Wind Instruments

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Over the weekend I had to take the mast down to replace VHF aerial, windex and cable. The ones that I had were blown off during a severe gust and now repose silently on the bottom, somewhere near the pontoon. They had outlived their lifespan anyway.

While looking over 'the magazine' to see what alternatives are available (for wind direction) one particular advertisement caught my eye. Two instruments, by the same maker: one was a 'Clipper Wind' at £186.38 while the other one was a 'Clipper Wind close haul' at £67.23.

My untrained eyes are seeing these two instruments as very similar. Both displays feature the outline of a boat with an arrow that, presumably, shows the wind direction and digits in the centre indicating, again presumably, the wind speed.

Questions:

(1) What am I missing?
(2) What is the difference between them?
(3) Why should one cost three times as much as the other?

 

[sailorman]

one is wind direction through 360 deg
close hauled is a magnification on 120deg either side og wind from ahead or astern

 

[gandy]

If the Close Hauled instrument is cheaper, it may be only a repeater needing "normal" wind meter to provide the raw data.

 

[salamicollie]

The close haul is instrument only - it needs the wind one (which includes the vital masthead bits) to work

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

JEEEEZZZ!!!! That was quick!

So, if I am understanding correctly, the close haul shows the same basic information as the 'wind' but on an e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d scale. This would allow a more accurate indication of shifts and deviations, in turn allowing for closer control of sail trim and helm. Makes sense now.

Thank you all for your prompt response!

 

[Caer Urfa]

Bought a 'Target wind' system earlier this year for £136.95 from Cactus, cheap yes, works great, spare part if needed yes, clear to see yes.
Tested on top of the main mast and ontop of a 5' high pushpit rail reading differance not worth thinking about on a motorsailor, guess where i put it? and I can get at it easy!
Good bit of kit shows wind direction and speed so why pay more?
Mike

 

[sailorman]

My Raytheon ST 60 wind steers the boat thats why one pays more

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

So does my ancient Navico Tillerpilot TP5000 which is fitted with a wind vane. (I still don't have a wind instrument).

Why pay more?