| Bob,
I have a Casio 248 (probably a cheaper version of the W-400) and while it
won't automatically switch from countdown to elapsed time, you can come
pretty close by pressing the right buttons. Just set the countdown timer
to the desired time, start it when appropriate, and as it's counting down
bring the watch into stopwatch mode. The alarm will sound when the count-
down timer reaches zero (even though you're in stop watch mode) then hit the
start button for elapsed time.
The only drawbacks are 1. it does require a few buttons pushed at the start
of the elapsed time (and you may be too busy?) 2. The alarm for the countdown
timer will keep going off until you get into that mode and stop it. If you
had to let it beep for a minute after you start and before you could get to it
I guess that would be alright.
If mode changes are too much, maybe two watches; one for countdown, one for
elapsed time. (My watch cost about $24 a year ago, is waterproof to 50m, and
has elapsed, countdown, and alarm.)
Good luck on whatever you choose.
-Eric-
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| Bob,
I have been a 470 sailor at national and international level for over 10
years and had the same experience with Memosail's as you. Since 5 years
I have an AQUASTAR, which unfortunately is a bit expensive (approx. $ 200.-),
but has worked absolutely trouble free and is much more robust than the Memo-
sail.
It has very well visible colored disks (5 of them) which change from blue to
red to silver over the 10 minutes and an analog second hand which give you
instant display of what time is left. It is automatic and of course also
shows time of day. There is only one button to press for reseting. I still
believe that an analog whatch is the only thing considering when "time is of
the essence" at reading !
Let me know if you are interrested, maybe we can even find someone to bring
you one to the US.
regards,
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