DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY

We were ruthless in putting all our costs into only those components that are critical to tracking -- the strongest stepper motor and gear case and the most precise, reliable solid-state compass. We left out everything that smacked of unnecessary "gold-plating." For example, a simple 50-cent cord is our limit switch. It saves you from about $200 of extra costs for internal limit switches, electronics and liquid crystal displays. Yet, it serves the function of stopping an excessive turn, notifying you of an approaching limit. You use a simple button press to unwind. Another example is our simple case: it is made of standard 4" PVC pipe. This is exceptionally strong, completely marinized and makes it easy to provide a custom "pole mount" using 4" PVC pipe that fits into the bottom 4" PVC coupling of the unit. Or you can use our standard mounting hardware that comes with the unit to install on any railing or aluminum or SS pole.

COMPASS VERSUS SIGNAL TRACKING

Are there advantages to tracking using a solid-state compass? There are significant advantages. The megayacht cocoon systems track on the TV signal. Upon losing the signal due to a disturbance (a big wake), or an obstruction (a mast or boom), they switch to search mode and may take a minute or two to search the sky for the signal. ^{TONGYONG SAT TV?/I> is always locked on to a magnetic location throughout the disturbance, or while the signal is obstructed, and regains the signal the instant the disturbance passes or the obstruction goes away. Big boats do not pitch much and they roll slowly. Smaller boats, under 50', roll and pitch more quickly and are more likely to lose the signal. For example, the spec for a popular cocoon system gives a max acceleration of 0.2g. Smaller boats easily exceed 1.0g in seas.}