Another electronic goodie to discuss:



Have any of you had experience with the TackTick Micro compass? If so, what are the pro's and con's? Where is it best to mount it on a boat without spin? Is the display legible from the back of the boat on the wire? Etc?

Kevin,



The micro was a result of the input of several small boat and catamaran sailor's input (particularly Goran Marstrom). The angle of the display screens is 90 degrees and works better with cats than the previous models. Hope this helps.



I know Marstrom custom makes carbon fiber mounts for A-Cat front beams, however I sure they are pricey. My brother Tracy made and aluminum beam braket and his works great.



W.F.

Out on the spin pole seems like it will stay out of the way of the sheets, etc. Without a pole I'm trying to figure out the best way to keep it out of the way. I was thinking of making a mount that tucks in right behind the mast step on the main beam.



Is the display large enough to be easily read from ten or twelve feet away?

One of the downsides of the Micro Tack Tick is you can't use it at night for distance racing. They did not put a backlight in the Micro like the Racemaster, other wise it would be great for cats.

Well, I think I waited too long to decide on the Micro. Layline's prices for Tacktick compasses have gone through the roof for 2002. The Micro has gone from $275 to $350, a jump of 27%. The Race Master has gone from $595 to $695, and the Sail Master has jumped from $900 to $1,160. Kind of runs counter to the trend of other marine electronics. What gives?

FYI: Following up on an earlier thread, a few weeks ago, I received a Tacktick Micro compass from Mailspeed Marine in the UK. Total cost was $290 US, including all fees. That compares with $360 total cost (including shipping and no tax) if mail ordered here in the states. MailSpeed's service was excellent and I had the compass within a few days of placing the order.