Looks like its opening up a bit of a can of worms but has anyone replaced their wind instruments?

Looking at
Nasa clipper wireless
Tacktic wireless
Or raymarine i60wired...

Wireless seem to work ok for a year or two then become troublesome?

I've got the NASA wired and it's s*@+.

Pretty pissed off actually. When it failed the 1st time I paid for the masthead electric internals plus shipping. They had corroded out. 6mths out of warranty, $60 bucks I think. Recently the magnet for The direction finder rusted out. They sent the 50c piece for free. Told me I should paint it. Why didn't they originally.
Either way it hasn't fixed the issue.
$600 wasted.

I bought a 2nd hand i60 off a Seabreezer. Installed one year ago still going well. I do feel it over reads speed by a few kts, but the wind up there might really be that strong.

i put anew ribbon on the shrouds every six months it annoys me they fall apart and cant get a warranty

My Brother has the raymarine wireless and loves it. Been going at least 2-3 years no problems.

I am about to buy one as well.

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boty said..
i put anew ribbon on the shrouds every six months it annoys me they fall apart and cant get a warranty

I should update my wool tufts to ribbon, as I only get a few months out of the wool tufts. A single strand of sail thread lasts much longer, but I cant see them without binoculars.

Otherwise, depends on whether you may upgrade in the future to include other instruments such depth & speed. Going with an i60 multi allows you to add to it a later date. Tacktic is now owned by Raymarine, so they will connect without many problems to a Raymarine system, just need a wireless to NMEA2000 adapter as well. PITA to run a new wire down your mast unless a lead is already there. A problem with wireless is the battery life and solar panel, if you have birds that like your mast top, the mini solar panel will eventually become a nest or covered in bird droppings.

Noting the wind instrument is only useful for bragging rights in the bar afterwards, I wouldn't spend a lot on it.

We have Tacktick. I believe it's the original unit from 2006, however we replaced the masthead transmitter about 2yrs ago. Batteries are replaceable which we initially did in the masthead unit until the solar panels then failed. The display unit is now hard wired for power since the batteries failed. It all integrates with the plotter/autopilot etc so the autopilot will sail wind angles and overall has been very reliable.

I would probably go wired if starting from scratch and could be bothered running the cable.

www.littlebird.com.au/products/mini-lcd-display-weather-station
www.jaycar.com.au/touch-screen-wireless-weather-station-with-usb-pc-link/p/XC0348
I've seen the odd boat with these on board

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HG02 said..
www.littlebird.com.au/products/mini-lcd-display-weather-station
www.jaycar.com.au/touch-screen-wireless-weather-station-with-usb-pc-link/p/XC0348
I've seen the odd boat with these on board

When you look at the price of the home weather station at $189 and compare it to the cost of the marine units that are normally aroumnd $1000 for a basic wind speed and direction unit you wonder how the additional price is justified

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..

HG02 said..
www.littlebird.com.au/products/mini-lcd-display-weather-station
www.jaycar.com.au/touch-screen-wireless-weather-station-with-usb-pc-link/p/XC0348
I've seen the odd boat with these on board

When you look at the price of the home weather station at $189 and compare it to the cost of the marine units that are normally aroumnd $1000 for a basic wind speed and direction unit you wonder how the additional price is justified

Regards Don

They justify the additional price by the "oh it's going on a boat" principal..

I suppose it becomes a need vs want senario.

Its nice to have a pointer telling you are pointing well. Its nice to have a number to confirm you should have reefed by now.

I see if you are running down wind and the wind is picking up it may alert you sooner.

Otherwise it sounds wireless still is tempremental....

It's nice to have when night sailing. Last Friday would have been great but nada. Wind direction was shifting as the land cooled down and zero moon.

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EC31 said..

boty said..
i put anew ribbon on the shrouds every six months it annoys me they fall apart and cant get a warranty

I should update my wool tufts to ribbon, as I only get a few months out of the wool tufts. A single strand of sail thread lasts much longer, but I cant see them without binoculars.

try some of this stuff, just past the 12 month warranty and still going strong
www.spotlightstores.com/craft-hobbies/yarn-needle-art/yarn/acrylic-yarn/moda-vera-monkey-yarn-100-g/BP80314911

And if you need binoculars for this thread then you shouldn't be sailing without your guide dog.

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Harb said..

EC31 said..

boty said..
i put anew ribbon on the shrouds every six months it annoys me they fall apart and cant get a warranty

I should update my wool tufts to ribbon, as I only get a few months out of the wool tufts. A single strand of sail thread lasts much longer, but I cant see them without binoculars.

try some of this stuff, just past the 12 month warranty and still going strong
www.spotlightstores.com/craft-hobbies/yarn-needle-art/yarn/acrylic-yarn/moda-vera-monkey-yarn-100-g/BP80314911

And if you need binoculars for this thread then you shouldn't be sailing without your guide dog.

What does your hi-tec yarn tell you that the sails are not telling you? And do my ears stick out too far?, because I seem to know when I am facing the wind or if the wind is coming from behind.
And if things feel they are getting ****ty because you are uncomfortable and your boat is uncomfortable then the wind speed indicator will not throw in a reef for you. So save your money for true luxuries like a windslyce track or a good bottle of scotch.

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Harb said..

EC31 said..

boty said..
i put anew ribbon on the shrouds every six months it annoys me they fall apart and cant get a warranty

I should update my wool tufts to ribbon, as I only get a few months out of the wool tufts. A single strand of sail thread lasts much longer, but I cant see them without binoculars.

try some of this stuff, just past the 12 month warranty and still going strong
www.spotlightstores.com/craft-hobbies/yarn-needle-art/yarn/acrylic-yarn/moda-vera-monkey-yarn-100-g/BP80314911

And if you need binoculars for this thread then you shouldn't be sailing without your guide dog.

I've always used the old cassette tapes

I put in i60 wired in March, no issues and working well.

I put in i60 wired in March, no issues and working well.

I have had Raymarine I60 for 5 years, going fine, its basic for racing, but fine for cruising