Laser tactical compass question: 103RE vs CarbonParts

I have used a compass for my Laser, but since I haven't used so-called a tactical compass, I do not understood how it works. The two compasses I am considering are:
• (a) Nexus 103RE: Nexus 103RE Racing Compass
• (b) CarbonParts: The CarbonParts Laser Compass | CarbonParts

First question about 103RE: it is said that “with 103RE you only need to remember one number whether port or starboard”: green scale from starboard side and red from port side - both are supposed to show the same number. How does this work? It looks that the green number is +80 degree of red one, and the two markers are 80 degree apart. So green number and red number are the same, if the boat is stopping. But what we want is the green number while sailing starboard tack in closed hold and the red number while sailing port tack in close hold to be the same?

Second question about CarbonParts compass: The compass itself is from Plastimo (Tactical compasses - Compasses - Compasses, Electronics & Navigation | Plastimo), which divides the 360 degree into 4 colored segments, each of which has 0 - 5 numbering. CabonParts’ web site says “This makes remembering a particular number much easier and works regardless of what tack you are on.” Again, how this works? Since each region is 90 degree apart and the markers seems also 90 degree apart, at any moment, they will show the same number in different segments. But the reading while actually sailing starboard tack and port tack will be completely different, won’t it?

The third question is about recommendation: It looks that 103RE have been very popular for Laser sailer, but watching the recent world cup event in YouTube, I seem to see more sailers are using CarbonParts, if I am correct. The example video is
, women’s radial race from 4:25:00. Does someone have actual experience of this compass? It looks like a good-looking lightweight compass that will be also handy to carry, but is this practically useful?

Thank you very much in advance,
Toshi
 
Thank you very much, Strangler. I draw the pictures (attached) and found that all they can do will be to get a same compass reading from both starboard side marker and port side marker at a moment. "There is one compass reading which can be used for both starboard tack and port tack" was simply my misunderstanding and illusion. So this "tactical" feature does not seem to provide much benefit to me.
 

Attachments

  • tactical_compass_analysis.pdf
    17 KB · Views: 94
Yes, it looks like it doesn't, which is strange because it used to have a pretty cool 0 to 20 scale that, for example, showed 4 on one tack if it showed 14 on the other. Worked nicely on my 505 a long time ago. The CarbonParts seems to have a similar system but it's divided differently, and should really read the same on both tacks. Looks neat and light, and would be my choice if I wanted a compass on the Laser.
 
Thanks, LaLi. Your comment shed another light for me. If 360 degree is divided in to "20" scale, it means "1" scale is 18 degree. So "10" means 180 degree. Since the port tack reading should be larger than starboard tack reading by 2 * ([closed hold angle] + [compass marker offset from center line]), if the [closed hold angle] and [compass marker offset from center line] are both 45 degree, this becomes 2 * (45 + 45) = 180 degree = "10" scale. Also since the CarbonParts compass repeats the same tactical scale reading (0-5) in every 90 degree, this would also provide the same number between port tack and starboard tack.

This seems make sense, but this will be only applicable for the boats whose closed hold angle is 45 degree against the wind. In laser, I measure the angle is about 35 degree, so this may not applicable for laser.
 
... this will be only applicable for the boats whose closed hold angle is 45 degree against the wind. In laser, I measure the angle is about 35 degree, so this may not applicable for laser.
I don't think a Laser points that well, but even if it did, having the lubber lines at a 110° angle (instead of 90°) should compensate for that. As the CarbonParts is specifically designed for the Laser, I would expect they've figured out all this.
 
Point for discussion:

Great video (Hyeres 2015 radial medal race); I doubt that the ladies were using their compasses under those conditions. White caps all over (15+ knots?) and waves of about 1 m. Upwind it's mostly about keeping the boat flat while getting over those waves nicely and downwind they are all S-curving.


PS: With respect to the compass issue; what really matters is whether you can read the numbers when you are hiking!
 
Last edited:
When making your decision keep in mind that the Silva/Nexus 103 compass has been around for over 20 years. The one I use belonged to a buddy, he sailed with it in High School, 1987-1992.

The Other model you mentioned looks very very nice but has only been around since 2014, as per their website, which may seem why they are not as hugely popular. The great side is they are using a very proven company for the compass portion. The same Plastimo I have a s a spare and that I used in the 1990 Radial worlds in NEWPORT.

Rooster has an excellent article on compass sailing, and No the numbers will not equal on port and starboard tacks.

Good luck
 
Rooster has an excellent article on compass sailing ...
Could you please give the link? Can't find much here: You searched for compass - Rooster blog

No the numbers will not equal on port and starboard tacks.
Do you mean the small variation between different conditions? Because this is what they say themselves (emphasis mine): We have a tactical scale that is sectored into four different coloured sections with numbers ranging from 0-5. This makes remembering a particular number much easier and works regardless of what tack you are on.

The CarbonParts Laser Compass | CarbonParts
 
I had the nexus 103 which read 1-20 prior to the carbon parts compass and I would never go back. Even though the numbers are smaller on the carbon parts compass, I still find the colour cards help me get my positon nicely on the compass even in windy and wavy conditions. It is slightly slower to respond to movements but not usually a problem when on one tack for more than a few seconds. I really like dealing with shifts ranging from 3-5 instead of remembering on the 103 that 7 on one tack makes 17 on the other. I never tried the 103RE but I find those small numbers no more readable than the carbon parts version. Like someone mentioned in good height conditions (14 knots flat water lets say) the tacking angles become less than 90 so you need to 'discount' the values on each tack - I usually make the difference between both sides 0.5. Ie on starboard I read 2 but on port I would expect 1.5 with no wind shift.

The numbers also increase as you clock through the breeze (turn right) which I find more intuitive than the 103 in which the numbers would decline.

I can't remember the exact weights but I think the carbon parts version is 1/2 the weight. It also stays well out of the way of your lines and I have worked out a good daggerboard bungee system which avoids the compass as well.
 
I do believe the Tactical compass cards, like the Plastimo tactical, should read the same number tack to tack. There are actually 6 units on each quadrant, 15deg. per unit.
So if you are tacking through 90 deg.s you should hit the same number on each tack...

I've been looking at the Plastimo Iris 100 tactical. Anyone tried this unit? My main concern is that it's small and might be hard to read, and the card would excessively bounce around
in rougher conditions.

PLA31257_500x225.jpg
 
I do believe the Tactical compass cards, like the Plastimo tactical, should read the same number tack to tack. There are actually 6 units on each quadrant, 15deg. per unit.
So if you are tacking through 90 deg.s you should hit the same number on each tack...

I've been looking at the Plastimo Iris 100 tactical. Anyone tried this unit? My main concern is that it's small and might be hard to read, and the card would excessively bounce around
in rougher conditions.

PLA31257_500x225.jpg
Thats the same card used in the Carbon Parts compass so my review follows for this one as well. It does take a little sharper eyes than the larger compasses would require. Still, I was surprised on how readable it was. 5 degree shifts are harder to notice but generally the simplicity of the numbers (only 1-5) allow for less clutter. For what it's worth 90% of the world's top Laser sailors use this compass card.
 
Thanks Toshi for kicking off this thread. Would be interesting to know the following:

1) Which compass (if any) did you go with?
2) Are you happy with it?
3) What compass was most popular at the recent Masters Worlds in Mexico?
4) How to mount the compass to the deck? It's unclear from looking at this page: https://www.kosailing.com/hardware-laser-parts-cpcompass.html ...
I'm looking for a way to mount the compass on a charter boat without drilling or gluing anything to the deck.
 
Hi Al, following is my reply:

Thanks Toshi for kicking off this thread. Would be interesting to know the following:

1) Which compass (if any) did you go with?

I bought Nexus 103RE

2) Are you happy with it?

Yes, I am happy with it :)

3) What compass was most popular at the recent Masters Worlds in Mexico?

I saw many Nexus 103RE. I do not remember if I saw CarbonParts compass.

4) How to mount the compass to the deck? It's unclear from looking at this page: carbon parts compass laser compass ...
I'm looking for a way to mount the compass on a charter boat without drilling or gluing anything to the deck.

103RE can be mounted by "Spider Deck Bracket," which West Coast Sailing carries: Nexus 103RE Racing Compass - Laser Spider Bracket

When I contacted to CarbonParts, they said, "The compass is designed to mount it with a velcro to the deck, so it's no problem to detach it. The velcro and some spare velcro comes with the compass." I think that the compass is light enough to be mounted with velcro with no problem.
 

Back
Top