Ronstan watches
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Banter
Forum Discription: For all those non-sailing related discussions
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4936
Printed Date: 16 Aug 25 at 3:23pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Ronstan watches
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Subject: Ronstan watches
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 12:52pm
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My Optimum time OS223 has just packed up... again... and I love Ronstan kit so was quite excited about being able to ask the other 'alf to buy a http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=144423 - Ronstan watch for crimbo. Then I noticed they are just re-badged Optimum Time watches. I love the functions and the look of Optimum Time watches but find them incredibly unreliable. I used to have the big yellow blokes but they gradually filled with condensation until unusable (went through 3 before giving up). The first OS223 kept resetting itself randomly and my latest goes through batteries every 3 months. Customer service at OT is great and they have always replaced watches FOC it's just really inconvenient. What other choices are there? I like the styling (wear it all the time), features (needs to be a proper race timer with 5,4,1,0 and sync) and price (anywhere from £30-120) of OT watches just want something more reliable. NOT Ironman or cheap market jobs, a nice looking watch that does the job. Any ideas? ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Replies:
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 12:59pm
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http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/product_short.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673959341&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723697223384 - http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/product_short.jsp?CONTENT% 3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673959341&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852 723697223384
I don't have one but if I wanted a watch to wear all the time this could be an option. ------------- |
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 1:08pm
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Yeah, I like it and was looking at the Regatta already but they don't seem to have a 5,4,1,0. I used to work for a dive company and the divers all swore by Suunto instruments. ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 4:28pm
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At that price I'd have to take out a mortgage on it!
Whats wrong with a good old Casio Sea Pathfinder for £25 |
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 4:54pm
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Seems good value but it looks like a Casio... which personally I don't like. 1 1, Casio Sea Pathfinder. 2, Suunto M3. 3, Suunto Regatta ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
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Posted By: deadrock
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 6:49pm
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I've had a Suunto M3 for about 2 years. It's super-reliable, and it even
looks good on the wrist, unusual for a digital. I gave up on Optimums after two failed me on the water: never again, ever. On the Suunto you can set an extra warning signal: I set mine up for 4 mins+10 secs, in case my mind wanders befpre the 'P'. The little numbers on the fancy bezel for checking line-bias quickly wear off, making that feature useless, but there are better ways of checking the line than looking at a dial anyway. The glass is crystal and super-tough, and a valuable bonus is that you can lock the countdown once it's started: who hasn't accidentally stopped/re-set their Casio with less than a minute to go? You will find that the Suunto can do a few things that aren't even in the manual. Essential for me was that it doesn't have a compass - see the UK Laser Assoc. website: the other Suuntos are illegal for just that reason. The beeps could be louder for a crowded start-line - too much white noise around - but otherwise it's a good buy. I bought a Sea Pathfinder as a backup in case the other one went AWOL in Spain. The Sea Pathfinder is for those who prefer to bury themselves in the pack; I'd do the same if I had to rely on one. |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 8:18pm
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On the subject of Watches, did you know the following are banned form Laser Class sailing: Casio Sea 1 Triple Sensor Gill Regatta Master Optimum Series 4, Series 5 Series 8 and Series 9 Optimum Series 3 Blue Origo Accusense Digital Compass Watch Suunto Mariner, Regatta and Yachtsman Reason - because they all contain electronic compass
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Posted By: pete_chinnock
Date Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 10:07pm
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RF4030 The one to get, easier to use than the big yellow, its blue and simple lay out... ------------- Pete RS700 702 |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 04 Dec 08 at 7:05am
£25? Try http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2516585/Trail/searchtext%3ECASIO+SEA+PATHFINDER.htm - £18 . I'm on my second, but that's because I managed to destroy the first with solvents... seen a fair few much better sailors than I using them. |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 05 Dec 08 at 10:02am
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I cant kill my Sea Pathfinder. Its now on its 3rd battery and the beeps dont work but other than that, 8yrs of service for £20ish is pretty good going.
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Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 05 Dec 08 at 1:13pm
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The beeps not working would be an issue for me - it'd be in the bin. ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 05 Dec 08 at 2:37pm
| I've got eyes, and with all my shouting I struggle to hear beeps anyway ! |