Wind Instruments - Wireless vs. Hard Wired

[garylinger]

I have been looking at wind instruments and hope to (finances permitting) add instrumentation to show wind direction and speed. What are your opinions regarding wireless (such as Ticktack) vs. hardwired? I know there is a cost difference. Also, what are your opinions regarding the best overall manufacturer (cost, reliability, ease of installation, etc.)?

 

[jrpla]

T033 Wireless Wind System

Hi;

I installed about 1 week ago the new tacktick T033 Wireless Wind System from defender: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295761|301233|938227&id=1150660

The new kit is about same prices as a wired one, and so far, is excellent, especially how easy was to installed it.

 

[rpwillia]

The new ones that have no moving parts are nice

But really expensive. I believe they measure the induction caused by the wind flowing across the surface to measure the wind speed and direction. No moving parts.

 

[garylinger]

I have been looking at the (new) Tacktick T033 but wanted opinions about it and/or other manufacturers and also what any users think about the wireless. When I was at the Annapolis boat show in the fall, one dealer tried to persuade me that his wired unit was better than wireless because there is a time delay in the wireless units. It sounded like "salesman" talk to me but I don't know.

 

[Chuckbear]

Lots of installs we have done on Tacktic have had parts replaced shortly after installation. Most the masthead sensors, they seem to stop working. The company is good about replacing them but failure rates are too high in my opinion. In addition, some installations have had problems talking to each other due to various issues. The repeaters have to be wired in, so if you want one at the helm and one at the nav station, you will still need to run wiring. The solar issue is one I am not comfortable with since most are installed under the bimini. You can now wire them to the boats 12 volt system.

 

[sailingdog]

I've been using the TackTick T104 system for a while on my boat, which replaced a Raymarine ST60 setup that had a dead wind transducer. It's been great, and I'm glad I went with it. It doesn't have any more a delay than the wired gear does... the signals travel basically the same speed, but the installation and maintenance of the TackTick gear is much simpler.

One nice feature about the TackTick 033 wind instrument (which is part of the T104 setup), is that the display can be toggled from a standard wind instrument to one that is for closehauled use and measures ±60˚ instead of the full 360˚. On wired systems, you usually have to buy a separate display to do this.

 

[Franklin]

I have been looking at the (new) Tacktick T033 but wanted opinions about it and/or other manufacturers and also what any users think about the wireless. When I was at the Annapolis boat show in the fall, one dealer tried to persuade me that his wired unit was better than wireless because there is a time delay in the wireless units. It sounded like "salesman" talk to me but I don't know.

My wired autohelm has about a 2 second delay.

 

[tommays]

They all have dampening built in or you would never be able to read the displays

 

[sailr4]

Can anyone enlighten me as to the major difference between the Tacktick T031 wind display (MN 30) and the T112 display (MN 100-2)? There's about $500 difference in cost, so Im sure the latter is higher tech, but is it worth the $500?

 

[druid]

I use a wet finger and a masthead windvane.

druid

 

[Gary_H]

You beat me to it Druid, I do the same thing. my masthead unit quit working, I still get apparent direction but no speed. I have a handheld unit but mostly I just say "dang the wind sure is blowing hard!" I'd like a new unit but I be poor