Wind Instruments

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by bstreep

With the Nexus system, the depth is on 1 display, the wind on another. I also don't need to know anything about the wind I can't get from the Windex or telltails - but I LIKE to have the windspeed AND the Admiral likes the wind angles.

Nexus wind sender absolutely top of the shelf - the design is unique and very, very stable. Very little software dampening required and so the sender is both sensitive and responsive. With most other units it is either or.

There is also the newer sensor without moving parts (Airmar, I think) that has a G sensor integrated - probably the way to go for anybody living forward and too filthy rich.

b.

[Anduril]

I'm very frustrated with the TACTIC T033 "entry level" wind sensor. The first one I got from Hodges Marine, worked initially ( within 6 feet of the MN30 display) but when installed on the mast head never worked. I have a 1983 Beneteau 35 (mast is about 43' tall). Raymarine Tech service said to send it back. Hodges Marine took the unit back ( excellant service, and I didnt have the original packaging ). The replacement unit is showing similar and just as frustrating performance. It initally worked while holding the wind sensor in the cockpit area. I put it back in the box for a few hours and it never worked again, even after (as directed by Raymarine tech support) leaving it in the sun for > 12 hours. I've commited my entire instrument cluster to Tacktic, though I havent installed the hull sensor for speed and depth yet. I've cut the wires out of my mast and seahood. Someone please, please, please tell me that these actually work.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Anduril

I'm very frustrated with the TACTIC T033 "entry level" wind sensor. The first one I got from Hodges Marine, worked initially ( within 6 feet of the MN30 display) but when installed on the mast head never worked. I have a 1983 Beneteau 35 (mast is about 43' tall). Raymarine Tech service said to send it back. Hodges Marine took the unit back ( excellant service, and I didnt have the original packaging ). The replacement unit is showing similar and just as frustrating performance. It initally worked while holding the wind sensor in the cockpit area. I put it back in the box for a few hours and it never worked again, even after (as directed by Raymarine tech support) leaving it in the sun for > 12 hours. I've commited my entire instrument cluster to Tacktic, though I havent installed the hull sensor for speed and depth yet. I've cut the wires out of my mast and seahood. Someone please, please, please tell me that these actually work.

You should have gotten the larger T101 unit.

Originally Posted by tacktick

The brand new T033 wind system is the ideal solution for cruising yachts 35ft or under.

But even at 60' up this T101 of mine has trouble while in port. They told me cell towers mess them up, which seems to be true. When I'm out on the water it works 99.9% of the time. Closed in small harbors are bad too.

[bstreep]

We've had our Nexus wireless system for about 6 months now. 64' to the top of the mast. Not a complaint so far.

[montenido]

Toodleoo,

Are you still happy with the Nexus wind instruments? I am getting ready to take the plunge.

Thanks, Bill

[MarkSF]

Once you go with NMEA 2000, the flexibility is great - any data from any instrument is available to others on the network.

My system - Lowrance HDS 5 chartplotter, Garmin GMI 10, Airmar DST800, Simrad is20 wind transducer and display

GPS data is visible on the GMI 10
Wind data is visible on the GMI 10 (use it for tack display)
Speed and depth are visible on the GMI 10 and/or the chartplotter
Wind data is available to an autopilot (so you can hold constant point-of-sail)
Course data is available to the wind displays (calculate true wind)

and so on.

The other poster is right about proprietary calibrations though, it's not guaranteed the routine is included. The GMI 10 can calibrate the DST800, the Lowrance plotter can't. Only the Simrad display will calibrate the wind instrument, and so on.