Hi, we have been having a debate on whether it is OK to use an electronic compass. Many thought that it would be against the rules, either Class rule or ISAF but I can’t find anything saying we cannot use them. Nick Faulkner thought it would be best if we asked you what you thought before we give the OK.
The compass we are looking at is the Tacktick Micro Compass. It is solar powered, very light and is easy to remove when sailing is over.

What do you think?!
Can we use them ?!

Hmm.... Arent and I have been thinking to buy the same thing for our boat while we were restoring it.
I don’t see the problem about using this thing. OK its a digital one and has some tactical features but nothing to special I guess, it doesn’t say to you
<b><i>Wake Up!! You’ve fallen off 20 degrees on the last 300 yards! time to tack you loser!</i></b>
If your heading drops you have to make the decision to tack
(and when) yourself... Maybe you can see it better with a digital one (because the number is changing) but the advantage of an analog one is that it doesn’t change a lot. I think this compass might drive you nuts because you have to look at the display always and remembering all those numbers...
Since a dinghy doesn’t sail in straight lines (you try to benefit from every gust) it might be a rather annoying instrument.
And tacking every time you have a decreasing heading? Think that will wear you out. You will be tacking for the rest of the race Ofcourse you have to intepret this somehow and might work in your advantage.

But.... my opinion on this... No problem, if you want to buy it, why don’t you. It’s not like you’re buying an engine (since that <b>IS</b> illegal for a javelin ) for your boat.

Let me know if it’s accepted and I might buy one too.

Below you have <strike>2</strike> 4 links:

<strike> Click here for the DEMO of the compass</strike> <-- not available anymore
[link=external=http://www.tacktick.com/files/userguides/Micro%20Compass_pc.pdf]Quick Reference[/link]
[link=external=http://www.tacktick.com/files/userguides/gb_Micro%20Compass_ug.pdf]User Guide[/link]
[link=external=http://www.tacktick.com/files/userguides/Usingwindshifts.pdf]Using Windshifts[/link]
[link=external=http://www.tacktick.com/files/faq3.html]TackTick Micro Compass F.A.Q.[/link]

Good luck

I know this thread is Old, almost as long ago as the last new Javelin built on the mainland !stil
Anyway quite a lot of us have the tactick now I love it.
Once you get to know to use it, it really helps on open water though not on small lakes.

Well there appears to be another electronic debate kicking off over here and that is over the use of the wrist GPS systems.
They give your postion, speed, direction etc plus you can enter waypoints and calculate your VMG to a waypoint.
Enter the position of the Windward mark and you can use it to make the decision whether to point high or point low, choose the right side or the left side of the course.
See how strong the tide is etc etc etc

Now these are quite expensive at the moment but the cost is coming down quickly.
I would really like one BUT is this technology going too far?
Do we lose the ability to sail by feel and rely on electronics?
We didn’t stop the Tacktick because those against were to slow to act.
If nobody says "Hey Stop using that GPS when Your racing" and gets the Class rules changed then by this time next year it will be too late!!!

Your thoughts?
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