Your guide to getting the most from your racing compass and timer.
What it does: Continuously displays your magnetic heading in large digits, tilt-compensated so it stays steady as the boat heels. Heading comes from your phone’s magnetometer only, with no GPS.
How to access: Open NavTactiq and the compass starts.
What it does: Uses changes in your compass heading to show when you’re lifted or headed, so you can tack on the shifts and stay in phase.
Some classes restrict lift and header displays. See the class-legal compass guide.
What it does: Countdowns with audible alerts so you’re always in sync with the sequence.
How to access: Long-press in compass mode, then tap the screen to begin the selected countdown. Swipe left or right to set custom times. To sync up, swipe right; to sync down, swipe left. The timer goes back to compass mode automatically after the start. Time modes are 5:00, 3:00, 2:00 and 1:00, with sync to the 5, 4 and 1-minute signals, or to sound signals down to 30 seconds for sequences of 3:00 or less.
What it does: Customize screen colors for better visibility in bright sun, fog or at night.
How to access: Swipe left, then choose a color display option and adjust brightness. To close the menu without changing anything, choose the color scheme you already have.
Android: NavTactiq for Android phones is in development.
Vertical split mode: A portrait, split-screen layout for mounts and boats where vertical works better.
Fine-tuning controls: More adjustments for sailors who like to dial in every setting.
Course tracking: Record your course, tacks and gybes for post-race review. Like any feature that some classes don’t allow, it will be optional and can be switched off for racing.