John, color or no? does it matter for our needs?

I have a six-year-old one - there wasn't a color option back then. I understand that the color unit actually has a slightly smaller screen.

If bigger is better, then the latest 76 model had a compass added to it, making it like a larger-screened version of the Vista. The 76 is supposed to float, too. I haven't seen anything yet that I like more than my old Vista - and with on-line updates, the firmware is kept really current.

Happy shopping - check www.gpscity.com for some good deals. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

*edit - the Vista is new for less than $200 with shipping. I paid about $350 back in 2000 or so. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I saw it at Walmart.com for $179.88 and will ship free to a store near you, or ship directly to you for approx. $15.50

No problems with the Velcro coming undone? (or do you use the lanyard as a backup safety around the arm)

Jake, never used it for catsailing, and I only look at it after each run while windsurfing, I find at over 27knots I can`t find the courage to look at instruments.. But mounted correctly on your forearm you could read it easily while catsailing.
I tie the lanyard to my wetsuit zip tether, so if it slips off the arm in a big swim I won`t lose it. (It mounts on my upper arm for windsurfing)
The Velcro strap is a stretchy material, so you get someone to put it on over your arm where you want it, and close the velcro, I then just pull it off my arm after a sail, never undo and redo the velcro, or it might wear out after a while. Just pull it onto my arm again for the next sail. It is a bit more difficult to fiddle with the buttons in the pouch, but as mentioned I only use it for speed runs, so reset max speed is the only function I use often.
The velcro strip is really wide and has a positive grip, I can`t see it ever coming undone.
PS : top speed run at our pond is now a shade over 47knots (2 sec average)by a Kitesurfer. It`s a far cry from a 500metre run, but DAMN THAT IS FAST...

Cheers
STeve

Jake made a comment a few weeks ago to make sure you can see the screen with polarized sunglasses on. That could be a deal breaker, I'd assume.

Does anyone use these units during buoy racing? or mostly long distance?

Anything with an LCD is going to be an issue with polorized lenses. The benefits of wearing the glasses far outweight the minor issue of having to adjust the angle at which you are holding the LCD, IMO. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

We mount the Garmin 201 on the boom (ca 1 meter from the mast) using the unit's strap, and that works just fine as long as we remember to turn the unit over to the other side when tacking (a matter of just touching it). Our boom is a 50 mm diameter tube (Taipan 5.7).
Stein

Stein

Yeah, I later discovered that I was mistaken about the Tactic not having a polarized lens...it's just oriented properly so you can still see it with most polarized glasses. I think by the very nature of an LCD display, the outer lens has to be polarized.