Aside from cost...
I am wondering about experiences sailors have had using it cruising and racing.
Where do you mount it?
Is it usable hanging around your neck?
If it broke would you buy it again?
What is its biggest value to you?
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SpeedPuck- Pros and Cons?
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Posted: Jan 24, 2012 - 11:50 AM
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Posted: Jan 24, 2012 - 05:08 PM
I haven't got one, just use a handheld Garmin eTrex on a lanyard and stuck in my PFD pocket. Of course I drift off-course every time I pull it out to take a look.
Having a "speedometer" on board like the SpeedPuck would be awesome, too bad it's so expensive. Don't really understand why it costs more than seemingly more sophisticated items like handheld GPS and GPS sports watches.
Having a big display like that would be great, might need two of them, mount one on each side of the boom!
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Damon Linkous
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Posted: Jan 24, 2012 - 05:33 PM
My wife uses the Garmin etrex on her bike. I plan on getting myself a Garmin Foretrex 301 for my boat. An etrex for your wrist. That way you aren't fumbling when you want to look at it.
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Daniel T.
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Posted: Jan 24, 2012 - 05:42 PM
Speedpuck is a valuable tool when racing, especially WL courses. It shows subtle shifts keeping you in tune when your getting knocked enough to tack, or when you are getting lifted, and also micro changes in speed.
Best place to mount on a spin boat is just in front of the jib. Easily visible anywhere on the boat which is one of the reasons it is helpful when racing.
As for recreational sailing probably won't do much for you other than give you a heads up display of speed.
FYI, you can download the data at the end of the day.
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Philip
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Posted: Jan 25, 2012 - 02:54 PM
Just good fun to see how fast you are going and max speed for the day. You need to mount where it is visable on both tacks. This is a fairly large display. The lift header display is nice because you can see when you are pinching or footing. -
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Posted: Jan 25, 2012 - 05:43 PM
Have you ever used it on the neck lanyard?
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Posted: Jan 25, 2012 - 07:07 PM
If you have a android phone download bc racer off the market. Will give you lift indicators...can set wind direction...mark locations....has start timer.....speed....and it is only a few bucks. I mounted a waterproof case for my phone designed for a motorcycle handlebar to the tramp just behind the mast base...works great
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Posted: Jan 27, 2012 - 06:29 AM
Way to big for a neck lanyard. Needs to be mounted. Big display, easy to read. -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2012 - 10:32 AM
Foreward of the jib- as in on the bridle, or back near the mast?
How did you mount it?
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Posted: Jan 29, 2012 - 07:10 AM
Hey Bob,
As I mentioned, I was referencing the set up on a spin boat, which would be "in front of the jib", on the spin pole. I have seen my share of other custom set ups which can get complicated and expensive.
The manufacturer provides mounts for the puck, and the cost of the puck/mount can get rather expensive. Just my opinion, but if your not seriously competitive on the racing scene, your money would be better served with a handheld GPS. The handheld GPS would provide so much more information and customization for your daily needs (i.e. The Tri-Point Race)
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Philip
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Posted: Jan 29, 2012 - 08:56 PM
I too use a Foretrex 201, and like its ease of use, and the convenience of having it there on my wrist. I prefer the 201, which is now out of production, because of its sealed case(rechargeable battery). I still find them new, refurbished, or lightly used, on Ebay, usually for under $100. The wrist strap is very tenatively attached, so I glue it to the case with shoe goo or aquaseal. This trick won't work with the models with replaceable batteries, as the back of the unit gets removed to change them, and that's what I glue the strap to. If you can keep it attached to you, it's quite durable for catsailing, surviving regular dousings.
I can see the speedpuck being more useful to racers, but for recreational sailors, the etrex and foretrex models work well.
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Posted: Feb 01, 2012 - 09:09 PM
a couple of years ago, i bought a garmin forerunner 205 at walmart for $125. here is some info from walmart for the 305 model.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-Forerunner-305-GPS-Receiver-With-Heart-Rate-Monitor-010-00467-00/4601003
there are newer versions but i've been really happy with this wristwatch. what you want is something that's hands free, not in your pocket or on a lanyard where you have to let go of a sheet or tiller to get it out, just twist your wrist over and look at the watch.
this watch can show your present speed, your maximum speed (which is important because you may not want to look down when you're screaming along!) the time of day, all on the same screen. when you're done, plug it into your computer and download the data to google earth and it shows a red line tracing your path right over the aerial photo of your lake. it also graphs your speed and time on a chart.
it does all the things a runner or biker would need as well and it's waterproof to the depth we go when capsized (or so i've heard, cause i never capsize.......)
if you drop something in the water, you can hit a button on the watch to mark your location and it will direct you back to the same spot using arrows for direction and distance. use it for hiking to make sure you can return to the place you started. i can't remember everything it does but it has so much more power than the speedpuck for the money.
read all it can do in the manual, which is probably online somewhere.
have fun!
Edited by arch on Feb 01, 2012 - 09:14 PM.
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Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 12:51 PM
cool mounting idea
http://www.velocitek.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=503&st=0&p=1529&hl=+simple%20+rotating%20+bracket&fromsearch=1&#entry1529
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Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 01:27 PM
Great way to mount it!
Thanks Jim!
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Posted: Feb 08, 2012 - 10:27 AM
Can the skipper see this, or does the crew need to shout it out?
In what mode do you use it most mounted to the tramp?
Edited by klozhald on Feb 08, 2012 - 09:28 AM.
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Posted: Feb 08, 2012 - 12:01 PM
ShipClips1 mounting post is impressive. If I get one I will try this.
The advantage I seek with a tools like the SpeedPuck is being able to tell immediately if the sheet trim or rudder turn I just made was for better or worse. This seems a nearly invaluable training tool, not to mention racing. A tenth of a knot is big news, and yet hard to feel. With it mounted where you can see it, the Sp seems ideal, but really expensive. I have looked at phone solutions and while they are good, the readout is small and must be carried on my person.
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Posted: May 21, 2012 - 01:09 PM
As an update to this thread, I have not acquired a SpeedPuck due to the cost. I received much better bang for my buck with new lines, tramp harness, safety gear and a trampoline. As a training tool, I think a SpeedPuck mounted on a swivel under the boom would be of great help in learning the finer points of sail trim and helmsmanship, as well as clearly showing heading without having to find your hand-held. It will have to wail until greater priorities are served.
I found a sturdy workable waterproof case for my phone and have downloaded the MotionX-GPS application. The app is a bit complex at first, but has all the features I need from a GPS, including NOAA marine coastal maps. At US$4.00, it was a value. The case was $28, makes the phone float, and I can use the touch screen through it without problem. Finding a spare hand to lift the device while sailing is a challenge, but would be the same with any hand-held GPS.
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Bob
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Posted: May 21, 2012 - 02:44 PM
I have found my iPhone very difficult to read in the sun and battery life to be a major problem to be used on the boat.
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Posted: May 22, 2012 - 08:23 AM
We have SpeedPuck and mount it on the spin pole right under the luff of the jib. It is very visible on both tacks. While we do a little racing, I found it most helpful on light air days when you want to maximize what little wind there is. We use the speed setting to tell us if we are pointing too high when going up wind. Its amaizing to see how much speed you lose when doing a tack. -
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Posted: May 22, 2012 - 10:13 AM
I had the same battery problem initially. Turning off wireless, bluetooth and 3G in the phone made a big difference in battery life. The latest software update has a more contrasty readout interface, but I have yet to try it in the summer AZ sun.
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Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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