I just got this watch last week and have not had a chance to sail with it yet. I have walked with the
GPS on and have had my walk calculated and it seemed to work great. I can't wait to get on the water with it, unfortunately I race more one designs than PHRF so I will probably not get to really use it until Larchmont Race Week.
It does take some time to learn how to use it but with practice I should be able to start laying courses.
They do sell ARCS charts software for $150 for 10 charts, Unless one uses them commercially I think it's a rip off, if you divide 150 by 10, I guess it's not a bad deal but why would I need 10 charts.
The problems I have with this instrument is
1.) the duration of battery power
A.) I had the
GPS on for about 2-2.5 hours the other day and it looked like it was going to run out of power, there was one bar left.
2.) It takes a while for it to receive a signal
A.) it's taken about 7-8 mins to get a signal everytime I've turned the
GPS on.
3.) But my biggest problem...
A.) I had my hands full the other day walking through the hallway in my apartment when my wrist touched the threshold molding in the doorway. All of a sudden something went flying off my watch. I could not believe it, after waiting over a year for it, not to mention the cost, I find out the top covering, the cool looking part with all the lines, is made of PLASTIC which broke right off. I am soooooo pist off, why wouldn't they make it out of aluminum or titanium or some other metal what a rip off.
I hope that answered your questions.
Regards,
Jacques
