| Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: Berny]
#82459 08/14/06 07:21 AM 08/14/06 07:21 AM |
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... RickWhite
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... | There is nothing better than the Ronstan Clear Start. It is absolutely awesome. I have had nothing but great starts ever since I switched to it. First of all, the numbers are very large and very easy to see at a glance.., no having to focus on your watch when you should be focusing on the line, your opponents, windshifts, etc. Second, a great feature is the Sync Button. Suppose you are gulping down some water when the warning gun goes off. You quickly put the water down and hit the button. You know you are off, but by how much.., 4 seconds, 15 seconds? WHo knows? Not a problem. At the next signal, hit the Sync Button and you are right on the money. Third, you can set the watch to any number of sequences.., i.e., 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or whatever. However, I set my watch to 1 minute, then click on the button until it gets to the timing I want.., local races at 3 minutes and most regattas at 5 minutes. So, three clicks gets me 3 minutes, 5 clicks gets me 5 5 minutes Fourth, You can set it to keep repeating the sequence, i.e., after counting down from say 3 minutes it goes right back to 3 minutes and continues counting down. If you are RC and have multiple fleets this is a great feature. Or if you are the 3 fleet starting you can set your watch for an earlier fleet and not have to worry about getting the time for your start. Or you can set it to count down and then count the elapsed time for the event. You can see it at http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jnhqlsfrd8Rick | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: Chris9]
#82461 08/14/06 09:17 AM 08/14/06 09:17 AM |
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,382 Essex, UK Jalani
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veteran
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,382 Essex, UK | The Ronstan Clearstart is exactly the same as the Ultimate Sailing Timer (different colour). I have the Ultimate. As said before, it can easily come out of its holder - several colleagues have lost more than one overboard. I've wrapped insulating tape around the circumference of the holder and that has solved the problem. The beeper also fails if it gets particularly wet, but dry it out and it's fine again. The display is brilliant and the sync function is its best feature.
John Alani ___________ Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538 | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: Jalani]
#82464 08/14/06 10:15 AM 08/14/06 10:15 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | I had been using the Garmin foretrex (the wrist mounted GPS) - it has a great start timer with the sync-up and sync-down feature...it suffers from the same problem apparently as I've now lost two because the pins released it from the band.
Now we use a beam-mounted tac-tick compass for the countdown feature and keep a watch onboard as a backup.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: waterbug_wpb]
#82466 08/14/06 11:58 AM 08/14/06 11:58 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | Nah...it's the small "compass only" version although it does have a feature where you can train it the mean wind direction and it will use that as "zero" (instead of true north). That way you don't have to remember a ton of numbers and do math in yo head. It's still rediculously expensive though.
The timer can be set to any number of minutes and allows you to sync it to the nearest minute by pressing the set button again. It beeps too but if the wind is over 2mph, there's no way you are going to hear it.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: Ronstan Clearstart
[Re: Tom Korz]
#82467 08/14/06 12:46 PM 08/14/06 12:46 PM |
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... RickWhite
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... | Popping out of the wristband is the only problem I have had with them.., well, not me. Chip Short lost his this past winter. I have never had that problem.
I forgot to mention the sound during countdown.., probably because I can't hear those tones anyway. Senior moments. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
The big selling point for the watch is the large numbers. As most folks get older it becomes harder and harder to see small watches and numbers.., or maybe because our arms aren't long enough. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Rick | | | Re: Ronstan Clearstart
[Re: Tom Korz]
#82469 08/14/06 05:56 PM 08/14/06 05:56 PM |
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 502 Port Noarlunga, SA, Australia Darryn
addict
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addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 502 Port Noarlunga, SA, Australia | They are easy to read, BUT are not very durable. I have been through 2 of them in the last 4 years. Each having been replaced under warranty at least once.
I will not buy another one!!!! I have been through three of them in 4 years, each time water ingression, replaced under warranty each time even though the last one was 6 months out of warranty period. The units with the back piece held on with 8 screws are much better then the ones held on with 4 (which you probably wont find for sale anymore). Ronstan made the point when replacing the last one that they should not be hosed down when washing the boat after a sail or located on the boat in a "firehose" position as they dont like being hit by pressurised water. Also exercise care during battery replacement with the packing seal, it is difficult to seat properly. Ronstan Start Timer is the best I have used by far and Ronstan have been outstanding with the warranty issues, they even express post the replacement timer to my place. Darryn | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: sander]
#82471 08/15/06 08:17 AM 08/15/06 08:17 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | I wear it around my upper arm so it doesn't get in the way and get stuck behind things. I did that too and still lost two of them. I have the arm bands!
Jake Kohl | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: Jake]
#82472 08/15/06 11:22 AM 08/15/06 11:22 AM |
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 302 Raleigh/ Wrightsville Beach NC MarkW_F18
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 302 Raleigh/ Wrightsville Beach NC | I found a great watch at Walmart of all places for $20. It is a Casio... large display, easy to read.. I have mine set to do a 5 minute Countdown with the auto repeat option. It beaps at each minute, then beaps each second during the last 10 seconds. It is also 100 Meter water resistant and has a 10yr battery. I had a Casio before and loved it... they are almost indestructable. I did switch out the band with "The Band" velco strap. Here is more info: http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/Sports/W753/product/W753-1AV/content/Technical_Specs/Even if this is not your regular watch, it would pay to buy it as an extra and put in your ditty bag as a backup. | | | Re: Countdown Start Timers
[Re: MarkW_F18]
#82475 08/15/06 02:30 PM 08/15/06 02:30 PM |
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... RickWhite
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... | All of those Walmart watches are great if you have good vision. The point is that as you get older, you simply cannot see the numbers.
Walmart also has one for $9.97 that I bought that has big numbers, but when you use it as a countdown, the minutes remain large, but the seconds are small and I cannot read them. Walmart keeps these models on a rack a bit away from the normal watch area where they have the Casios, etc. Great watch for everyday, but I cannot use it for a starting watch.
I have never been happier than with a Ronstan. Rick | | |
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