Speed Puck

[LarryE]

My Tacktick died, second one.

Going to try my Speed Puck for headings.

Anyone using one for headings?

 

[rgeek]

Tacktic gives magnetic heading, speed puck course over ground from gps. The nearest Velocitec product to a Tacktic in terms of pure heading is the Shift. Doesn't matter if you sail on a lake with no current but

..

 

[some dude]

Tacktic gives magnetic heading, speed puck course over ground from gps. The nearest Velocitec product to a Tacktic in terms of pure heading is the Shift. Doesn't matter if you sail on a lake with no current but

..

Sounds illegal in some OD classes. YMMV

 

[TimFordi550#87]

looks like a winner, but wish it had the angled dual display of the rarely working Tacktick micro I bought.

Pricing info?

make that never working Tacktick micro

 

[glowmaster]

I used mine for headings. It took a while to calibrate it to match my compass, but it was possible. My trimaran is usually going fast enough to get consistent readings.

 

[rgeek]

Tacktic gives magnetic heading, speed puck course over ground from gps. The nearest Velocitec product to a Tacktic in terms of pure heading is the Shift. Doesn't matter if you sail on a lake with no current but

..

Sounds illegal in some OD classes. YMMV

Most dinghy classes and many keelboats use real ugly language about correlation. Which is why the Shift comes with a sticker to cover up the lift indicator. Whether COG falls foul of that is debatable. If it was deciding a heading from the change in location over time then that would be caught and made illegal but I'm not sure that how most GPS measure COG and SOG. Rather they directly measure them from some sort of dopler effect. Arguably that would be legal.

 

[rgeek]

Hadn't hear that. That's interesting. According to the current class rules on the web site they show some leg...

Optional Equipment

6.1.9 Electronic devices to record, measure and calculate average speed, and to indicate distance and water depth.

and then ban you from using them while racing...

Restrictions While Racing

8.1.5 Use of Loran, GPS, or similar position fixing devices.

 

[Remodel]

Hadn't hear that. That's interesting. According to the current class rules on the web site they show some leg...

Optional Equipment

6.1.9 Electronic devices to record, measure and calculate average speed, and to indicate distance and water depth.

and then ban you from using them while racing...

Restrictions While Racing

8.1.5 Use of Loran, GPS, or similar position fixing devices.

Hadn't hear that. That's interesting. According to the current class rules on the web site they show some leg...

Optional Equipment

6.1.9 Electronic devices to record, measure and calculate average speed, and to indicate distance and water depth.

and then ban you from using them while racing...

Restrictions While Racing

8.1.5 Use of Loran, GPS, or similar position fixing devices.

There's a big difference between those definitions no?

 

[allene222]

The way I read this is that a GPS speed and heading would be legal because it is not a position fixing device. But I bet you could get in an argument about it.

 

[rgeek]

There is but a prostart would be covered by both. So you're allowed it on board but can't use it after the preparatory signal.

 

[rgeek]

The way I read this is that a GPS speed and heading would be legal because it is not a position fixing device. But I bet you could get in an argument about it.

Tricky argument. The COG and SOG measurement is part of the overall GPS system.

 

[allene222]

^^ Agree completely, but the SOG and COG do not use the position information of the GPS. They use the Doppler shift of the carrier.

 

[velocitek]

Hi All,

I can shed some light on a few of the points here...

@LarryE - The SpeedPuck is strictly a GPS and it displays Course Over Ground, which is the direction your boat is moving. A magnetic compass like the Shift displays heading, which is the direction your boat is pointing. They are similar, but different measurements. You could use the SpeedPuck for COG but the Shift would be a better fit.

@glowmaster - By default the GPSs in the SpeedPuck and ProStart display COG in Degrees True. A compass displays heading in Degrees Magnetic. The difference between Degrees Magnetic and Degrees True should be close to your local magnetic declination or magnetic variation. You can enter your local magnetic declination into your ProStart (http://www.velocitek.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=474&p=1489) or SpeedPuck (http://www.velocitek.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=298&p=1584).

When you enter your local magnetic declination use positive numbers for East and use negative numbers for West. You can look up your local declination here: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination

@rgeek and Dawg - Regarding the shift tracking on the Shift and legality in some one design classes; our shift tracking requires user action (two button presses) and we include a Legalizer Label in the Shift box. While these may not be perfect solutions, they are two features which allow the user choose not to use shift tracking or inhibit the use of shift tracking. Most other widely available digital compasses have some sort of shift tracking which cannot be disabled.

@rgeek, Dawg, and Remodel - The proposed 2015 J/24 class rules do permit GPS and the ProStart would be legal, however I don't believe they have been approved by ISAF. So for the time being, the ProStart and other GPS devices are still illegal for J/24 class racing. Hopefully the new rules or some revision of them will be accepted for 2016.

Best,

Charles

Charles Swanson
Sales & Support Manager

Velocitek
Web: www.velocitek.com
Toll free USA & Canada: 1-866-498-6737 ex. 103
Worldwide: +1-650-529-4519 ex. 103
Fax: +1-(650)-618-2679

 

[LarryE]

Thanks Charles, excellent reply.

I must really be out of touch, as this is the first time I've seen the Shift. Nice.

 

[1sailor]

Somewhat off-topic but important for anyone considering a non-Velocitek product. This year in Tampa (J/70 series) our ProStart failed. We called Velocitek from our hotel and while we were at dinner an hour later, a Velocitek rep. walks up to our table and hands us a new one. I've owned several Velocitek products and they never fail---- but on the odd chance that they DO, it is an opportunity to see what unbelievable service this company has to offer. Much respect. Still can't believe it.

 

[squash]

Does anyone use the Speedpuck to adjust their sail controls for best speed?

 

[MPH]

Does anyone use the Speedpuck to adjust their sail controls for best speed?

Uhhh. Yeah. Why wouldn't you use a GPS speed indicator to see what your fastest trim settings are..

 

[CalamityJack]

Squash, I use my speedpuck for exactly that. You make a change and BAM you can see how much it helped you. It keeps track of your highest speed too. I had a problem with usb connection for mine which turned out to be 'don't use an extension cord', but the support is good. I cover more distance with mine because just glancing at it makes you tune. Sometimes I leave it in the bag when I just want to laze around. I bought one of the flush mounts to use for a cover to protect it when it's not on the mast mount.

 

[Charlie H]

Ditto re CalamityJack's comments. I use my Speedpuck for the same purpose and find it extremely helpful, and very low maintenance. Just have to charge the batteries.

My only complaint is that it is not backlit. Now that would be handy once the sun sets.