NovaSail NS360 User manual
Operating Manual
NS360
Operating Manual2
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Controls and display description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
• Modes and sub-modes.................................................................5
Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
• Switching power on and off..........................................................6
• Switching backlight on and off......................................................7
• Switching modes and sub-modes ................................................7
• Speed mode.................................................................................8
• To reset the maximum speed.......................................................8
• To reset the trip distance..............................................................9
• Magnetic heading compass mode................................................9
• VMG mode.................................................................................10
• To set and adjust the wind direction...........................................10
• Wind shift indicator mode........................................................... 11
• Memorization of the tack lines.................................................... 11
• TIMER mode..............................................................................13
• Start line distance ......................................................................14
• Waypoint mode .........................................................................15
Advanced Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
• SET mode ..................................................................................17
• Compass offset (angle of magnetic variation/declination)..........19
• Boat offset .................................................................................20
• Exit timer mode .........................................................................21
• Exit mode of the start line...........................................................22
• Enable or disable the GPS functions..........................................22
• Enable or disable the race functions .........................................23
• Reset to factory compass calibration values..............................23
User calibration of the magnetic compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Contents
NS360
Operating Manual 3
For the first time, with the
NS360
, you can find a speedo and a magnetic
compass in one product, along with the all-essential race functions : wind shift
indicator, VMG, direction, speed and distance to the waypoints, start line distance
and race timer.
Compact (125 mm x 80 mm x 26 mm) and intuitive, the
NS360
is lighter (240
grams) than any existing system, wired or wireless. It is also waterproof and
robust, being made of bombproof polycarbonate and anodized aluminium.
Powered with only one standard AA battery, the
NS360
gives sailors accurate
and vital information for over 30 hours. It can be installed in minutes and there is
no need to drill a hole in the hull or use a wired connection.
We hope you enjoy sailing with the
NS360
, and encourage you to read this
manual thoroughly, to learn about the many features of your exciting new
Novasail product.
Introduction
NS360
Operating Manual4
The mounting location should be as far as possible from any magnetic objects to
avoid any interference with the compass sensor.
The
NS360
should be mounted as close as possible to the vertical and
horizontal planes.
Note :
Wherever you mount the
NS360
, it shouldn’t be flush to any thick
surface such as the hull, so that the sensitivity of the embedded GPS receiver is
not affected.
Installation
NS360
Operating Manual 5
Modes and sub-modes
Speed : SP
•SPI : Instant speed
•SPA : Average speed
•SPM : Maximum speed
•TRP : Total distance
Magnetic Heading : MH
•MHH : High sensitivity
•MHM : Medium sensitivity
•MHL : Low sensitivity
Velocity Made Good : VMG
Wind Shift Indicator : WIN
TIMER : TIM
Start Line Distance : SLD
Waypoints : WP
•WP1 to WP9 : Waypoint 1 to 9
Battery
Backlight
Data
Mode
To switch the sub-modes
Select the tack lines
Adjust the timer value
Select the start line points
Secondary
display
Primary
display
Switchmodes
Controls and display description
Start/stop the
NS360
Start/stop the backlight
Memorize wind direction
Memorize the tack lines
Start/stop the timer
Memorize start line
points
Memorize waypoints
NS360
Operating Manual6
Switching power on and off
•Make sure the battery is installed with the correct polarity and has enough
remaining power (positive pole inserted first)
•Press to start the device. A beep will be emitted
•Press and hold for more than 4 seconds until the screen displays OFF
and the sequence “3”, “2”, “1” is finished. A beep will be emitted when the
device turns off
The device will turn off automatically when it remains in the horizontal position for
more than 3 minutes. A beep will be emitted 3 seconds before it turns off.
Note:
If the device does not turn on, you need to check if the battery is fully
charged, that the battery compartment is dry, and the polarity is correct.
Note :
Until enough satellites are locked, the
NS360
is not ready to use. For
the sub-modes SPI, SPA and TRP and the modes VMG, SLD and WP, the
screen displays : ”---”. For the SPM sub-mode, the maximum value is displayed
but blinking until readyness.
Note :
Alkaline batteries should be used in order to result in a maximum
lifespan of 30 hours. When using a disposable battery, it is also recommended to
remove it if the device is not used for a prolonged period of time (in order to avoid
a possible leakage inside the battery compartment).
If using rechargeable batteries, low self discharge rate battery types are
preferred, because normal rechargeable batteries lose their stored energy more
quickly. Recommended batteries are SANYO ENELOOP, GP RECYKO+ or
UNIROSS HYBRIO. This kind of rechargeable battery will last for approximately
20 hours.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 7
Switching backlight on and off
•Press and hold for more than 1 second until the icon is displayed on
the screen. If the OFF sequence starts, simply release the button before
the sequence “3”, “2”, “1” is finished.
•To turn off the backlight, press and hold for more than 1 second until the
icon disappears from the screen.
Note :
When you press and hold the select button to switch on/off the
backlight, you will not make any selection and therefore will not change any
parameter.
Switching modes and sub-modes
•To have two different separate readings, first choose the mode and sub-
mode required on the primary display by pushing and then the arrows
for the sub-mode selection. Then, display the selected sub-mode
on the secondary display using the button.
•You are free to choose another mode/sub-mode on the primary display.
Note :
Any sub-mode selection on the primary display will affect automatically
the secondary display when both displays are in the same mode.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual8
SPeed mode
This mode provides the speed over ground of the boat as measured by the GPS
receiver. Several speeds are available through the sub-modes : Instant, Average
and Maximum as well as the trip distance.
•Use the arrows to scroll the sub-modes.
SPeed sub-modes
•SPI : SPeed Instant
The Instant speed of the boat is displayed in knots (kts) with an accuracy of 0.1
knot. The minimum speed is 1 knot, and the maximum speed is 99.9 knots.
•SPA : SPeed Average
This sub-mode provides the average speed of the boat during the past 3 seconds.
This is particularly useful when sailing with big waves upwind or downwind with
lots of speed changes.
•SPM : SPeed Maximum
The Maximum speed that the boat has reached since the last reset.
Note :
For that sub-mode, don’t forget to reset the maximum speed before your
next sail begins to ensure the value displayed refers to the new trip.
To reset the maximum speed :
•Display SPM sub-mode in the lower screen using the arrows
•Press
•TRP : TRiPdistance
The TRP mode displays the total distance made by the vessel since the last
reset.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 9
Note :
For that sub-mode, don’t forget to reset the trip before your next sail
begins to ensure the value displayed refers to the new trip.
To reset the trip distance :
•Display TRP sub-mode in the lower screen using the arrows
•Press
Magnetic Heading compass mode
To win races you need to react to even small wind shifts. The
NS360
digital
compass delivers precise and reliable heading information to help you to tack and
jibe at the most suitable times.
The sensitivity of the compass can easily be adjusted to High, Medium or Low by
scrolling through the sub-modes.
•Use the arrows to scroll the sub-modes.
Sub-modes of the Magnetic Heading compass :
•MHH : Magnetic Heading High sensitivity
When sailing with light winds and flat seas, High sensitivity allows you to
appreciate very small wind variation.
•MHM : Magnetic Heading Medium sensitivity
Medium sensitivity is more suitable for race boats under medium wind and sea
conditions. Dinghy racers will appreciate this mode.
•MHL : Magnetic Heading Low sensitivity
Under Low sensitivity more subtile variations due to big waves and sudden gusts
are filtered.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual10
Note :
The magnetic variation of the area of use can be compensated by
adjusting the compass offset. Please refer to the Advanced Operations “Compass
offset”, page 19 for more details on the compass offset adjustement.
VMG mode
This mode provides the projected speed of the boat on the wind direction. The
higher the value, the faster the vessel is going upwind or downwind. First, the
wind direction must be set to display a VMG value on the data line. If no wind
direction is set, the screen displays “---”. The VMG is displayed in knots (kts).
To set and adjust the wind direction in VMG mode
•Press to capture the wind direction as the current heading value.
•Adjust the wind direction value with the arrows
Note :
Each time you press , the Magnetic Compass Heading is used as the
wind direction.
Note :
The wind direction may also be calculated from the the starboard and
port tack lines if you have already set the values in the WIN mode. (See WIN
mode, page 11)
Note :
When you memorize a wind direction in VMG mode, the tack lines in
WIN mode are updated, assuming that the boat makes the same upwind angle on
startboard and port.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 11
WINd shift indicator mode
Used in Wind Shift Indicator (WIN) mode, the
NS360
displays numerical values
of the wind shifts allowing an immediate and effortless interpretation. To use this
mode, you need to memorize the tack lines on startboard and port.
Memorization of the tack lines :
•Sail upwind to your optimal VMG
•“D 1” is displayed on the data line of the lower screen
•Press to use the current magnetic compass heading as the one of the
tack line directions.
•The wind shift value is immediately displayed
•Press the arrows to display “D 2” on the data line of the lower
screen
•Sail upwind to your optimal VMG on the other tack line
•Press to use the current magnetic compass heading as the other tack
line direction
VMG
Vwasted
Vactual
WindDire ction
VMGDIAGRAM
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual12
Note :
The sequence of memorization of the tack lines on starboard and port is
not defined. You can do starboard then port or vice versa.
The WIN mode displays an angle in degrees which corresponds to the difference
between the tack line direction and the current magnetic compass heading of the
boat. It displays ’H’ (for Heading) in front of the value if the wind is heading, and
’L’ (for Lift) in front of the value if the wind is lifting. When sailing upwind, you need
to sail inside the lifts ’L”.
When sailing downwind, the WIN mode will display ’d’ (for downwind) in front of
the value of the deviation from the wind direction.
Note:
The first tack line memorized is by default considered to be the starboard
line. However, if this was the port tack line, the product will understand it
automatically.
LIFT
Wind direction
Starboard tack line Port tack line
HEADER
Operations
fig.1 WIN mode diagram when sailing on starboard
NS360
Operating Manual 13
TIMER mode
This mode offers a countdown timer which can be set from 1 to 9 minutes.
When counting down, a short beep sounds :
•each minute until the last minute
•each ten seconds until 10 seconds
•each second until the start time
At the start time :
•a long beep sounds
•the timer starts counting the race duration in minutes and hours
Adjust, start and stop the TIMER :
•Adjust the timer value with the arrows .
•Press to start and stop the TIMER.
Resynchronize the TIMER to the nearest minute :
When the TIMER is running, at any time, you can resynchronize to the upper or
lower minute
•Press the arrow to resynchronize the value to the upper minute.
•Press the arrow to resynchronize the value to the lower minute.
Note :
The timer continues to count down until you press to stop it, even
during resynchronization. When stopped, the display blinks and the timer remains
frozen.
Note :
After the start, the timer will switch automatically to the mode defined in
the SET mode. Please refer to the Advanced Operations “Exit Timer mode”, page
21 for more details. (The default value of the Exit Timer mode parameter is “SP”
mode).
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual14
Start Line Distance
Knowing the exact distance in meters to the start line gives a huge advantage in
helping you start ahead of the fleet and even win the race. The
NS360
start line
distance function is the most advanced on the market as it combines a 1 meter
accuracy and a dynamic boat offset compensation calculated with the real boat
magnetic heading to the start line.
The accuracy of the distance is 1 meter but it’s safer to take a bigger margin. The
maximum distance is 999 meters.
The start line consists of 2 points “P 1” and “P 2” that have to be aligned with the
start line :
•P1 : Commitee boat
•P2 : Pin
Memorize the start line points ’P 1’ and ’P 2’
•’P 1’ is displayed on the data line of the lower screen.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 15
•Press when you reach the committee boat reference point.
•’P 2’ is now displayed on the data line of the lower screen.
•Press when you reach the pin reference point.
•The distance is meter is now displayed on the data line.
Note :
If the start line is modified by the committee, you may be required to re-
enter one or both reference points. It can be done by pressing the arrows
to select the desired reference point and to memorize it by pressing
Note :
The distance from the front of the boat to the
NS360
is called the Boat
OFfset (BOF). Please refer to Advanced Operations “Boat offset”, page 20 for
more details on the boat offset adjustment.
Note :
After the start, the Start Line Distance (SLD) will switch automatically to
the mode defined in the SET mode. Please refer to the Advanced Operations
“Exit Start Line mode”, page 22 for more details. (The default value of the Exit
Start Line mode parameter is “MH” mode).
WayPoint mode
Boats doing Island races are usually turning the same marks but in different
orders. The waypoint mode has been made for those who are sailing island races
and require information such as the direction, the speed and the distance to reach
the selected pre-defined waypoint. Up to 9 waypoints can be memorized : WP1,
WP2…to WP9. Each time a waypoint is selected, the direction, speed and
distance to reach it are displayed sequentially every 4 seconds.
To use a waypoint
•By default, WP1 is displayed on the mode line.
•Press the arrows to select the required waypoint, from WP1 to
WP9.
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual16
•The direction, speed and distance are displayed sequentially every 4
seconds.
To Memorize a waypoint
•Press the arrows to select the waypoint (from WP1 to WP9) that
you want to overwrite.
•Press to memorize the current boat position into the selected waypoint.
•The direction, speed and distance to reach it are displayed sequentially
every 4 seconds.
The waypoint speed displayed in knots is calculated using the waypoint position,
the boat position, the boat speed and the heading.
The sign ’+’ means that you are approaching the waypoint and ’-’ that you are
going in the opposite direction.
WPs
p
eed
S
p
ee
d
NS360
Waypoint position memorized
WayPoint Speed DIAGRAM
Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 17
SET mode
The SET mode allows the adjustment of your
NS360
parameters sequentially as
follows :
•Compass offset
•Boat offset
•Exit mode of the Timer
•Exit mode of the Start Line
•GPS module activation : on/off
•Race functions activation : on/off
•Reset the product to the factory default values
•Compass calibration
Note :
GPS and Race functions can be turned off if your sailing class does not
allow them. OFF is displayed when you select any mode using the GPS and/or
Race functions.
To enter the SET mode :
•Press and the upper screen simultaneously. “SET” is displayed on
the data line of the upper screen.
•Each parameter is displayed on the mode line of the lower screen.
•You can select the required value for each parameter using the arrows
.
•Press to memorize the parameter value and switch to the next
parameter.
•You exit the SET mode automatically after the last parameter is memorized.
Note :
Each parameter is memorized when is pressed and before the next
parameter is displayed, except for reset and calibration.
Advanced Operations
NS360
Operating Manual18
The
NS360
will automatically exit the SET mode upon completion of all
parameters.
Note :
You can also exit the SET mode anytime by switching off and on the
product.
Name Display Description
Compass OFfset COF This allows to compensate the
magnetic deviation. The default
value is 0
Boat OFfset BOF This is the length between the front
of the boat and the
NS360
- default value 0, can be adjusted in
0.1 meter increments.
Exit TImer mode ETI - default alternate mode is the Speed
mode
- All other modes can be selected
Exit Start Line
mode ESL - default alternate mode is the
Magnetic Heading mode
- All other modes can be selected
GPS activation GPS - ON
- OFF (if your sailing class does not
allow it during races)
RACe functions
activation RAC - ON
- OFF (if your sailing class does not
allow it during races)
RESet to factory
default values RES - ON to retrieve factory values
- OFF by default
Compass
CaLibration CAL - ON to start
- OFF by default
Advanced Operations
NS360
Operating Manual 19
Compass offset (angle of magnetic variation/declination)
Because the angle of variation varies with respect to the geographic position, the
NS360
must be adjusted according to the specific location to achieve the
maximum accuracy and synchronization between the GPS unit and the magnetic
compass. The angle of variation is the actual angle observed between the true
North geographic position and the actual North magnetic position.
To compensate for the magnetic variation, you need to adjust the parameter COF
(Compass Offset) as follows :
•Switch off your
NS360
.
•Press and the upper screen simultaneously. ’SET’ is displayed on
the upper line of the display.
•COF (Compass Offset) is displayed on the mode line of the lower screen
•Use the arrows to enter the required variation corrective value The
first digit will display ’W’ or ’E’ for a west or a east variation, and the
remaining 2 digits are the actual angle, adjustable from 0 to 45 degrees.
•Press to store the value, BOF (Boat Offset) is now displayed.
•Go through all the parameters to exit the SET mode or press and hold for
more than 4 seconds until the device turns off.
Advanced Operations
NS360
Operating Manual20
There are a number of resources available on the web that compute angles of
variation for any location in the world. A “world Magnetic Model Calculator” is
available from both the National Geophysical Data Center and the British
Geological Survey :
•http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/geomag/jsp/struts/calcDeclination
•http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/gifs/wmm_calc.html
Here’s some examples of magnetic variation for different geographic locations :
•Hong Kong : 2 degrees west
•Melbourne : 11 degrees east
•Marseille : 0 degree
•San Francisco : 14 degrees east
Boat offset
The boat offset corresponds to the distance from the front of the boat to the
NS360
. The remaining distance to the start line is calculated taking the boat
offset and the current magnetic heading into account. The default value is 0, the
maximum value is 99.9 meters and the increment is 0.1 meter.
Example : The real distance between the front of the boat to the
NS360
is 3.2
meters. You need to enter a boat offset equal to 3.2 meters. Then, considering
that the
NS360
is 10 meters from the line. When you face the start line, the
displayed remaining distance is equal to the 10-3.2 meters, 6 meters. However,
using the magnetic heading of the boat, if you sail parallel to the line, then the
display value is equal to the real distance between the line and the
NS360
, 10
meters.
•Switch off your
NS360
.
•Press and the upper screen simultaneously. ’SET’ is displayed on
the data line of the upper screen .
•Press until BOF (Boat Offset) is displayed on the mode line of the lower
screen.
Advanced Operations
Other manuals for NS360
2
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