turn it on and off and control the various functions although most can be controlled by your smartphone. Another feature is you can take speaker phone calls as it includes an integrated Microphone.

The photo on the right displays mounting to a golf cart using a Medium sized Ram Tough Claw with 1″ ball. This mounting solution will allow any mounting location provided a railing or edge.

Specs from EcoXGear website:

Size & Weight

• IPX7 Waterproof. Fully submersible in Water
• Rugged, Waterproof and Floating Bluetooth Speaker
• 8W (2 x 4W) Speakers
• Top Mounted Bass Radiator
• Connects to your Smartphones, Tablets and Laptops

• Top Panel Control Buttons: Power, Bluetooth Pairing, Volume +/-, and Speakerphone Answer
• Built in Battery: Lithium Rechargeable, 10 hour play or talk time (actual time varies)
• Aux-In
• Mounting Options via ¼ 20” Camera mount screw post

• Height: 2.5″
• Width: 5.3″
• Depth: 3″
• Weight: 11 ounces (0.6875 lbs.)

Input & Outputs

• Micro USB Charging Jack
• 3.5mm Aux-In Jack

Power

• Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery
• Over 10 hours playtime
• Fully re-charges in 2.5 hours

For more information and photos of this speaker please see the EcoXGear website.

The Plastic Hull is not sponsored or affiliated with EcoXGear or any products they offer.

Cajun Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp are a great main course or addition to any seafood meal for us seafood lovers. This recipe is a grilling favorite of mine.

• 1 lbs of shrimp
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 tblsp EVO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1 tsp McCormick Bayou Cajun Seasoning
• 1 tsp Black Pepper

Peel & De-vein medium large or jumbo shrimp. Add olive oil, garlic, pepper, and Cajun Seasoning to a bowl and stir. Add rinsed shelled and de-veined shrimp and coat evenly. Let marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes in the refrigerator or bowl on ice. Skewer shrimp. If using bamboo skewers soak them in water for at least 20 minutes.

Heat gas grill to 350 degrees. Or light charcoal 30 mins prior to cook time. Oil grate with olive oil. Place skewers on grill. Let cook for 3 minutes then flip cooking for an additional 3 minutes. Shrimp when done should be white with a reddish orange hue and be firm to the touch.

Serve and enjoy!

With Saturday’s weather forecasting gale force winds out on the Atlantic Ocean Delaware Paddle Sports was forced to cancel its final tournament of the saltwater series. Unfortunately the two dates I was able to fish were both cancelled due to wind. This opened me up to stay home and volunteer at the final weekend NJ HOW event of 2015.

The venue was to be Merrill Creek a reservoir located in Washington NJ. A 45 min drive for myself it was to be a nice close one! I arrived late around 8:00 am due to vehicle problems. Just about everything was unloaded and it didn’t seem like there were a ton of people there. I figured since it was a cooler morning and the forecast was for high winds people would cancel. It was nice to see people there I haven’t seen in a few months. Always finding joy hanging with Val whom volunteers at the events taking photos for the chapter.

It was sunny and quite warm by the time we started launching the attendees and volunteers. After taking a few photos and loading my gear onto my Big Rig it was time to get out fishing. This was my first time at Merrill Creek. It is a large reservoir about half the size of Round Valley. It is probably a mile across at its widest part but a much deeper lake at over 250 feet. After launching and riding the wind out the harsh realization of the 15-20 mph wind became real. It was actually too windy to fish. I paddled over to a group of guys who were trying to fish but were pretty much paddling the entire time.

It was already 11:30 so we decided to begin the trek back to the launch for lunch. From reports over the radio unfortunately there were no fish being caught due to the conditions and the guys had a head in paddle directly into the wind. I stayed back and ran the sweep behind to make sure anyone who would need a tow could get one. These guys were fast though they paddled hard back. Once reaching the launch lunch was already out which was donated by the BMS Veteran Group whom also provided volunteers to help with the day. Lunch was jersey mikes assorted subs which were very tasty!

After eating some lunch a few of us got into a game of corn hole! The object of the game is two teams consisting of 2 people each the first team to reach 21 points first wins. Your team is awarded 3 points per beanbag in the hole and one per landing on the game board. The other team can then knock your bean bag off the board or score the same to cancel out points per round.  It is definitely a bar game such as horseshoes and Bocce Ball but is just as much fun! 

After the lunch break concluded quite a few vets their families and volunteers went back out on the lake. By this time the wind had subsided enough to be able to fish for a little while. It was now enjoyable to be out there on the calmer more surreal lake.

It was a great season for HOW in 2015 with over 15 events completed! The new Mid-Week events were a big addition to the chapter and thank you to all whom made those events possible by volunteering!