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Design Rationale Accuracy is the bottom line Everybody can see and act on the 20º wind shift. The ability to discern the 5º shift, and having the confidence to believe it is key. A 1º error in heading throws off wind direction by the same amount. A 1º error in apparent wind angle can throw wind direction off by as much as 3º. This is why proper math, accurate sensors and diligent calibration are so important for a true wind instrument system. Of course, none of these things can be determined directly. However, there is a reliable overall way to gauge how good an instrument system is at doing true wind – the change in wind direction when you tack or jibe (the “wiggle”). Wiggle = (Wind Direction before tack) – (Wind Direction after tack) There are about ½ dozen instrument systems that claim to calculate wind direction. Finding out how much wiggle they produce is a good way to determine which ones to consider. After all, your trophy collection depends on it. More information: How Ockam Calculates things (PDF) Calibration Theory & Practice (PDF)