Just received word that SailTimer have a forthcoming update to their Wind Instrument and are offering a Pre-Holiday sale price of $349.99 (regularly $449.99).
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3b35304600fdfa13455e1e6da&id=950b5b5009&e=5876621b89From SailTimer:
The new version for 2016 is available for ordering now has some impressive new features and improvements:
● The tail has been re-engineered to be amazingly thin and more aerodynamic, reducing the thickness of the solar panels by 40% and getting the thickness on the rest of the trailing edge down to just 3.5 mm (0.138").
● New submersible off-switch for storage, with an LED light to indicate when it turns on.
● Arrives with battery charged and ready to use.
● Tail is 3/4” (19 mm) taller for more sensitive wind direction in very light winds.
● More precise digital compass.
● Main electronics and battery moved to the leading edge of the tail, to create more of an airfoil shape with a fine trailing edge.
● New black & white design. White circuit board and battery in the new version reflects sunlight and minimizes heat better than the previous dark colors. (The photo above shows a prototype with the previous colors.) The wind cups in the new version are black for better UV resistance.
● Improved antenna arrangement to give longer transmission distances for tall masts and keel boats.
● Advanced encapsulation technology on tail reduces weight with very thin, smooth surface.
The new power management features will be a particular benefit for those kayak sailors that aren't able to keep the device charging in the sun between outings.
Also, I've learned that SailTimer is about to announce new capabilities enabling the use of the Wind Instrument as a “connected device”, for real-time wind maps. This would mean that multiple nearby Wind Instruments feeding data to the SailTimer app could create a much more granular picture of wind conditions than is currently available to most of us.
Haven't had much time or the conditions to compel me to sail recently. Will post back with any new information or experiences with the device.