Tack Tick?

[jrd22]

Does anyone have any experience with the Tack Tick instrument systems? Wireless installation sounds fantastic (I am doing a complete upgrade), I'm just wondering how reliable they are. Their website makes a good point that most problems originate in connections (that is my experience) and wiring problems. And wireless is a proven technology now, we can even operate our big vacuum trucks on the job with wireless controls. On the other hand I have some instruments that are 18 years old that are doing fine, I wonder how these wireless ones will be doing at that age. I'm really hoping they are as great as they claim, it would sure save a lot of time, but then I wouldn't get to crawl into areas of the boat that I never knew existed before:-))

Thanks, John

[Giulietta]

Where I come from, Raymarine or B&G..all others not bought by anyone.

[Slooptattoo]

Building an excellent reputation. Per West Marine Associates, the returns have been virtually non -existant and are used primarily by the racing crowds. Pretty well standard on Star Boats racing in the Worlds and Olympic Class. They are expensive though. No I don't even own any stock.........but like the product.

[Idiens]

I have only heard good of them, but they are expensive.

Not too sure if they are seagull proof.

[7Psych]

I just purchased a full cruising pac with the wireless helm station. I have yet to install as my boat is still being built. However, they will interface with my Garmin chartplotter as well. Got a terrific deal at the Annapolis boat show...the wireless helm station was FREE!!!!! To purchase, it costs $599.00. I like the wireless fact. I've had nothing but unreliability with Ray Marine and B&G. Always NOT working for more than two das in a row. Also, am tired of troubleshooting connections. I have friends who have the racing package on their boats and have been trouble free since installation.

[sailingdog]

I recently installed TackTick gear to replace an ST60 setup, since the ST60 system was having issues. The problems with the ST60 were all wiring related, mainly the connections at the mast base.

Installation was a piece of cake, and the system works beautifully, even interfacing with my Raymarine ST1000 tillerpilot via NMEA.

Adding instrument displays is very easy and they're adding more capabilities to the system all the time.

One nice feature to the system is that the digital displays can display system voltage for the 12 VDC system, as well as operate, even if the 12VDC system fails, at least for a short period of time, since the hull transmitter has a battery in it that will power the transducers for a while. The Wind transducer and the instrument displays are powered separately via solar panels.

BTW, the displays will operate for up to 300 hours without additional sunlight to charge them, depending on your backlight level and the charge level of the internal batteries.

Several charter companies have switched to TackTick instruments to reduce their maintenance costs IIRC.

[kd3pc]

In years past they were very unreliable and had poor factory support...perhaps the new ones are better....recent reviews are middling at best, and still some support issues...

all the best what ever you decide.

[7Psych]

Sailingdog.......you have a private message.

Thanks.....

[jrd22]

Thanks everyone, sounds like those that have them like them. Kd3- could you direct me to the reviews that you have looked at please, I'd like to read them. How long has Tack Tick been around, I hadn't seen them before? Thanks, John

[sailingdog]

kd3pc-

I'd like to see those reviews as well... most of the stuff I've read on the tackTick gear has been pretty positive. I seriously doubt that Sunsail would be switching their charter fleet over to TackTick if the gear wasn't at least as reliable as the wired gear. Most of the fleets I know of that have been switching over to TackTick gear are doing it to lower maintenance and installation costs.

BTW, TackTick has been around since at least 1999... so they've not exactly a new company.