Hatul
Contributor
The watch is so you won't be late for lunch.
Navigation Board - homemade
- Thread starter vjb.knife
- Start date
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vjb.knife1
Contributor
Actually a watch with a stopwatch or lap function is nice to have to track your kick rate once you have established a distance per kick number. And then you can gat an approximate range or even calculate in a current speed and vector to get you that much closer to an accurate range. And of course you don't want to miss happy hour at the Tiki Bar that you have set a course for. What? That's what I use mine for.
M-Cameron
Contributor
finally got it all buttoned up!
i am VERY happy with how it came out....diving it tomorrow, will report back soon!
i could certainly fab one up for you.....you are making your board out of 1/2" thick material correct?
i am VERY happy with how it came out....diving it tomorrow, will report back soon!
i could certainly fab one up for you.....you are making your board out of 1/2" thick material correct?
vjb.knife1
Contributor
Yes 1/2" marine starboard. If you can I will be happy to pay you for what you think is a good price and don't forget shipping. How do you like the ergo's? Is it a good fit in the hand? I was thinking of scaling it up slightly. I like the lanyard holes at the bottom. It looks very professional; at least as good as the original if not better.
M-Cameron
Contributor
So I got a chance to dive it today and I love the thing!
Turned out to be pretty darn useful as we were dealing with no lie 2 feet of vis. And I was able to navigate perfectly
Regarding the size, I initially thought it was kinda small myself....however since getting some dives on it in really like the size.....its not bulky and in the way, and it allows for an easy 1 hand grip.....but allows for a 2 hand grip without feeling awkward or cramped.....I don't think scaling it up slightly would be any detriment...I would make a cardboard template and adjust the size to whatever is comfy.
I also like the lanyard holes, they were a last minute addition....I think on subsequent models I will open up the holes slightly so they will fit a bolt snap or carbiner......but they fit most standard retractors and para cord easily.
Regarding the cover....shoot me a pm and we can talk specifics....ill have to check the print cost again, but I think it'll probably be on the order of $40-50 +shipping
Ryan Neely
Contributor
This might be a silly question (because, you know, the answer is sort of in the title), but ... what is the purpose of a nav board like this versus just using a compass?
vjb.knife1
Contributor
Accuracy, plain and simple. The board is far easier to keep on course. It just depends on what you want it for. For most recreational diving you barely need a compass anyway.
M-Cameron
Contributor
So at the end of the day, a nav board is really nothing more than a compass mounted to a cutting board.
But its kind of like the difference between watching a movie on your phone vs a 50" TV.
The fidelity on the boat compass is a lot finer than on a wrist compass...and something in wasn't initially expecting was the fluid seems a lot less viscous, so it updates quicker than a wrist compass.
If I'm doing a dive with 50'+ of vis.... Eh its not really necessary......but in murky or turbid waters with <15' of vis......well its actually kinda handy
it doesn't do anything a wrist compass doesn't do....its just does it better
TuckerIdaho
Contributor
Its meant to dampen pitch roll and yaw more than rotation.
One reason for better is it makes holding the compass in a good nav position (level, in front, centered) easier and more natural.
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