alan54j
New Member
anybody used the NASA speed log i`m thinking of buying one to backup my trailing log are they any good ? cheap enough though !
radar
radar
nasa speed log
- Thread starter alan54j
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VicS
Well-Known Member
There was a thread a few days ago about Nasa instruments. IIRC, apart from some reservations about the wind instruments, they were considered good unsophisticated bits of kit.
A search ought to find the other thread.
I expect you mean you will be keeping your trailed log as back up for the Nasa
A search ought to find the other thread.
I expect you mean you will be keeping your trailed log as back up for the Nasa
RestlessL
Well-Known Member
I thought I was having a good day if my NASA log worked for more than 50% of the time. Tried everything, - changed the wheel, the transducer and the head, but could not find a combination that would work reliably.
On the last trip out I could hardly read the display due to condensation.
I have probably just had a bad example.
J
On the last trip out I could hardly read the display due to condensation.
I have probably just had a bad example.
J
spottydog
Well-Known Member
Sounds like one of the better ones. My log has worked for maybe 5% of the time.
The anenometer just short of never.
GPS repeater is excellent and I can recommend the battery monitor.
The anenometer just short of never.
GPS repeater is excellent and I can recommend the battery monitor.
Clyde_Wanderer
Well-Known Member
My log seems to work better out of the water than in.
Last season it worked after relaunching, boat sat in the dock for a week or so then took her down river, log dident work for the rest of the season until the day of the return journey back up river 4mths later.
Its the Nasa clipper duet, and the echo reads OUT most of the time and flashes the depth the rest of the time.
My advice is pay a bit more and get stisfaction, not frustration.
Last season it worked after relaunching, boat sat in the dock for a week or so then took her down river, log dident work for the rest of the season until the day of the return journey back up river 4mths later.
Its the Nasa clipper duet, and the echo reads OUT most of the time and flashes the depth the rest of the time.
My advice is pay a bit more and get stisfaction, not frustration.
Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
I have one which came with the boat. Works well most of the time, but does tend to pick up a bit of crap from time to time. You are supposed to be able to take it out, clean the paddle, and replace it while afloat, but I've never had the bottle to deliberately pull something out of the bottom of the boat and leave a hole for the water to come in! I just ignore it. The GPS gives SOG anyway, which suits me fine.
RestlessL
Well-Known Member
It is a bit scary, but with practice you can get the blanking plug on before too much water comes in. A round dam around the sensor (small round container with bottom cut off and glassed to the bottom) will contain the water, and make it easier to mop it up.
However, the better transducers come with a flap to reduce the inflow. Nowadays most of the instrument makers use Airmar transducers, so if you decide to change instruments mid season you can keep the exisiting transducers (although finding the right plugs may be a challenge).
NASA use different transducers, which seem to lack the reliability of the mainstream kit. That is not to say that Airmar transducers will not pick up weed etc.
On the other hand, I also have the NASA GPS repeater and the battery monitor - and would recommend these.
John
However, the better transducers come with a flap to reduce the inflow. Nowadays most of the instrument makers use Airmar transducers, so if you decide to change instruments mid season you can keep the exisiting transducers (although finding the right plugs may be a challenge).
NASA use different transducers, which seem to lack the reliability of the mainstream kit. That is not to say that Airmar transducers will not pick up weed etc.
On the other hand, I also have the NASA GPS repeater and the battery monitor - and would recommend these.
John
Poignard
Well-Known Member
The quickest way, if you have an assistant, is to pull the transducer out and one of you put your palm over the hole whilst the other cleans the impellor.
With a bit of practice you can do it without an assistant; left palm over the hole, and finger and thumb holding the transducer then use your right hand to pick off whatever is fouling the impeller.
Most of the time I find that turning the transducer through 180 degrees for a while, with the boat moving through the water at a decent speed, clears it.
With a bit of practice you can do it without an assistant; left palm over the hole, and finger and thumb holding the transducer then use your right hand to pick off whatever is fouling the impeller.
Most of the time I find that turning the transducer through 180 degrees for a while, with the boat moving through the water at a decent speed, clears it.
ms1
Well-Known Member
I have a NASA log . Its fine.
I think all these logs which are dependent on the operation of the paddle-wheel are prone to clogging through weed or similar . I usually find that a bit of welly in reverse tends to clear it. NASA are incredibly helpful on the phone.
I think all these logs which are dependent on the operation of the paddle-wheel are prone to clogging through weed or similar . I usually find that a bit of welly in reverse tends to clear it. NASA are incredibly helpful on the phone.
morgandlm
Well-Known Member
No problem with the NASA log other than contamination with bits of weed and other rubbish. I assume this will also affect other through-hull paddle wheel type logs. I've got fairly slick at pulling the transducer out, shoving a cap on the hole, cleaning it and putting it back. Nerve-wracking the first time but with practice only a litre or so comes in. Usually have to do this every few weeks. Sometimes just turning the unit a little without pulling it out gets it going.
As reported before, the wind unit is crap (in my experience).
Morgan
As reported before, the wind unit is crap (in my experience).
Morgan
johnneale
Well-Known Member
No problems with mine after 5000 + miles. best unassemble the paddlewheel and lightly antifoul if every year. Good bit of kit. - unlike the echosounder which very irritating flashing variable depths when over 15 metres ( have put in a switch to turn it off in deep water - & much better.)
Amulet
Well-Known Member
Works for me. Mank on the paddle wheel is common but seems a legit reason for not working. I withdraw mine when leaving the boat and blank it off. Seems no great hassle to me - deep bilges so a few pints of water make no difference.
Clean the wheel and stick my finger it the gushing hole to remove weed.
Sounder from NASA freaks me with wild readings when the water is muddy or the bottom squidgy - resolved by playing with the threshold setting.
Wind was sporadically underreading. Remade the masthead setup and renewed cups this season - we'll see.
Clean the wheel and stick my finger it the gushing hole to remove weed.
Sounder from NASA freaks me with wild readings when the water is muddy or the bottom squidgy - resolved by playing with the threshold setting.
Wind was sporadically underreading. Remade the masthead setup and renewed cups this season - we'll see.
Jonny_H
Well-Known Member
Depth seems fine to us - sometimes get sporadic readings if in muddy water, but as you say fiddling with the sensitivity solves this.
Speed seems to work ok (now) - didn't work last season but found the magnets in the paddlewheel had gone (£6 to replace from Nasa) - now works well (just need to calibrate it accurately).
Wind - cups went within 6 months of us buying the boat and direction never worked properly - just put a new masthead unit on which seems to work well (although I am forever checking to make sure the cups are still there as I am not hopeful that they will stay on for more than a season or so based on reports on this forum)
GPS repeater - excellent and invaluable to us
Navtex - very good, doesn't like receiving messages if shore power plugged in, but otherwise good.
I think in general they are what they say on the tin - budget instruments. If I was buying from new I would probably put Raymarine or simalar on, but as we have them I am happy to give them a fair trial. To my mind the 'critical' instrument in our collection is depth - which has (touch wood) not let us down to date.
Jonny
Speed seems to work ok (now) - didn't work last season but found the magnets in the paddlewheel had gone (£6 to replace from Nasa) - now works well (just need to calibrate it accurately).
Wind - cups went within 6 months of us buying the boat and direction never worked properly - just put a new masthead unit on which seems to work well (although I am forever checking to make sure the cups are still there as I am not hopeful that they will stay on for more than a season or so based on reports on this forum)
GPS repeater - excellent and invaluable to us
Navtex - very good, doesn't like receiving messages if shore power plugged in, but otherwise good.
I think in general they are what they say on the tin - budget instruments. If I was buying from new I would probably put Raymarine or simalar on, but as we have them I am happy to give them a fair trial. To my mind the 'critical' instrument in our collection is depth - which has (touch wood) not let us down to date.
Jonny
chewi
Well-Known Member
I got fed up with Nasa kit a while ago. The final straw was the speed/log plastic skin fitting snapping off while I tried to align it. Thankfully I had softwood bungs. There was a thread on here after that that suggested they shoud not be sealed with sikaflex as that embrittles them. Is the hole in the boat worth it?
The NASA echo sounder was no better in either of my last boats.
The NASA echo sounder was no better in either of my last boats.
