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Old 16-01-2021, 09:31   #1
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wireless masthead wind instrument

Ahoy!

Greetings to all..

I'm currently in the market for wireless masthead wind instrument after jigging around with my 50yr old Keyon AW-100..incidently, I have replaced the masthead wiring inside the mast but decided to go wireless, partially due to time constraint, and also because the mast is no longer in a convenient position for me to work on it - mast is now secured horizontally across the top of cabin for transport.

Based on the foregoing, I have decided to explore the wireless option, and I just stumbled across "Sailtimer", however, like most of the other wireless wind instruments on the market, it is very pricey.

Here is a link to the wireless masthead "Sailtimer" wind instrument:

https://electroeshop.com/index.php?r...duct_id=730525


Question: Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this particular unit or in general with the wireless wind instruments?? If so, I will be more than happy to hear about.
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Old 16-01-2021, 09:47   #2
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

search hard...
I recall scathing personal reviews of sailtimer...
e. g.,
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-166236-2.html
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...rument.434123/

but best to collect reliable reviews.
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Old 16-01-2021, 20:53   #3
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

Quote:
Originally Posted by sv_pelagia View Post
search hard...
I recall scathing personal reviews of sailtimer...
e. g.,
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-166236-2.html
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...rument.434123/

but best to collect reliable reviews.
Thanks! Will do.
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Old 16-01-2021, 21:51   #4
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

I can't answer your question but I'm going to soap box here for a moment. As a network administrator I have to say wired devices are infinitely superior to wireless. If the device isn't intended to move from its location, run a wire to it.
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Old 16-01-2021, 22:01   #5
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

I really like the look of the Raymarine i60, but do not know if it is any better, costs a little more, and has a name behind it though.
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/raye701...All%20Products

This is the wireless version
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/rayt101...All%20Products
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Old 17-01-2021, 03:58   #6
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

The Wind Instrument RB is their newest model, with a Replaceable Battery. It has been out for 2 years. There are reviews from RB customers on the manufacturer’s order page at https://wi-rb.com/product/rb/#reviews. Many of the comments on the forum links above look like they are about early models that were pre-ordered.

There is a good list of of the evolving SailTimer apps and electronics at Media Coverage. There are also over 100 ratings for the free SailTimer tacking app in the Google Play store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...r.chartplotter) with an average of 4/5, and also good ratings for the iOS version (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailti...on/id546654923). The Wind Instrument RB works with lots of different apps on tablets and smartphones.

Note that the wireless Raymarine i60 above sends an analog signal that is prone to interference, not the reliability of Bluetooth which can be used for streaming music. I looked at it before buying my SailTimer RB. The Raymarine only has an average of 1.8/5 in the reviews on West Marine’s page (https://www.westmarine.com/buy/tackt...ystem--5469333). Also, the Raymarine cannot transmit to smartphones/apps.

There are two physical features that made up my mind to go with the SailTimer RB. First, it can be raised on a halyard to use until you can get at the masthead. Second, the RB wind cups have ceramic bearings that cannot corrode, and blades that are designed to turn equally well when sailing along heeled over. There is a good illustration of the SailTimer cups at https://wi-rb.com/innovation/. With traditional wind cups like on the Raymarine, when heeling the wind hits the bottom and back of the wind cups and they do not spin as well.



p.s. I did not want the hassle of running a wire down my mast and through the boat - the Bluetooth works great (transmission range: 280 feet).
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Old 17-01-2021, 08:44   #7
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

I do have a Garmin. There was a problem in the beginning with the instrument disconnecting, but after many rounds with Garmin I realised it connected to my Polar running watch. With the watch in flight mode, the instrument is working well.

It may disconnect for a few seconds if somebody walks in the line of sight between the instrument and transducer. Also, the transducer is mounted in a 45 degrees angle to port, so there is line of sight. With the mast in the way, I could not get a good signal. But my mast is somewhat higher than the maximum recommended height for the transducer.

Works well with the autopilot also.

All in all, I am satisfied.
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Old 17-01-2021, 08:45   #8
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

As an owner of the latest Sailtimer system, I would strongly, strongly, encourage you to look at other alternatives. I've had blessedly few truly bad experiences with sailing gear, but this experience, both in performance and customer service, was beyond terrible. I would be happy to share my email chain with the company (the only form of communications) with you through other channels. The company's response to the many issues I experienced was to either deny the problems existed or to blame every problem on the owner.
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Old 17-01-2021, 08:56   #9
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

We have a (Garmin) Nexus Gwind wireless. It is OK, but I loose contact with it more than I'd like. If I had to do it again I'd go wired.
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Old 17-01-2021, 09:10   #10
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

The older wireless Garmin solution was actually better. There was a separate receiver that you could place where you could get best signal and least disturbance.

Then they changed to the new system where the instrument itself is the receiver. And the system needs line of sight without anyone person or metal being in the way.

My instruments are mounted on port side low down in the forward coaming of the aft cockpit. After a while you learn to walk to the forward cockpit on starboard side.

I agree with the other posters, wired systems are preferable, but the wireless works (If you do not get into the way).
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Old 17-01-2021, 09:35   #11
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

Get wired.

The few Garmin wirekess ones I have seen never worked past 20’ or so. And were replaced with wired.
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Old 17-01-2021, 10:04   #12
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

Raymarine / FLIR bought the UK company TackTick some years past and for the USA are now here
https://www.raymarine.com/view/index-id=1237.html
Sold in the UK at many outlets such as here
https://www.rssailingstore.com/Catal...ents/Compasses

John
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Old 17-01-2021, 10:13   #13
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

In inherited an old Tacktick system dating back to before it was taken over by Raymarine. It has worked very well for me most of the time.

At about the decade mark of its life the transmitter seemed to die in the anemometer, although maybe it was just the battery. After a bit of back and forth I was able to send it to Raymarine, and they sent back a reconditioned unit. This was five or six years ago, and it is still going strong.
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Old 17-01-2021, 10:45   #14
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

I have a Sailtimer ( newer version);it was installed 2 months ago. In general I am pleased with its performance. Used with Navionics on my IPad. I’ve not have any issues when sailing (do day sailing 2-3 x a wk) if I don’t go out for a day or two contact is lost but the Bluetooth connection easily re-established by rebooting the Sailtimer app.
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Old 17-01-2021, 10:59   #15
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Re: wireless masthead wind instrument

wireless

1) needs wire anyway for power
2) will have latency to autopilot degrading steering performance unless it has a special receiver, ie: not bluetooth/wifi to your phone.

If it has a solar panel and battery this is weight aloft where you don't want, and difficult to maintain, as well as the strong potential to run out of power if there is no sun for days on end.
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