I use the big TackTicks. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. The
RaceMaster is the compass-only unit. It is easy to read (two
displays, one for each tack), extremely accurate, and incredibly
reliable. I used the same unit for 3 Worrell 1000s (1000 ocean miles
on a beach catamaran), and it worked flawlessly the whole time.
Nothing could compare as a test of waterproofness and reliability, as
every other piece of electronic gear (Garmin GPS, Icom Radios) failed
despite being in waterproof bags. The night light will run all night,
and the compass requires NO WIRING. This compass was our main source
of navigation and it was bulletproof.
Since I already had a compass, I bought a second unit - the
SpeedMaster - as a speedo. Just as easy to read, just as reliable.
Plus, it worked just fine with my existing transducers (originally a
KVH Quadro system that never worked fine). Again, no battery
required, but it does need wiring to the transducers. The depth guage
isn't so hot (only reads about 15 feet or less), but it also isn't
wired meticulously (they say you shouldn't shorten the depth gauge
transducer wire). I've found the night light _doesn't_ go all night
on the SpeedMaster (presumably because powering the transducers takes
a little juice). We'd have to recharge the batteries with a
flashlight at night. Otherwise, it is just as highly recommended as
the compass. With these two instruments I can race bouys without a
house battery on board.
These two units have huge displays and work great. Sensitivity is
perfect without doing any adjustment. They have countdown timers for
the starts. They pop out of their brackets for safe keeping in
seconds.
You can get them combined into one unit in the SailMaster.
The only downside of these instruments is they are _expensive_. I
orded them out of England and they were quite a bit cheaper than
anywhere in the US. Can't find the shop just now. I've never needed
service on them (going on 6 years for the compass), so no comment on
customer service.
BTW, TackTick has a very cool and lightweight wireless system now,
but beware--probably violates class rules on "integrated
electronics".
--brendan
