Esteroali
Member
There is a Timex Digital watch that has a digital compass built in. Are these legal for regattas? Anyone know how accurate they are? Damien
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esteroali said:There is a Timex Digital watch that has a digital compass built in. Are these legal for regattas? Anyone know how accurate they are? Damien
Wavedancer said:I realize this is academic for racing purposes, but how would you use such a gizmo, say for practice? Probably hard to read if attached to the splashboard.
mike4947 said:Mainly because most of the digital compasses are not JUST a compass. They have other features that take them out of the compass realm and into the "instramentation realm". Since it's almost impossible to check every digital for "extras" the Fish class simply said; nope, not allowed, rather than get into how and what spec's/features needed to check for.
mike4947 said:Mainly because most of the digital compasses are not JUST a compass. They have other features that take them out of the compass realm and into the "instramentation realm". Since it's almost impossible to check every digital for "extras" the Fish class simply said; nope, not allowed, rather than get into how and what spec's/features needed to check for.
mike4947 said:The T061 also has other functions than a strict compass and timer: http://www.nav.ie/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=433
That's why the unit and it's predecessor were not allowed in the Sunfish class.
Not to mention at around $400 it ups the anti on costs for the class as well.
mike4947 said:The T061 also has other functions than a strict compass and timer: http://www.nav.ie/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=433
Fuerza 7 said:The TackTick T061 is a digital compass with a watch on it. No deep sounder, no speedo, just the compass. It is approved by many One Desgin Classes that are seriously thinking about going ahead with better racing.
mike4947 said:Having a red line on an analog compass is different that getting an exact number of degrees of header or lift displayed.
Another slight problem for the Fish is a mounting location. Doesn't work on the mast as the mast can rotate far enough between tacks to make viewing difficult; plus being difficult to reach to change modes. Seen a couple mounted to the top of the dagger board and becoming non fuctional after a rather severe seating of the daggerboard coming into the leeway mark putting the dagger board down in preperation for going upwind.
Also adding $400+ to a 10 grand boat isn't as much of a hardship commpared to adding one to a $800 used boat. Note that Laser, and Optimist also do NOT allow the Tacktick. All designed to be sailed rather than navigated.
mike4947 said:Neither the Byte or the Force V have a strong class association.
Also it's not the digital versus anolog; it's the features available. Anything beyond simple compass direction is considered "navigation instrumention" and is against the class rules.
TackTick did for a very short time make a simple digital compass without any other features, but no one would buy it so it quickly dropped off the market.
As for the watch issue, no one said you have to NOT have a second hand on an anolog watch. Compare apples to apples.
dphoye said:I never thought I would say this...go Geezer go.
I totally agree with you about the the Tactick compass referenced above. It offers all the same features as a standard compass but is more stable and easier to read. Many of us have the TackTick for use with our other boats already so there is no additional outlay of funds to use it on the Sunfish. I am totally in favor of seeing this approved by The Sunfish Class Association so how do we raise a big enough stink to overpower the likes of members with the same views as mike4947. Lets get this class into the 21st century people! You cant stop progress and if you do you are more likely to push members away.
mike4947 said:Got a call yesterday that clarified the digital issue for me.
I was reminded that even a card compass is a navigation device and of the class rules:
3.1.9 One or two compasses or stopwatches may be mounted on the deck so long as the watertight integrity of the hull is maintained.
4.3 The use of electronic navigational devices shall be prohibited.
So the use of non electric compasses is class legal, but any electronic navigation instumentation is prohibited.
mike4947 said:You can't use too many ironies around any compass, it throws them off.