Watch recommendations
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13833
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 12:47am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Watch recommendations
Posted By: Presuming Ed
Subject: Watch recommendations
Date Posted: 08 Sep 21 at 3:27pm
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So, I've had about 2 Optimum Time's die on me, and one Gill race watch. Buttons gave up the ghost. I'm now after yet another watch, but would prefer something with a bit of longevity. What else is there out there that has a sync button? Anybody with any experience of Ronstan? |
Replies:
Posted By: ClubRacer
Date Posted: 08 Sep 21 at 6:33pm
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Damn what are people doing to their optimum watches? I'm on my second in the last 15 years and only because the first had been stolen. How long did yours last and what caused them to fail?
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 08 Sep 21 at 6:46pm
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Die?
Do you mean the battery's run out? Send it back they return it by return, best product service in the whole of dinghydom in my experience. They are the lone island of excellent customer service in an Ocean of pathetic dross. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: Brass
Date Posted: 09 Sep 21 at 12:10am
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I've been through 4 or 5 of the big Optimum rechargeables. Shop replaced them each time, until we got sick of it. I'm now using one of the Gill black and red ones which hasn't given any trouble to date.
It's not as if I'm using them to hammer nails. I'm just using them when racing or on race committee. Maybe the Optimums didn't like having the countdown count up running for long periods. |
Posted By: Mongoose
Date Posted: 10 Sep 21 at 10:38am
| I've been through three of the series 2 watches and the plastic case failed where the strap is attached in every example. Their customer support was good and provided replacements without quibble, but there did seem to be an issue with the design so I just gave up on them. I reverted to a Timex Iron-man, now 5 years old and still working well |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 10 Sep 21 at 2:20pm
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You'd have thought somebody would have come up with an App for the applewatch that didn't time out at the ten seconds to go point. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 10 Sep 21 at 3:03pm
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I have had my Optimum over ten years, same battery, only issue is vapour inside lens when it gets immersed in winter freezing cold water brrr, when it's owner falls in, but dries out when left in the window. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: Presuming Ed
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 6:49am
| The start / stop button on the Optimum stopped working, as did the start button on the Gill |
Posted By: Sussex Lad
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 9:57am
Second that. I can wear it anywhere, it does all that I need and it doesn't cost much if I lose it. It also seems to be infinitely more reliable than the Optimum jobbies. OK, it has no fashion value but hey ho.
I assume you sail in fresh water, I doubt it would be OK with salt water inside it.....I wonder, are the ones that fail used in salty water? |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 1:48pm
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The misting is not necessarily due to leakage but could be moisture already inside the case condensing on the 'glass'? Salt water inside would definitely not do the watch any favours... ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 4:10pm
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Only used in fresh water.
Could be water trapped inside, freezing water cooling the glass causing it to condense on inside of case. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: john80
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 4:49pm
| Decathlon geonaute watches are pretty good with decent size countdown numbers for £12 or there abouts. |
Posted By: Presuming Ed
Date Posted: 11 Sep 21 at 7:08pm
| I do like sync function. Is there anything else about with that, other than Optimum Time/Gill/Ronstan? |
Posted By: deadrock
Date Posted: 14 Sep 21 at 11:37am
| Would really like it if Ronstan sold replacement sealing rings for their timers. |
Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 14 Sep 21 at 1:40pm
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I just use a cheapish Casio that does countdown. I can sync by getting close the next signal, stopping the countdown, re-setting it and going again at the right time. Takes about 2 seconds. Ain't worth me spending another £60-£70 for that function on a Ronstan one. I'd still be rubbish at starting. ------------- Everything I say is my opinion, honest |
Posted By: davidyacht
Date Posted: 14 Sep 21 at 6:57pm
Might be better with a timer on the boat, allows you to be heads up for the start. I use a swatch with a sweep hand so I can more easily estimate how far down the line I might go in a given time, and an electronic compass/timer. I had previously had three Optimum Time timers, all three packed up because the buttons jammed. All were replaced under warranty, but comes a time that reliability becomes more important. I purchased the Swatch as a distressed purchase while at Garda when an Optimum time packed up. ------------- Happily living in the past |
Posted By: Jon Meadowcroft
Date Posted: 14 Sep 21 at 7:49pm
| Old school technique before sync was invented. Set your watch to 4.55. Hear five minute signal count to 5 and press button. Not a Casio feature itself but works well with a cheap Casio. |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 14 Sep 21 at 9:19pm
------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 15 Sep 21 at 6:43am
Obviously still has an effect on you, however many years later it is. It was worth it  ------------- Everything I say is my opinion, honest |
Posted By: Grumpycat
Date Posted: 15 Sep 21 at 10:38am
Grf = innocent. Pull the other one 
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Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 15 Sep 21 at 4:29pm
Exactly....some of the kids starting out at my club have better control of a boat than he did back then  ------------- Everything I say is my opinion, honest |
Posted By: crosby mafia
Date Posted: 17 Sep 21 at 11:14am
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Ive had a number of the OT watches, from normal sized to the big yellow ones. Got sick of sending them back when the gave up. I've had a Ronstan Clear start for 3 or 4 years now. Not a problem with it, really happy. Only issue was the strap end keeper broke, rang Ronstan UK up and new ones came out to me in the next post I CANNOT FAULT RONSTAN, GREAT PRODUCT. ------------- Better a crap day in Abersoch than any day at work. |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 17 Sep 21 at 11:51am
Then do they know about the oldest trick in the book, feigning lack of control to blunder into the pin end? ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |