Post by jonathantwite on Mar 4, 2020 20:25:11 GMT
Class rule 14c states
My question is therefore whether the Velocitek SpeedPuck in "Heading Mode" can legally be used?
The SpeedPuck is an instrument that measures velocity via measuring how the boat's speed affects the GPS signals it receives. It uses this information to display one of three "screens" - current speed, current heading, or maximum speed. It has a "race operation" mode that limit's its display to the current heading screen, for use by classes that ban any electronics that are not a compass. It has a further "data logger" mode that hides all data from the display and purely logs data for downloading later.
Therefore, in my opinion, the SpeedPuck uses the GPS radio waves but is not a GPS device. It is not a positioning device. In race operation mode it is not a "velocity indicating devices which make the information available to the sailor whilst sailing". Also If the current heading screen is classified a compass, then it is an electronic compass (from what I remember from the debate bringing in this rule, I believe that the rule wording should be interpreted that Electronic compasses, and recording devices that are downloaded after the race are allowed, not that only electronic compasses that are downloaded after the race are allowed). I therefore think that the SpeedPuck would be allowed, if used purely on the heading screen, probably via the "race operation" mode.
Any opinions?
Why am I asking? I don't want to have to buy both a SpeedPuck (for practise and use on the N12) and a second compass to race the BM with.
(c) Global positioning systems (GPS) and other positioning or velocity indicating devices which make the information available to the sailor whilst sailing, are not allowed. Electronic compasses and recording devices that are
downloaded after the race are allowed.
downloaded after the race are allowed.
My question is therefore whether the Velocitek SpeedPuck in "Heading Mode" can legally be used?
The SpeedPuck is an instrument that measures velocity via measuring how the boat's speed affects the GPS signals it receives. It uses this information to display one of three "screens" - current speed, current heading, or maximum speed. It has a "race operation" mode that limit's its display to the current heading screen, for use by classes that ban any electronics that are not a compass. It has a further "data logger" mode that hides all data from the display and purely logs data for downloading later.
Therefore, in my opinion, the SpeedPuck uses the GPS radio waves but is not a GPS device. It is not a positioning device. In race operation mode it is not a "velocity indicating devices which make the information available to the sailor whilst sailing". Also If the current heading screen is classified a compass, then it is an electronic compass (from what I remember from the debate bringing in this rule, I believe that the rule wording should be interpreted that Electronic compasses, and recording devices that are downloaded after the race are allowed, not that only electronic compasses that are downloaded after the race are allowed). I therefore think that the SpeedPuck would be allowed, if used purely on the heading screen, probably via the "race operation" mode.
Any opinions?
Why am I asking? I don't want to have to buy both a SpeedPuck (for practise and use on the N12) and a second compass to race the BM with.
