Tacktick, one of the major players in the market for self-contained marine electronics have launched a new compass which, using beeps of different pitches, can give accurate course information for visually impaired sailors.

The Tacktick Audio Compass is set to hit the market with a price of about £150. Clive Clifford, CEO of RYA Sailability, said: “Blind people have long enjoyed the sport of sailing but until now electronic audio compasses have been far too expensive for them to own personally, the launch of the Audio Compass from Tacktick is about to change all this. This new audio compass is relatively cheap to buy and compact enough to fit into your pocket; it will make a considerable impact on the sailing of many visually impaired people.”

The fluxgate device has been adapted from Tacktick’s mass market Micro Compass. This gives the Audio Compass the advantage of the same built in solar cells to augment battery life. In addition, it doesn’t require holes to be drilled in the boat, or an external power supply, making it easily transferable from boat to boat.

So as not to distract fellow crewmembers audio output is through a single earphone. The unit also has a large LCD numerical course display to make it easily decipherable for partially sighted helmsmen.

Because of the specialist nature of the product, It is unlikely to appear in high street chandlers. The compasses will be distributed through RYA’s Sailability. For more information telephone 01243 375485 or visit the RYA Sailability website.

To view a previous Yachting Monthly article on Tacktick’s new wireless range click here.