GPS Repeater

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slimted

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I am currentlly updating instruments on my 25' yacht. I have space in the cockpit instrument panel for another display. I have looked at a gps repeater and wondered if anyone has an opinon on them. I am getting a little worried that I will end up sailing to gps rather than reality. After all, all I need to do is stretch a little from the tiller and peek down below to see plotter. What would you install instead? I would rather fit something now than rip boat apart again sometime down the line!!
 
The GPS repeater can be really useful to work out what the tide is doing, comparing your SOG & COG to the log and compass (I'd argue that the GPS gives you reality!). Personally I think it is well worth having in the cockpit (I have a Nasa Clipper repeater).

Marc.
 
Don't know what instruments you have, but if they are ST60s then the graphics repeater they offer really appeals to me..... it can act as a GPS repeater, or can provide any of the other ST60 data, but also can graph things out, eg changing depths, wind over the last hour etc etc.... they aren't cheap (about £350 IIRC), but could be a very useful little tool.... and if you find ytourself following the GPS track rather than your CTS, then change its display to show something else!
 
Cockpit repeater is a good plan, but there are very few around. We looked at the Nasa and the Silva. Neither are brilliant in display terms, the graphics are a bit spidery and can be difficult to read at night if, for example, you locate the instrument in the cockpit hatch garage panel which can be some way from the helm position. In the end we settled for the Silva. If the instrument can be located closer to the helm it will be less of a problem. The Navtex Nav6 plus or whatever it is now, also offers a repeat function and is suitable for a (sheltered) cockpit installation
 
The others have given good answers re repeaters' functionality but you are quite right, you do end up looking at the instrument rather than the real world! Its great when the tide is with you and you can pretend that SOG is somewhere close to your speed through the water, then depressing for 6 hours or so when the tide turns and reality catches up!
 
'Cockpit repeater is a good plan, but there are very few around. We looked at the Nasa and the Silva. Neither are brilliant in display terms, the graphics are a bit spidery and can be difficult to read at night'

I agree the Silva display is a bit spidery but my nasa display is certainly not. It has big solid characters easily read from any angle or distance. It also has a fully functional road and good night veiwing. I am very pleased with it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't know what instruments you have, but if they are ST60s then the graphics repeater they offer really appeals to me..... it can act as a GPS repeater, or can provide any of the other ST60 data, but also can graph things out, eg changing depths, wind over the last hour etc etc.... they aren't cheap (about £350 IIRC), but could be a very useful little tool.... and if you find ytourself following the GPS track rather than your CTS, then change its display to show something else!

[/ QUOTE ]I'll add my vote for the ST60 graphics repeater. We have one and use it as a GPS repeater when sailing as well as a monitor of various functions.

One very useful graph is wind speed and direction. A quick press of a button soon tells you whether the wind really is getting up as a trend, or whether its just a quick squall going through.

Battery voltage is also plotted as a graph, along with depth etc.

Fantastic bit of kit - this is assuming you've got Raymarine instruments!

If you just want a GPS repeater, Silva do a nice one which we have used in the past.
 
Fitted a NASA repeater last year and it represents some of the best money spent on the boat so far. Would not do without it now.
To balance my liking for all things new I still use the sextant now and again as a form of punishment and to remember how difficult sailing could be without the modern gizmos. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I've been quite pleased with my Navman Repeat 3100. It accepts several NMEA inputs as well us the proprietry NavBus.

Clear to read and cheap :-)
 
I can only second this oppinion fitted the clipper to my humble vessel over a year ago. certanley shows the difference between compass heading, log readings and the real world. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I agree with all said about NASA repeater - excellent.

Have you thought of just mounting your existing GPS on a swing bracket like the old fashioned echo sounders used to use? On the hatch to the cockpit? I means you can see it from the helm. Stand below with the GPS swung in and programme in the routes and then swing it round for sailing.. It will allow you to re-programme routes from the cockpit and is far more flexible than a repeater... They are good but frankly in a small boat I think the swing bracket for the GPS is more useful.

(personally I would always carry a 2nd one as backup - little one.. I have twice had GPS die on me on passage!!)
 
NASA GPS repeater is one of the most useful accessories I've fitted. Being able to keep a check without leaving cockpit on your track relative to waypoint is a real safety feature, especially short or single handed.
 
Another alternative is to install a second mounting bracket and cables as I have done for my Garmin 152 in the cockpit, can now use all the functions of the set that a repeater will not permit.
 
I've installed the Silva Star repeater on my last boat and it was the first piece of additional electronics I put on my new boat.

The display is in a garage above the hatch and is perfectly legible from the back of the cockpit on a 34 foot boat. It is a really good value for money way to display data - four pieces (COG, SOG, BTW, DTW) on one display for about £80. Compare that to what you would have to pay to get the same data displayed on your system displays (ST60 etc.). Mine is TackTick and I would need two dual line displays at £309 each. £80 plays £618 - no contest.

AND

The Silva Star Repeater has it's own on board Man Overboard (MOB) function that operates independently of the GPS that drives it. You don't need to dive below to press the button just when you are needed on deck. I see this as a major safety feature and benefit of Silva over Nasa.

No connection, just a satisfied customer -- twice.

Ed
 
Repeater and routes

I have a Silva repeater (very happy with it) and find it is particularly useful when using a "route" made up of a series of connected legs. Of course the repeater tells you when you are going to get to the next waypoint and thats very useful when you are getting cold and fed up. The more important function is that it tells you when to change course - again without the need to go below.
 
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