5.3. During the race
Using the compass mode
In compass mode, the mode indicator shows “Compass” at the top of
the display and your Micro Compass displays the magnetic heading
1
.
You can use this precision heading reference to site marks, to
check the line bias, or to detect wind shifts (although Tactics mode
is recommended for detecting wind shifts).
Reading wind shifts whilst beating upwind
Make sure the Micro Compass is in Tactics mode. On port tack look at
the port display, and on starboard tack look at the starboard display.
If the wind shifts, then you will see the displayed number change
accordingly.
When on starboard, if the number gets smaller then you should tack
(tack on -). When on port, if the number gets bigger then you should
tack (tack on +).
Elapsed time
Elapsed time can be accessed during the race by pressing the
mode
key until you see the Timer mode indicator at the top of the display.
5.4. The battery status
The battery status is shown for 5 seconds after the Micro Compass
is switched on, or once every 4 minutes if the battery falls below 20
hours of charge remaining. The number indicates the hours remaining
assuming the sun does not shine at all, and from a full charge this
will be 200 hours. If the battery life is less than 50 hours, you should
place your Micro Compass in BRIGHT sunshine for 2 days, with the
solar cell facing directly the mid-day sun. Note that if the sun is
hidden by thin cloud the effective charging time will be weeks rather
than days and that under thick cloud the unit will not charge at all. Do
not worry if the unit turns itself on during charging, STRONG sunshine
charges the unit rapidly, even when its operating.
8
1
There is no compensation for magnetic deviation, so do not site your
Micro Compass near a conventional compass which is magnetic.
Micro Compass U/Guide MASTER 8/2/01 11:59 am Page 9
