SpeedPuck Manual
Firmware Version v1.3
Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
FEATURES 1
BASICS 2
BATTERIES 2
BATTERY INSTALLATION 2
BATTERY INDICATOR 2
BATTERY TYPES 2
SIGNAL ACQUISITION 3
INSTALLATION GUIDE 3
GPS DATA STORAGE 3
OPERATION 4
SAILING OPERATION 4
MOTOR SPORTS OPERATION 5
DATA LOGGER OPERATION 6
DISPLAYS 7
SPEED 7
HEADING 7
MAX SPEED 7
LIFT/HEADER BAR GRAPH INDICATOR 7
SPEED BAR GRAPH INDICATOR 7
CONFIGURATION 8
DEVICE SETTINGS 8
DEVICE OPERATION 8
LOGGING RATE 8
SPEED DISPLAYED IN 8
MAX SPEED DISPLAY 8
SPEED AND HEADING DAMPING 8
BAR GRAPH DISPLAY 9
COMPASS DECLINATION 9
FIRMWARE UPDATE 9
SOFTWARE 10
CONTROL CENTER 10
SPEEDPLAY 10
MAINTENANCE 11
CONTACT 12
INDEX 13
Features 1
Introduction
The SpeedPuck is a GPS device designed for sailing and motor sports.
Features
Speed and compass updated at 2 times a second
Header/Lift indicator updated at 2 times a second
Maximum and best 10 second average speed recall
Over 20 hours of GPS data storage at record rate of every 2 seconds
Up to 20 hours of battery life
Data downloading through USB link
User configurable device settings allow customization of select SpeedPuck functionalities
Internet updatable firmware allows you to benefit from ongoing product improvements and
feature additions
Waterproof to 3m
Batteries 2
Basics
Batteries
Battery Installation
The SpeedPuck requires 3 AA batteries to operate. The battery compartment can be reached by
opening the back case.
Battery Indicator
The battery indicator on the SpeedPuck is located on the bottom right of the LCD screen.
Battery Types
We recommend using rechargeable batteries over standard disposable AA batteries. Disposable
batteries will provide approximately 10 hours of life while rechargeable batteries will last for 20 hours or
longer.
Signal Acquisition 3
Signal Acquisition
The operation of the SpeedPuck relies on low-power radio signals from GPS satellites that orbit the earth
at an altitude of approximately 20,000 km. As a result, the SpeedPuck must be outdoors with a clear
view of the sky to function properly.
When the SpeedPuck is first turned on, it must download information from GPS satellites before it can
acquire a GPS solution. The data download process normally takes 1-2 minutes or up to 5 minutes if
fresh batteries have just been installed.
Installation Guide
The SpeedPuck can be installed anywhere on the boat with a view of the sky. The SpeedPuck comes
with dual lock, an industrial strength Velcro, on the back for easy installation. Several mounting options
are available. For details, go to http://www.velocitek.com/products/mounting-hardware.
GPS Data Storage
The SpeedPuck records GPS data whenever the device is on and GPS signal is detected. The device can
be configured to record data every second, every 2 seconds or every 4 seconds. The SpeedPuck can
store up to 20 hours of data when recording GPS data every 2 seconds.
Sailing Operation 4
Operation
This section will be split by SpeedPuck utility. The SpeedPuck can be configured by editing the device
operation option to suit a utility. The SpeedPuck has 3 operation options, sailing, motor sports and
data logger which can be configured by editing the device settings.
Sailing Operation
The sailing device operation option is for those racing dinghy boats.
Motor Sports Operation 5
Motor Sports Operation
The motor sports operation option is for the motor sports enthusiasts who want to know exactly how
fast they are going.
Data Logger Operation 6
Data Logger Operation
The data logger operation option is available in case rules prevent you from using the features offered by
the SpeedPuck. The data logger mode displays blank, but records your GPS data which can be replayed
later for analysis.
Displays 7
Displays
Following are details on the various displays.
Speed
The speed can be displayed in knots, miles/hour, kilometers/hour or meter/second by editing the device
settings. The default is to display speed in knots.
Heading
Either true or magnetic heading can be displayed at an update rate of 2Hz (twice a second). True
heading is the direction you are moving referenced to true north. Magnetic heading is the degrees you
are heading in reference to the local magnetic north. When using a magnetic compass in conjunction
with the SpeedPuck, setting the compass declination to the local declination is useful since both
instruments will be referenced to magnetic north. By default the compass displays true heading, to
display magnetic heading the local magnetic declination must be defined in device settings.
The SpeedPuck displays heading only when your speed is greater than 1 knot, otherwise it will show a
heading of 0 degrees regardless of which direction you are actually moving.
The difference of the SpeedPuck to a conventional magnetic compass is that the SpeedPuck measures
the direction the device is moving in rather than the direction it is pointed in.
A major benefit of the SpeedPuck over a conventional magnetic compass is that it will give you accurate
heading information, regardless of the orientation in which it is mounted on your boat. SpeedPuck's
compass reading depends only on the direction you are moving, not the direction the device is pointing.
Max Speed
Instantaneous and or 10 second average max speed can be displayed. The max speed mode can be
displayed to display, the maximum instantaneous speed, the maximum 10 second average speed or flash
between both. To configure max speed display, edit the device settings.
Lift/Header Bar Graph Indicator
The SpeedPuck automatically detects when a sailor is trimmed to a heading then provides the header/lift
indication. The trim angle is set when the sailor is trimmed at a heading for over 20 seconds. Then
header/lift indication is given off of that trim angle. Each segment represents 3 degrees. Once a tack or a
jibe is detected the indicator resets and nothing is indicated until another trim angle is set. Each bar
segment represents 3 degrees of wind shift.
Speed Bar Graph Indicator
The Speed Bar Graph Indicator displays a bar graph with each bar segment representing 5 knots.
Configuration 8
Configuration
The SpeedPuck can be configured by editing the device settings by connecting it to a PC via USB cable.
Device Settings
The following device settings are available.
Device Operation
The device operation should be set depending on the SpeedPuck utility. Three operation options
available are sailing, motor sports and data logger. Each of these options tailors the SpeedPuck
functionality to the utility. For details on operation options refer to Operation.
Logging Rate
Logging rate is the rate at which the SpeedPuck records data. User can select from 1Hz (once every
second), 1/2Hz (once every 2 seconds), and 1/4Hz (once every 4 seconds). The default logging rate is
1/2Hz
Speed Displayed In
Speed can be displayed in 4 different units of measurement, knots, miles/hour, kilometers/hour and
meters/second. The default unit of measurement is knots.
Max Speed Display
There are 3 different maximum speed display modes you can choose from. Display maximum 10
second speed, maximum instantaneous speed and flash between both maximum speeds. The default is
to display maximum 10 second speed.
Speed and Heading Damping
Damping on the SpeedPuck corresponds to the amount of time to which the raw GPS data is averaged
over before it is displayed. Damping has the effect of smoothing out the displayed data while low
damping allows the displayed data to update faster.
High damping is good for evaluating different trim settings as it smoothes out spikes in the
measurements resulting from gusts and wave action. On the other hand, low damping will help you to
quickly identify the effect of gusts and wind shifts.
The damping on the SpeedPuck can be set for speed and heading independently to 10 different settings,
from no damping to damping of 4 minutes. The default damping is 1 second for both speed and
heading damping.
Configuration 9
We recommend that you experiment with different damping levels. The optimal setting will depend on
your boat, the conditions and what you are using the instrument for.
Bar Graph Display
Option to turn the display on or off is available when the sailing device operation option is selected.
Compass Declination
When defined to the local declination, the heading will be referenced to local magnetic north. Positive
declination represents west and negative declination represents east. To reference the compass
measurement to true north, input 0 for compass declination. Default compass declination is 0 degrees.
When using a magnetic compass in conjunction with the SpeedPuck, setting the compass declination to
the local declination is useful since both instruments will be referenced to magnetic north.
Firmware Update
Firmware is the software that runs on the SpeedPuck. Periodically firmware updates will be available
with bug fixes and enhanced features. To update the firmware you must download either Control
Center or SpeedPlay and connect your device to a PC.
Software 10
Software
There are two software packages, Control Center and SpeedPlay, available from Velocitek which allow
you to perform GPS data download, customize device functionality and update firmware.
Control Center
Control Center is the basic free software. To find out more and download the software, go to
http://www.velocitek.com/products/controlcenter.
SpeedPlay
SpeedPlay is a more powerful tool which facilitates replaying the GPS data from multiple Velocitek
devices. SpeedPlay is a must have if you have fellow sailors who also own a Velocitek unit. To find out
more and download the software, go to http://www.velocitek.com/products/speedplay.
Maintenance 11
Maintenance
To ensure your SpeedPuck's enclosure remains watertight and the electronics are not destroyed by
corrosion, please take the following precautions:
Dry case with a towel before opening.
Wipe away sand or debris on the gasket before screwing the back case on.
Once the case is open wipe away any loose water droplets.
If you ever see signs that water is leaking inside the enclosure please contact Velocitek
immediately at (800)-693-1610 or support@velocitek.com to arrange for your device to be
repaired and made watertight again.
Contact 12
Contact
Mail: Velocitek, LLC
271 B Kahiko St.
Paia, HI 96779
USA
Fax: +1-650-618-2679
Phone: Calls will be answered 9AM ~ 6PM, Hawaiian Standard Time (GMT-10)
US and Canada: +1-800-693-1610
International: +1-650-362-0499
Email: support@velocitek.com
Website: http://www.velocitek.com
Forum: http://www.velocitek.com/forums/
Support: http://www.velocitek.com/support
Index 13
Index
B
Batteries, 2
C
Contact, 12
Control Center, 10
D
Device Setting
Bar Graph Display Option, 9
Compass Declination, 9
Device Operation, 8
Logging Rate, 8
Max Speed Display, 8
Speed and Heading Damping, 8
Speed Displayed In, 8
Device Settings, 8
Displays, 7
F
Firmware Update, 9
G
GPS Data Storage, 3
H
Heading, 7
I
Installation Guide, 3
L
Lift/Header Bar Graph Indicator, 7
M
Maintenance, 11
Max Speed, 7
O
Operation Option
Data Logger, 6
Operation Option
Motor Sports, 5
Sailing, 4
S
Signal Acquisition, 3
Software, 10
Speed, 7
Speed Bar Graph Indicator, 7
SpeedPlay, 10
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