July 23, 2012 15:49
The new SailTimer Wind Vane is solar-powered and wireless. That makes it easy to install, because there are no wires to run down the mast and through the boat. It also comes with U-bolts for easy mounting on a stern rail or stanchion until the masthead is accessible.
The vane sends wind information by radio signal to a small base unit, which converts the data to standard NMEA format for marine electronics. Â The base unit runs on AA batteries, and transmits the NMEA data to the iOS device by wifi. Â
This data is open, so it could be received on a computer running a chartplotter program, on an onboard multiplexer/router, or by a mobile app. Â For example, here are the set-up steps for using the iNavX app and MacENC with the SailTimer Wind Vane. There is also a new version of the SailTimer app that displays the wind speed and direction, but also uses them to continuously update the optimal tacks and Tacking Time to Destination as the wind changes.
Although the SailTimer Wind Vane may look like a simple device in a hi-res photo, it has some amazing engineering built in. Â It has moving parts and is waterproof (no mean feat), but the internal software also leads to some pretty intelligent behavior. Â The vane spends most of its time asleep. Â But it wakes itself up every 8 seconds to see if anything wants to talk to it. Â If a user is detected, the Wind Vane stays awake but transmits for just a few milliseconds each time to save power. Â The vane can actually run for about 65 days on a full battery charge. Â It can recharge 8 hours of sailing usage with 1 hour of direct sunlight. Â
The SailTimer Wind Vane has the unique ability to send data to an iPad or iPhone, is priced at US $588 online with next-day shipping, and comes with a 2-year guarantee.
The vane sends wind information by radio signal to a small base unit, which converts the data to standard NMEA format for marine electronics. Â The base unit runs on AA batteries, and transmits the NMEA data to the iOS device by wifi. Â
This data is open, so it could be received on a computer running a chartplotter program, on an onboard multiplexer/router, or by a mobile app. Â For example, here are the set-up steps for using the iNavX app and MacENC with the SailTimer Wind Vane. There is also a new version of the SailTimer app that displays the wind speed and direction, but also uses them to continuously update the optimal tacks and Tacking Time to Destination as the wind changes.
Although the SailTimer Wind Vane may look like a simple device in a hi-res photo, it has some amazing engineering built in. Â It has moving parts and is waterproof (no mean feat), but the internal software also leads to some pretty intelligent behavior. Â The vane spends most of its time asleep. Â But it wakes itself up every 8 seconds to see if anything wants to talk to it. Â If a user is detected, the Wind Vane stays awake but transmits for just a few milliseconds each time to save power. Â The vane can actually run for about 65 days on a full battery charge. Â It can recharge 8 hours of sailing usage with 1 hour of direct sunlight. Â
The SailTimer Wind Vane has the unique ability to send data to an iPad or iPhone, is priced at US $588 online with next-day shipping, and comes with a 2-year guarantee.