Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems

I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

Oh, well. Unfortunately, fancy and cheap usually don't go together. I believe the individual Tacktick pieces are also expensive. I have almost no instruments. Compass and knot meter. I find all the numbers distracting, at least as part of the local racing. (Off shore is definitely different.) I just grab my ass with both hands, and use what is left to drive the boat and determine its direction. Definitely cheaper. The numbers do not give a good feel for driving and handling the boat. I'm sure there are other opinions on the topic, but that is mine. It has no religious or political implications. Second topic for sail $$. For those who want major long life from their sails, go with dacron. It degrades (stretches) quite gracefully, and can thus be used a long time. The modern plastics, and the construction methods used, say that the sail will come apart before it can get old. We used to have a thriving CAL 25 market in selling off old racing sails to cruisers, but with the advent of mylars and such, that is no longer the case. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Compass Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 5:29 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price? ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

Right, I hear you about cost... wireless electronic windmeter or use a wet finger :) My thinking has started from the need to get a new depth sounder. Mine is dead, and I was pondering an upgrade of other systems.

TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

If you are considering Tacktick contact me off-list and perhaps I can make the price less frightening. Regards, Wayne From: Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 10:04:52 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Right, I hear you about cost... wireless electronic windmeter or use a wet finger :) My thinking has started from the need to get a new depth sounder. Mine is dead, and I was pondering an upgrade of other systems.

Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > > > Second topic for sail $$. For those who want major long life from > their sails, go with dacron. It degrades (stretches) quite gracefully, > and can thus be used a long time. The modern plastics, and the > construction methods used, say that the sail will come apart before it > can get old. We used to have a thriving CAL 25 market in selling off > old racing sails to cruisers, but with the advent of mylars and such, > that is no longer the case. > A former listmate found me a good used mainsail for my Cal 20 a couple years ago, to replace what might have been the 1967 original and was certainly a couple decades old. The "new" used sail has a better shape than the old one, but even the old one wasn't wretched. My jib is a little bit tired but still usable. Same with my other boat. I think I mentioned that I had just ordered a new working jib to replace the current one--the one that came with the boat in 1961. The local sailmaker's rep spotted all the original sail's deficiencies, but they were not gross ones. The current mainsail dates from the early 1970s and I am able to give it a suitable shape by use of the boat's nice bronze screw-type outhaul and block-and-tackle downhaul. The modern varieties of laminated plastics & fibers make for wonderful sail shapes but short, expensive lives. For many of us, they are best enjoyed on other people's boats. Durable, good-enough old Dacron sails keep boat ownership within my budget. I'd rather be sailing with an old, slightly frowzy sail than sitting on shore dreaming about some day. Chris Campbell > >

is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: wa… [at] yahoo.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

Pinged you off list Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:15 AM, Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com>wrote: > > > If you are considering Tacktick contact me off-list and perhaps I can make > the price less frightening. > > Regards, > Wayne > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> > *To:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > *Sent:* Wed, September 1, 2010 10:04:52 PM > *Subject:* Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > > Right, I hear you about cost... wireless electronic windmeter or use a wet > finger :) > > My thinking has started from the need to get a new depth sounder. Mine is > dead, and I was pondering an upgrade of other systems. > > >

I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: > > > is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need > replacing in readout units? > Reggie > > ------------------------------ > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > From: wa… [at] yahoo.com > Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 > > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. > > Regards, > Wayne > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> > > *To:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > *Sent:* Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM > *Subject:* [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > > I love the idea of no wires... > > T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System > http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 > > Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much > heart palpitation on the price? > > > > > >

This is the official answer: The batteries are affected by discharge and the life of the batteries used is not measured in time but in cycles of charge and discharge. In normal operation the Micronet displays operate at a very low discarge level as they are continually charged by daylight. If the batteries are continually drained flat then recharged again, then the overall life will be reduced but this is not part of their normal operating range. However most Tacktick instruments have replaceable batteries so in the unlikley event of a total battery failure the unit can be serviced by any Tacktick distributor. Personally, I have not seen a battery fail so I can't give you a more specific answer. The key to keeping the battery in good order is not allowing it to completely discharge. These units consume so little power that if there is any light during the day the state of charge will always be sufficient for 24 hour operation. Regards, Wayne From: r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> To: ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:20:46 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: wa… [at] yahoo.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

Specifically regarding the masthead unit: There is a solar panel, battery, and transmitter in an extremely small, light package. The unit is completely self contained. Regards, Wayne From: Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:31:37 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: >is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need >replacing in readout units? >Reggie > > >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >From: wa… [at] yahoo.com >Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 > >Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > >TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. > > >Regards, >Wayne > > > From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> > >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM >Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > >I love the idea of no wires... > >T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System >http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 > >Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart >palpitation on the price? > > > > >

Wayne – are you a dealer/ what other items do you represent? I only have one experience with TackTick on the Van Isle 360 race last year with mixed results. dEmO From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Gillikin Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 7:26 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Specifically regarding the masthead unit: There is a solar panel, battery, and transmitter in an extremely small, light package. The unit is completely self contained. Regards, Wayne From: Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:31:37 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com<mailto:my… [at] hotmail.com>> wrote: is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> From: wa… [at] yahoo.com<mailto:wa… [at] yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net<mailto:co… [at] compassdesigns.net>> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

Tim, I am a dealer for Tacktick and also a big fan of the technology. I have Tacktick on my boat and love them. However, I can supply any electronics you may require. Regards, Wayne From: "ti… [at] ch2m.com" <ti… [at] ch2m.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 10:30:26 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Wayne – are you a dealer/ what other items do you represent? I only have one experience with TackTick on the Van Isle 360 race last year with mixed results. dEmO From:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Gillikin Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 7:26 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Specifically regarding the masthead unit: There is a solar panel, battery, and transmitter in an extremely small, light package. The unit is completely self contained. Regards, Wayne From:Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:31:37 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: wa… [at] yahoo.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From:Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent:Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

Do you have a web presence? Cheers, Timm Lessley (Sent from Blackberry) (503) 863-4019 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thu Sep 02 08:48:31 2010 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Tim, I am a dealer for Tacktick and also a big fan of the technology. I have Tacktick on my boat and love them. However, I can supply any electronics you may require. Regards, Wayne From: "ti… [at] ch2m.com" <ti… [at] ch2m.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 10:30:26 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Wayne – are you a dealer/ what other items do you represent? I only have one experience with TackTick on the Van Isle 360 race last year with mixed results. dEmO From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Gillikin Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 7:26 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Specifically regarding the masthead unit: There is a solar panel, battery, and transmitter in an extremely small, light package. The unit is completely self contained. Regards, Wayne From: Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:31:37 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com<mailto:my… [at] hotmail.com>> wrote: is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> From: wa… [at] yahoo.com<mailto:wa… [at] yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net<mailto:co… [at] compassdesigns.net>> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

FYI, Here's some comments that are encouraging. http://www.panbo.com/archives/2009/06/wireless_n2k_wind_more_tacktick_style.html --Michael-- From: "ti… [at] ch2m.com" <ti… [at] ch2m.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 11:07:53 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Do you have a web presence? Cheers, Timm Lessley (Sent from Blackberry) (503) 863-4019 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thu Sep 02 08:48:31 2010 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Tim, I am a dealer for Tacktick and also a big fan of the technology. I have Tacktick on my boat and love them. However, I can supply any electronics you may require. Regards, Wayne From: "ti… [at] ch2m.com" <ti… [at] ch2m.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 10:30:26 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Wayne – are you a dealer/ what other items do you represent? I only have one experience with TackTick on the Van Isle 360 race last year with mixed results. dEmO From:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Gillikin Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 7:26 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems Specifically regarding the masthead unit: There is a solar panel, battery, and transmitter in an extremely small, light package. The unit is completely self contained. Regards, Wayne From:Barrie North <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:31:37 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think it has a nifty solar panel in the mast unit so (supposedly) it never needs batteries etc... Barrie On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 AM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do batteries need replacing in readout units? Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: wa… [at] yahoo.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for pricing. Regards, Wayne From:Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent:Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I love the idea of no wires... T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as much heart palpitation on the price?

I think TackTick has modified the units so the battery can be changed. That was not the case in the original design and was the source of some complaints. Mike Kennedy On Sep 2, 2010, at 7:21 AM, Wayne Gillikin wrote: > > This is the official answer: > > The batteries are affected by discharge and the life of the > batteries used is not measured in time but in cycles of charge and > discharge. In normal operation the Micronet displays operate at a > very low discarge level as they are continually charged by daylight. > If the batteries are continually drained flat then recharged again, > then the overall life will be reduced but this is not part of their > normal operating range. However most Tacktick instruments have > replaceable batteries so in the unlikley event of a total battery > failure the unit can be serviced by any Tacktick distributor. > > Personally, I have not seen a battery fail so I can't give you a > more specific answer. The key to keeping the battery in good order > is not allowing it to completely discharge. These units consume so > little power that if there is any light during the day the state of > charge will always be sufficient for 24 hour operation. > > Regards, > Wayne > > From: r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> > To: ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:20:46 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do > batteries need replacing in readout units? > Reggie > > > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > From: wa… [at] yahoo.com > Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for > pricing. > > Regards, > Wayne > > From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM > Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > I love the idea of no wires... > > T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System > http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 > > Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as > much heart palpitation on the price? > > > > > > > >

The batteries are replaceable in the standard displays but the replacement can not be done by the end user. Regards, Wayne From: Michael Kennedy <mi… [at] mac.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 1:12:26 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems I think TackTick has modified the units so the battery can be changed. That was not the case in the original design and was the source of some complaints. Mike Kennedy On Sep 2, 2010, at 7:21 AM, Wayne Gillikin wrote: > > This is the official answer: > > The batteries are affected by discharge and the life of the > batteries used is not measured in time but in cycles of charge and > discharge. In normal operation the Micronet displays operate at a > very low discarge level as they are continually charged by daylight. > If the batteries are continually drained flat then recharged again, > then the overall life will be reduced but this is not part of their > normal operating range. However most Tacktick instruments have > replaceable batteries so in the unlikley event of a total battery > failure the unit can be serviced by any Tacktick distributor. > > Personally, I have not seen a battery fail so I can't give you a > more specific answer. The key to keeping the battery in good order > is not allowing it to completely discharge. These units consume so > little power that if there is any light during the day the state of > charge will always be sufficient for 24 hour operation. > > Regards, > Wayne > > From: r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> > To: ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 9:20:46 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > is there a battery in the masthead wind unit? how often do > batteries need replacing in readout units? > Reggie > > > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > From: wa… [at] yahoo.com > Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:11:18 -0700 > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > TackTick is the only wireless system. Contact me off-list for > pricing. > > Regards, > Wayne > > From: Compass <co… [at] compassdesigns.net> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 5:29:26 PM > Subject: [Cal_Boats] Wireless Wind, Speed & Depth Systems > > > I love the idea of no wires... > > T108 Wireless, Wind, Speed & Depth System > http://www.tacktick.com/products/132 > > Are there any other similar products to Tacktick that don't give as > much heart palpitation on the price? > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

What surprises me is that manufactures are still playing the wired game with proprietary network protocols when bluetooth or zigbee protocols are available at extremely low manufacturing costs and extremely energy efficient. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-zigbee.htm I just don't get it. Its like marine electronics is about 3 generations behind the tech curve, with the emphasis on added value options at the plotter. I mean how many pictures do you really need on your plotter...:) And the costs....when you consider whats inside these units....wow. When it comes to handheld devices these are great as backup units but would not set out with one as a primary solution. Interestingly enough Navex is making a play here on android and the ipod as they are dumping their product complete with charts for a pittance. Interesting where all this is going to end up from the charting perspective once the EU satellites come on stream complete with bathymetric data. Interesting times. /ch