Compass/speed devices.

Doug Johnstone · June 06, 2014, 11:45:41 PM

Hi all. New owner here sailing 138. Now called V.

Who is using what for compass and speed? And of course, why.

Doug.

Doug Mroz · June 07, 2014, 12:02:27 AM

Welcome to the viper class! I use tack tick micro, which has been popular in the fleet over the last several years. Also the Velociteck ProStart has become popular as well. Its really up to you as to how much you want to spend.

John Leyland · June 07, 2014, 02:04:38 AM

Yes, welcome to the class! Like Doug I have the Tacktick Micro compass and the Velocitek ProStart. I live in an area where tides can have a significant impact so I can use the difference on the Tacktick (fluxgate compass) and the Velocitek's compass (GPS COG heading) to determine better or worse current. The Velocitek also allows you to easily adjust the number of minutes on the countdown timer if you've sync'd to the wrong number and need to reset to the next signal in the start sequence.

John

Drew Harper · June 07, 2014, 04:12:12 PM

I use a NovaSail 360. It has both GPS and fluxgate in one box. Powers on 1 AA battery (I use a rechargeable....20 hours each charge).

I like having one box and it saves me $$$

Craig Walker · June 09, 2014, 02:17:02 PM

I have the new Velocitek Shift, and it is fantastic. I also have their ProStart, and think it is overkill. We never use the starting line function. If I was doing it again, I'd just use the Speed Puck along with the Shift and save some $.

Parker Hoblin · October 28, 2014, 02:17:49 PM

Do you use the mast brackets that were supplied with your device of choice or do you have the custom built Viper specific one available in the For sale section?

Peter Beardsley · October 28, 2014, 03:34:43 PM

Parker,

Welcome to the class. It runs the gamut -- some people have the custom mast brackets that Luke Porter makes (Viper 166) since it's a pretty slick solution. Others build their own or maybe there's another guy making them. Some use the stock brackets with the device, though they usually mount them in those cases on the back side of the deck coaming since frequently the brackets that come with the device don't give enough clearance vs. the spin halyard and other control lines. What did 22 come with?

Parker Hoblin · October 30, 2014, 08:23:29 AM

#22 came as a blank canvas. Ben used to have a Velocitek but it succumbed to some failure of one sort or another and he had given it away to someone who would try to fix it. I'm comparing the Velocitek Prostart to the Novasail 360 right now, not sure which I'm going to go with yet.

All good things for the ole Christmas list ;)

Peter Beardsley · October 30, 2014, 10:16:48 AM

I don't think there are many people in the class using the Novasail 360 anymore. If there are, those folks can chime in to advocate for it. All you're required to have under class rules is a compass. The form that compass takes can vary quite a bit. Not everyone has a Prostart and there are plenty who think it is unnecessary.

There's a thread that talks mostly about the Novasail from a couple of years ago at http://forum.viper640.org/index.php?topic=1292

Jason Hyerstay · October 30, 2014, 11:31:28 AM

Parker, I have a Velocitek ProStart and Shift. I love them both. Let me know if you want to check them out.

Jason

Paul Zimmerman · October 30, 2014, 12:10:26 PM

The NovaSail has nice features, but it has a major drawback. It is next to impossible to view the display in the sun wearing polarized sunglasses.
I have one and do not use it for this reason. I lent it out to Kay and he had the same issue.

Parker Hoblin · October 30, 2014, 01:04:41 PM

Thanks for posting the thread on the Novasail 360, I'm mostly interested in the unit as it has speed, flux and gps compass all in one unit. Figuring VMG is tricky when you don't have speed, and doing a prostart and a speed puck isn't cost effective it seems. The lack of visibility with sunglasses sounds like a major issue for the unit though. I have plenty of experience with the tacktick race master in the local j/24 and it's a pretty solid unit.

Peter Beardsley · October 30, 2014, 02:25:00 PM

The speed part is nice, but is usually just gravy for most people -- if you're staring at speed numbers most of the time, then you're missing a lot of other stuff. We only look at speed numbers when we either think we're going really fast and are curious, or if we're going slow and someone on the boat needs data to remind teammates precisely how slow we are. Most important thing is a compass you can read, and that is where the Tacktick Micro is most handy. There are some people who run Micros and Speedpucks since the Speedpuck is much less expensive. The start line feature on the Prostart is nice but unnecessary for most events, and even then, is of limited utility vs. just looking around and seeing where you are vs. other boats and the line. If I had to guesstimate what most people were running, it'd look like this:

1. Compass only (usually Tacktick Micro)
2. Compass + Prostart
3. Compass + Speedpuck
4. Novasail

Tim Carter · October 30, 2014, 09:14:40 PM

I run the Tacktick Micro and the Puck..

My brain cells cannot absorb any more info than that. Dont trust the line feature, too many variables / accuracy issues.
VMG..?? to where??

YMMV

Parker Hoblin · October 31, 2014, 09:51:15 AM

VMG to mark and or finish line, If you did a good sighting for the windward mark at the start of the race, 180 degrees from that should be shortest course down wind. That number and how fast your traveling helps get VMG. But, that's stuff for a tactician to worry about.

That being said, I think everyone here is right, better to keep your head up and your eyes out of the boat.