Deciding on Wind Display / Unit ? Pros and Cons please.

[Refueler]

For years I have been using the old burgee and I think its time to join the 21st century with a Display and Mast head unit (full systems). There are three systems I am looking at and would like to hear views on users of these ...

NASA Cruiser wired system (No NMEA)

NASA Target wired system (with NMEA)

NASA Target wireless system (with NMEA)

As a penny pinching cheapskate that I am ... of course the wired Cruiser system attracts me - but then it has no NMEA out to connect to plotter for data display ... The Target system gives the NMEA but still with that cable to sort. As the wind display and plotter are relatively close to each other and both would be always seen at helm - is it really that much advantage to have it on plotter as well ?

Wireless interests me for installation without need to run all that cable - drill holes in mast / deck etc. It also has the NMEA out. But I am wary of Solar charged battery - I have so many garden items that have Solar charged power and fail after short time.

As a user of any of above - can you describe your experience and whether you would choose one of the other if installing again ? If wired - what plug / socket did you use at deck level for the cable ?

Just to be clear, I am not considering another brand unless I find at bargain price !! I have had plenty of NASA gear over the years and happy enough to stay with them. Over to you guys ...

 

[Refueler]

Interesting ... I have found a supplier that prices are competitive - certainly better than ridiculous eBay and its Global Shipping con !

Cruiser non NMEA at 275 euros
Target 2 with NMEA at 245 euros
Target wireless at 390 euros

all quote 9 euros shipping ....

The interesting bit is that the Target 2 is cheaper than the Cruiser ..... despite the NMEA bit. Same masthead unit ..

 

[Boathook]

I looked at wireless system for my masthead when I put a new system in. I ended up with a wired one as I already had a cabled one and there were too many stories about the wireless ones disconnecting, solar not charging batteries, etc.
I have also since found that my Furuno radar seems to affect my phones Bluetooth connection to the Victron smart controller. Whether that would effect the wireless masthead unit I don't know.

 

[GerardV]

For years I have been using the old burgee and I think its time to join the 21st century with a Display and Mast head unit (full systems). There are three systems I am looking at and would like to hear views on users of these ...

NASA Cruiser wired system (No NMEA)

NASA Target wired system (with NMEA)

NASA Target wireless system (with NMEA)

As a penny pinching cheapskate that I am ... of course the wired Cruiser system attracts me - but then it has no NMEA out to connect to plotter for data display ... The Target system gives the NMEA but still with that cable to sort. As the wind display and plotter are relatively close to each other and both would be always seen at helm - is it really that much advantage to have it on plotter as well ?

Wireless interests me for installation without need to run all that cable - drill holes in mast / deck etc. It also has the NMEA out. But I am wary of Solar charged battery - I have so many garden items that have Solar charged power and fail after short time.

As a user of any of above - can you describe your experience and whether you would choose one of the other if installing again ? If wired - what plug / socket did you use at deck level for the cable ?

Just to be clear, I am not considering another brand unless I find at bargain price !! I have had plenty of NASA gear over the years and happy enough to stay with them. Over to you guys ...

Many people will confirm that the Nasa electronics are fine but that the mast head unit are not very durable to say the least.

 

[Minerva]

We have a NASA clipper wireless wind instrument. It’s worked just fine for the last 5 (?) seasons.

Not having to run a wire down the mast made it very easy to fit. Would happily fit another one if I were to buy a new boat.

 

[johnalison]

If you have a speed log as well as your plotter, then the option to display true wind can be very useful, especially when motoring or motor-sailing. Otherwise, the only real use for a masthead unit is to save your neck from having to look up at the burgee, as well as improving your bragging rights on recorded wind speed, as well as providing a corrective to overestimation.

 

[Tranona]

The Clipper Wireless with NMEA 0183 is widely available in chandlers here for £320 or so.

 

[Neeves]

What's so difficult in dropping a cable down the mast? You probably have cables there already, VHF, nav lights (and if you are lucky a mouse line).

As mentioned knowing true wind is very advantageous, especially when running down wind - where you can develop a false sense of security.

Its a pity to bin an expensive bit of kit (I'm as parsimonious as you) because the solar gives up.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

The Clipper Wireless with NMEA 0183 is widely available in chandlers here for £320 or so.

UK sellers are no use to me actually as I end up paying more once imported to Latvia.

The prices I quoted above are from German Chandlers..... so its VAT paid at source etc. and delivery in 3 days.

 

[Refueler]

Many people will confirm that the Nasa electronics are fine but that the mast head unit are not very durable to say the least.

I have known a number of owners who lost the 'cups' on the masthead units. Reckon I can always 3D print some if needed ..

 

[KompetentKrew]

I went for an LCJ Capteurs CV7 ultrasonic wind transducer. Has NMEA 0183 coming down the wire from the mast, and they do an NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 "windy plug" which also adds a barometer. LCJ Capteurs are super helpful and friendly. The product is not cheap though.

This recent thread about a non-working wireless masthead unit made me feel validated in my decision and, when looking for it, I found someone else with a similar experience. NASA's technical support is far more helpful and responsive than B&G's, of course, and their instruments have that charming old-fangled styling.

 

[jac]

My own suggestion would be wired with NMEA.

Wired is just more reliable - no reliance on solar or the signal not dropping out. NMEA is useful if combined with other data but if you're eyeball navigating then doesn't give much

 

[RupertW]

We have had a Tacktick wireless set for 13 years. Well not a set, it’s been so far two masthead transducers, two displays and many many months of different seasons with it dodgy as the problem worsens.

Currently waiting for a part to arrive to change the batteries in the masthead as it has only worked for a few hours of the day and hardly at night since January.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

What make is the plotter?

 

[alan_d]

Otherwise, the only real use for a masthead unit is to save your neck from having to look up at the burgee,,,

A non-trivial benefit once you are in your 70s.

 

[Tranona]

What's so difficult in dropping a cable down the mast? You probably have cables there already, VHF, nav lights (and if you are lucky a mouse line).

As mentioned knowing true wind is very advantageous, especially when running down wind - where you can develop a false sense of security.

Its a pity to bin an expensive bit of kit (I'm as parsimonious as you) because the solar gives up.

Jonathan

It is not so much dropping the cable down the mast, but when retrofitting, getting it through the deck and then along the boat to where the instrument head is located. Been doing this on my project boat and it is hard work.

 

[Tranona]

If you have a speed log as well as your plotter, then the option to display true wind can be very useful, especially when motoring or motor-sailing. Otherwise, the only real use for a masthead unit is to save your neck from having to look up at the burgee, as well as improving your bragging rights on recorded wind speed, as well as providing a corrective to overestimation.

And for getting your autopilot to steer to wind, a very valuable function and the reason why I shall probably be fitting one having been spoiled by it on my last boat.

 

[Minerva]

Just thinking; with an increasing number of boats with stern arches / solar gantries - has anyone looked into how much difference a wind vane mounted on a stern arch would display compared to the mast head?

 

[Praxinoscope]

I fitted the NASA wireless wind system ti my biat about 5 years ago, it still works well and I have had no problems with it.
I did a quick test before installing it on the mas and carried e masthead unit away from the boat to see how far it would transmit, it still transmitted to the base station at 100' away.

 

[flaming]

Just thinking; with an increasing number of boats with stern arches / solar gantries - has anyone looked into how much difference a wind vane mounted on a stern arch would display compared to the mast head?

Downwind, not much, on a reach, a bit, upwind, a lot. There's a reason why you can't follow another boat closely upwind, and that's all the disturbed air coming off the back of their mainsail.