The navigation electronics on sailing yachts require data from the electronic compass in addition to the control display, essentially for four functions: the map display, the radar overlay, the autopilot. Networked wind instruments use the course to determine the geographic wind direction. And wind rotors can be read directly from this. Which in turn helps to decide when you can get to the destination or the mark faster on the other bow.
But why from the compass, after all, every GPS receiver also provides a course? However, this is the direction of movement over the ground, which usually does not coincide with the direction in which the bow, wind instrument and radar antenna are pointing. Anyone who is out and about in tidal areas knows the effect well enough.
Eight devices from six manufacturers are being tested. Prices range from 200 to 857 euros. Six models can only be connected via NMEA2000 (N2K), one only has NMEA0183, and one offers both connections. Two of the NMEA2000 devices also have an integrated GPS receiver.