Wind instruments - suggestions and interfacing ?

[whipper_snapper]

Dear All

I presently have a dead Nasa 'Target' wind setup. Following a number of posts here I am disinclined to replace the masthead transducer and am contemplating replacing the whole thing. Does anyone have experience of and comments on the Tacktick wireless wind system? Does it really have a wireless masthead unit ?

Also I would like it to talk to my autopilot, following some very helpful information here I am going for a new Raymarine S1. It appears that this incorporates NMEA-Seatalk translation. (I guess it must at some level to understand non Raymarine GPS talk) Can anyone confirm that it will read and use NMEA wind information ? If so, how do I get it to talk to the Tacktick wireless sytem ? I don't see a Tacktick device intended to retransmit its wireless data onto a conventional wired NMEA system.

Again, many thanks for suggestions and comments.

 

[narooma]

Have you talked to Ticktack...I found them helpful.

 

[paulrack]

I have a tacktick system that gives a readout from the Garmin GPS and interfaces the GPS and wind instruments to my ST4000 autopilot. I got the wiring diagrams from the Tacktick online help by sending them an email, very helpful.

 

[simonfraser]

i have tacktick wind and nmea interface for garmin plotter and autohelm 1000+, works very well.

wind stopped working this january after just under 2 years, send both the mast head unit and diplay back, fixed free of charge under warranty by return of post.
nothing to unplug / reconnect, dead simple.

e-mail and phone help - monday to friday - very good.

good kit, go for it.

 

[simonfraser]

p.s. yes the masthead unit realy is wireless ! and so are all of the displays, the only thing to wire in is the nmea interface, anywhere in the boat will do.

the depth/log interface needs to be wired into the transmitters ofcourse and it needs 12V.

never had a problem with the displays losing charge, they have a small solar cell.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Yes - I have Tacktick - and S1 wheel pilot - they talk OK - though you will need the tacktick NMEA box - this simply broadcasts the wind etc messages - and can be wired to one of teh NMEA inputs on the S1 controller

Wind displays on C80 plotter too. The only thing I can't get on the plotter is the depth from the tacktick sounder - though rarmarine claim it should display !

Tacktick has basically done what it says on the tin for me - not cheap - but 2 years old - only had one problem in that the windspeed sensor started under reading. Tacktick said that they had had some problems, sent me out a new one before I sent the old one back (so only one mast trip) - why can't more suppliers do this - even if they take it against you cc for security ?

Said I had 2 years warranty on the replacement - so all in all pretty good treatment in this day and age

Basically pretty happy with it all

P.S. I think this is the NMEA box you may not have found yet

http://www.tacktick.com/products/17

 

[steve28]

depending on if its the head unit or the display thats faulty, you can buy just the clipper display unit that outputs nmea as standard, i have it working my autopilot very well, also privides input to the gps.
If the head unit is at fault it wouldnt be cost effective.
I dont know if you know that allgadgets.co.uk sell the parts for the nasa stuff separatly.

steve

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Tacktick = nice stuff but eye-wateringly expensive!

 

[whipper_snapper]

Thanks all.

Brilliantly helpful as always.