What Wind Instrument?

[challis0124]

I have spent several hours perusing the internet for information and reviews around current wind speed and direction instruments on the market. The last forum I could dig up was in 2009 - 2010. I'm guessing things have changed a bit since then?

My question is more general - I want to know what the sailing community thinks about various wind speed and direction instruments on the market. I have a Standard Horizon WS100 that is no longer functional. I live on my IP-31 sailboat and plan to cruise to the Caribbean and Europe over the next few years, so it is important that the instrument has some longevity.

I don't necessarily need all the bells and whistles of fancy systems, but I have come across multiple different makes including Garmin, Raymarine, Maretron Ultrasonic, Navico and B&E systems. Wireless & Analog-vs-Digital debates.

I'm a fan of simple, analog over digital (though that isn't a deal-breaker). I like the idea of a wireless system but I'm not sure the cost is worth it, plus I've heard varying degrees of issues with these. Perhaps that technology has improved since the last reviews but it has been hard to find. A wired-setup is also intriguing, other than installation hassle, but again, I'm more interested in value and quality and what sailors are finding with their experiences.

Any thoughts would be most welcome and helpful.


s/v Bosco
Jake & Jill Adventures | Two Souls, One Voyage

[Sandero]

My only experience is with the B&G Hornet AWI. The good news is that it has worked for 30 continuous years with only a few off duty in winter storage. That in itself is remarkable.. and 3 hurricanes to boot.

It did stop reporting for a while but that was because the connector needed to be cleaned of some corrosion and lubricated. Now its fine and quite sensitive and accurate.

It reports digital direction and speed and I have an analog direction for apparent wind... and with speed it and angle it computes true wind when moving.

I suspect wireless is the way to go as wires are on the way out anyway.

two thumbs up for the old B&G AWI.

[travellerw]

I recently installed this system on my boat and have been happy. I don't think there is a better value as you get not only Wind but depth, speed, GPS and temp. When I looked into wind only, they were %75-%90 the price of this system.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp...820&id=2680191

[Sandero]

That... is a great package!

[colemj]

Originally Posted by travellerw

I recently installed this system on my boat and have been happy. I don't think there is a better value as you get not only Wind but depth, speed, GPS and temp. When I looked into wind only, they were %75-%90 the price of this system.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp...820&id=2680191

It is a somewhat hidden feature, but the GPS in that package also contains a rate compass - so you get heading too.

Mark

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by colemj

It is a somewhat hidden feature, but the GPS in that package also contains a rate compass - so you get heading too.

Mark

Really! I had no idea. I thought my heading data was coming from my fluxgate compass through NMEA0183.

[model 10]

Our Raymarine ST-60 only lasted 5 years and no sign of lightning either. If I recall it was like $900.

[colemj]

Well, it still could be. It would depend on which heading source you have chosen in the source setup.

BTW, while that GPS does have a rate compass in it, the data rate is not fast enough to use for ARPA radar, and is probably marginal for good autopilot performance. For those, you should be using a better one.

But it is a good backup compass, or primary on a boat without ARPA, and basically thrown in for free.

Mark