Conference unifix::sailing

    
    I've heard much better sailors than me say that the binoculars with
    the integral compass are a crok (sp?), but I have a pair & am pleased
    with them, the major drawback is that you need a separate deviation
    chart for the binoculars, and you should verify that the compass
    swings freely.
    
    One advantage is that there are less toys to manage, which is important
    if you're single handing or are on a small boat; a second is that
    they usually have a vertical reticle inside which allow you to
    calculate the distance to an object of known height...  this together
    with the bearing shown on the compass yeilds a fix with a single
    object...  combining this with depth sounder data for corroboration
    and you can usually get a pretty good fix even if only one good
    mark is visible!
    
       - Jim
    

    I own a SUUNTO and it's the best h/h I've ever used - the only mistake
    I made was in not getting the one with the built-in nite-lite! Ah
    well....

    I second the recommendation on the Suunto.  Fits in your pocket
    while hanging off a neck lanyard.  More convenient than the hockey
    puck or the pistol grip ones.  Can be used on land when hiking.
    Mine's kept me from getting lost in my car more than once.  There
    are two versions, the cheap plastic one and the high class metal
    one.  I've had my cheap plastic one for eight years.
    
    - gene ho

    Thanks for the info, guys. Any suggestions on where I can see/buy
    a Suunto? My catalogues only show Weems/Plath, davis and Ritchie.
    
    		Thanks again,
    
    		Joe

    I was thinking of binoculars with a compass too. What are the
    disadvantages over the hand held compass?
    
    Does any one know of binoculars that have a distance finder based
    on focus like the ones on cameras? And how accurate would it be?

    Practical Sailor did a pretty good write up on this subject 
    awhile back. I will check in my "library" tonight for their
    findings.
    
    JC
    

	Even though I am the happy user of a Suunto (plastic), I'd think that
	the Autohelm electric (fluxgate) bearing compass would be the ultimate
	in ease of use and precise reading as there is no settling time and
	no parallax error.

	It's new, I think it was introed for this season, does anybody know
	about it?

	H�kan    

    I was given an Autohelm Fluxgate compass just as we disappeared off
    for the annual summer cruise. It is far better than my ordinary
    compass for a variety of reasons , summarised thus :
                                                    
    - I tend to be more accurate on any bearings.   
                                                    
    - With the 9 memory function, it is easy for the watch keeper to
    check relative bearings on commercial traffic and use the memory
    for quick cross checking. (Useful towards the end of long passages
    and at night when the mind is somewhat slower than usual...)
                                                          
    - Far easier to take a running fix, it has a timer as well....
                                                          
    - With the accuracy and memory, it makes taking fixes at anchor
    very easy.                                            
                                                          
    I still carry my MiniCompass 2000 handbearing because the day I don't
    is the day the batteries in the Autohelm will run down. As a note
    on the manufacturers, I have had an Autohelm 1000 tiller pilot for
    a couple of seasons now and I am very impresed with the quality
    hence I suspect my birthday present of the Handbearing compass.
                                          
    Pete.                                 
                                          
                          

    I checked through my 87-88 issues of Practical Sailor for
    articles on hand bearing compasses or binoculars with internal
    compasses/range finders. No luck. I do have some older issues (85-86)
    in storage in the attic, and can look. But, with product changes
    and new entrants to the market, probably not worth while.
    
    JC
    

    Joe-	Eastern Mountain Sports at the Dorset Street Mall in
                this area-  Ought to cost all of $3 on sale...
    
    		J

    I recall Suunto's being carried by the major outdoor stores like
    REI and EMS.  I bought mine at an Eddie Bauer's a while back.  Suunto
    makes many different models some of which are unsuitable for nautical
    use.  Prices for the handbearing models were around $17 for the
    plastic and $60 for the metal.  This is as of a few years ago.  
    
    - gene ho

    I've used a Ritchie for eight years with good results.  It's a little
    bulky compared to the hocky puck types.  With the card lock feature,
    you remember your first bearing, then lock the card after the second.
    Assuming that your memory lasts through the dive to the nav station,
    you have the two to plot.  I added an over-the-top set of sights
    that help at night when you're looking at things that arn't well
    defined.  The non-magnetic battery costs a fortune, but lasts a few
    years if you remove it for the off season.  I'd buy another.
                                            

    Over the years I have acquired the "hockey puck", my Fujion with
    the compass, and this year the Autohelm.  I second the comment earlier
    that the Autohelm is easiest to use and gives the smallest triangle.
     Just remember to keep it level when you take the bearing.  The
    compass in the Fujion is difficult to get a good reading in any
    but the calmest of seas due to damping.  The hockey puck is good,
    but in a good blow with the "square waves" we sometimes get in the
    Chesapeake, it too can be difficult to stabilize.
    

    A reivew of several compasses follows:
    
    I have a "hockey puck" that had to be replaced after about a year
    since a bubble formed so large that you could not use it especially
    when looking down on the card from above. (The warrenty on the compass
    is forever but the lighting is limited I believe.)    Being able
    to both sight and look down on the card is a feature I like.
    
    I also have two silva compasses.
    
    The pocket bearing compass has both forward and reciprocal bearings on the 
    card.  The case protects the compass very well.  It's like holding a 
    pakage of cigarttes on the side and pulling the two halves apart. You 
    look through the where the surgeon general put his warning.  you
    can not look down on the card. 
    
    The other compass looks like a tennis ball on the end of a short 
    broomstick sized handle.  Since the card (ball) rolls freely you can 
    use it to sight on objects that are high (or low) above (or below) the 
    horizon, like stars and strom clouds, with out the card jamming. 
    It is supposed to float but I haven't tried out this feature.
    
    Both have radioactive lighting.
                         
    The binoculars made by Steiner have much better damping than those
    made by Fujion.  However the numbers seem to indicate the Fujion
    opitcs are better (a little brighter) than Steiner.
    
    I have ued the Weems Plath fancy boxed hand compass.  It seems to
    delicate to use on a small boat (like under 60').   An interesting
    feature is that the you can mount the wooden box at your navstation
    and turn the light on to read the card through a little window without
    opening the wooden box.
    
    Some of the orentieering compasses also include a clinclometer 
    (sp?) which is a little pendulem which permits measurement of vertical
    angles to within a degree (or less).
    
    
    

    My Hockey  Puck also formed a bubble and was replaced under the
    lifetime warranty.