The Shift from Velocitek - new in at allspars

by Jen Wilkinson, allspars 4 Nov 2013 08:59 GMT 4 November 2013

allspars are proud to announce the launch of the Shift a great new product from Velocitek, using a 9-axis solid-state sensor to track the orientation of your boat in three dimensions, the Shift's compass incredibly accurate, smooth, and trustworthy.

Featuring the same countdown timer as the Velocitek ProStart, whenever you hear a horn or see the flag, hit the GUN button. If the timer isn't running, it will start. If the timer is running, it will sync to the next minute, and you can easily alter the minute up or down.

Planning to use the Shift for an overnight race? The Shift's red LED-backlight won't ruin your night vision, and its solar-charged battery is good for over 60 hours of sailing in the dark. The Shift uses NO GPS TECHNOLOGY and can be configured to comply with the rules of any class that allows electronic compasses.

Recommended by the best

"It was very simple to go upwind before the start and hit the set button for Port or Starboard tack and once the race started I immediately knew whether I was headed or lifted. The Shift didn't make me think too much and it allowed me to focus my efforts elsewhere." - Anthony Kotoun, Melges 32 World Champion, Moth North American Champion, Former J/24 World Champion

Flavio Favini agreed after coming in second at the Melges 24 World Championship using the new Shift. "It's easy to remember your offset number to see if you're higher or lower and the arrows are good."

The world's best big-boat tacticians can mentally calculate changes in wind direction from compass readings in milliseconds. For the rest of us, remembering and analysing those numbers can be a huge distraction from the business of racing; sail trim, strategy, manoeuvres, and boat speed.

How It Works

The Shift makes those tactical calculations simple, freeing up mental bandwidth for the more complicated business of making a boat go fast. How does it do it?

1. Remembering port and starboard reference angles with the push of a button.
2. Figuring out the difference between your current heading and the reference angle for the tack you're on.
3. Clearly displaying the result as a lift or a header. No more mental math. No more writing angles on duct tape stuck to the deck, the back of your hand, or a wrinkled wet notes pad. Shift does it all.

Key Features:

• Heading Repeatability: ±0.5°
• Display Update Rate: 4Hz (four times a second)
• Water Resistance: Complete immersion for 30 min. at 3m / 10ft (IPX-8)
• Display: 38mm / 1.5" digit height 120° viewing cone
• Battery: 900mAh Lithium Polymer, 100 hr endurance (60 hr with backlight)
• Solar Panel: 120 x 27 mm (4.7 x 1") polycrystalline silicon
• Dimensions: 158mm x 100mm x 47mm / 6.2" x 3.9" x 1.9"
• Weight: 417g / 0.92lb

Box Contents:

• Velocitek Shift
• Mounting cradle
• Two Velocitek stickers
• Quick Start Guide
• Static-Cling Legalizer Label
• Nylon storage case

For further information or to talk to allspars about any of our products, please come and visit the allspars stand (E121) at the London Boat Show (January 4th-12th). The Shift is available at major marine outfitters and online at www.allspars.co.uk.