John:

I do not have the compass on there but I do have the Velocitek with the VMG model.

I was out sailing so much without other boats to pace with and I liked the concept. This way I can go out and at least get the feel of what the boat angles should be for best direction upwind and downwind. I think it has helped me to know the feel of the boat in many wind conditions. I have not yet raced with the device on the boat. The time that I was going to try it the batteries were dead and I had no extras. I have talked to the designer to try and get one with a readout on both sides so it can be mounted on the boom making it is easier to read and use, but I have not heard back about that project. I do not like to mount it on the spinnaker pole for a couple of reasons. One you have to hit the buttons to set it and if it is way out at the bridles it is a task. The other is that you could wrap a line on it and then....

I have designed and not yet built a mount that would automatically swivel the readout to the new tack. I may be looking at the more closely soon.

I would recommend this device if you are in the position of practicing without others to pace against. I have only used and only care about VMG for practice. Never used the straight line speed function. Do not have the Compass version. May or may not get a Tacktick.

Later,
Dan