Sailingdog

[poopdeckpappy]

I read you switched to Tacktick instruments and was wondering what you thought of them.

[sailingdog]

Yes, at the middle of last season, I switched over to the TackTick T104 set, which gives you wind, speed, depth and temp, as well as an NMEA 0183 interface box. I've been very pleased with the way they work.

While the instruments can be mounted in quick-release mounts, I decided to mount mine using the more permanent screws. They are mounted on a port that I installed in the cockpit/cabin bulkhead and allows me to still use the port for ventilation when at anchor.

A few things that most people don't seem to realize:

First, the hull transmitter has a battery in it. I believe the NMEA 0183 interface does too. This allows the instruments to run independently of the boat's DC system for a while, but I don't know how long. The hull transmitter will power the two transducers.

Second, the instruments have a decent battery life, so even if the sun decides to go into hiding for a week, you'll still have instruments.

Third, as long as you're not near another boat with TackTick instruments, setup is very simple and straightforward. I found this out setting up the instruments on a friend's boat. Apparently, rafting my boat up to her's was a bad idea. We ended up separating the boats and anchoring a fair distance apart...and then trying it again.

Fourth, the TackTick instruments use standard AirMar transducers, so you can often re-use the transducers, which means you may be able to switch to the TackTick display heads without having to haul the boat. I'm an using the ST60 speed and depth transducers, which are also made by Airmar.

I've had the instruments up through quite a few thunderstorms...and haven't had any problems with them. Of course, I haven't been next to or involved in a direct lightning strike...but I don't think any brand of instruments would handle that well.

I hope this helps.

[poopdeckpappy]

Thanks SD, that helps a lot, I was concerned with the solar power and/or signal disruption, but it sounds that both are a non-issue


Thanks again

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by poopdeckpappy

Thanks SD, that helps a lot, I was concerned with the solar power and/or signal disruption, but it sounds that both are a non-issue


Thanks again

Dad's do not last a week. Maybe a day/two max. However, putting it in the sun seems to recharge it fairly quickly. They do seem to need direct sunlight, thnough.

They also seem a bit slower to respond (wind) than a traditional instrument might... but I have not experimented with that in detail. I am just throwing out a first had observation. But if it came to putting in those or pulling the stick and re-wiring, I would certainly go with them.

- CD

[T37Chef]

SO how do you think they would preform under a bimini?

And when the protective cover is in place for storage how do they charge?

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by T37Chef

SO how do you think they would preform under a bimini?

And when the protective cover is in place for storage how do they charge?

His is under a bimini.

Like I said, they do not seem to charge well under there, but simply set it out in the sun for a bit and it charges back up quickly. We have held his in the sun or set it in a spot of sun to suck up the rays, returning it to its holster after a good charge.

My experience.

- CD

[T37Chef]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

His is under a bimini.

Like I said, they do not seem to charge well under there, but simply set it out in the sun for a bit and it charges back up quickly. We have held his in the sun or set it in a spot of sun to suck up the rays, returning it to its holster after a good charge.

My experience.

- CD

Ummm, that could get old quick?

[Cruisingdad]

It is not as bad as it sounds, honestly. I reccomend the product.

- CD

[sailingdog]

Actually, I've found the instruments do just fine under a dodger and bimini. The trick is that you have to leave the covers off the instruments for a while during the middle of the day. Doesn't take too long for them to come up to charge. BTW, mine last more than a week, even if the week is really rainy and cloudy.

[jbondy]

I got the wind package. Installation and setup were both easy. I too went with a permanent mount and so connected the display to power so there's no issue with recharging under bimini/dodger. I've had problems, though.

The wind speed spinny thingy (sorry for the use of technical jargon!) at times won't move when the wind is under about 8 kts. Other times it's fine. Also, sometimes the wireless connection bewteen the transducer and the display seems to get lost. It either just continues to display whatever it was at the time the signal was lost or it displays "- -" for the speed and dead ahead for the direction. Calls and e-mails to Customer Service went unanswered until literally days before the 2-year warranty was about to expire. I had to send both units back for service, which will either be free under warranty of cost me $280. I haven't heard yet which it will be. For me, the jury is still out.