Rowing Support

SpeedCoach Operating Instructions (Printable PDF)

Thank you for purchasing the NK SpeedCoach system. We have designed the SpeedCoach system to provide you with all the basic information you need to train effectively – speed, distance, elapsed time, stroke rate and stroke count, as well as 25 intervals of memory so you can review your performance after a race or piece. We have also made every effort to make the SpeedCoach system easy to install and use.

MOUNTING

We recommend you install the strap and attach it to the boat while using your display unit as added insurance against loss.

1. Line up plastic feet with slots in bracket.
2. Slide down to lock in place. Check that unit is snug.

** Be sure lanyard is out of the way.

TURNING THE UNIT ON

Press the top button once to turn unit on. The first screen (a) will show you the total distance since purchase or the last battery change. After 4 Seconds, the “Ready” screen (b) will appear.

TURNING THE UNIT OFF

To turn the unit off, simply press and hold the top button for 1 second until “OFF” appears in the lower left-hand window (a).

At this point, release the button and the unit will shut off (b).

** All data in memory will be retained unless battery is removed. After 17 minutes of not taking strokes or pressing buttons the SpeedCoach unit will AUTOMATICALLY shut off.

UNIT SELECTION

To select and change the units which your unit will display, press and hold the lower button. After 3 Seconds, the unit will pass through the calibration mode(a) and scroll through each available unit (b). When your desired unit appears in the lower left window, release the button (c).

The scrolling order is as follows:

M = 4 Second Hold / Release
KM = 5 Seconds / Release
NM = 6 Seconds / Release
MILE = 7 Seconds / Release

**You may have to perform this task twice if you wish to change the Units, as well as the Stroke Mode...

STROKE MODE SELECTION

To select and change the Stroke Mode which your unit will display, press and hold the lower button. After 7 Seconds, the unit will scroll through the unit selection and begin scrolling through each available Stroke Mode. When your desired Stroke Mode appears in the lower left window, release the button.

The scrolling order is as follows:

2-Str = 8 Second Hold / Release
1-Str = 9 Seconds / Release
0-Str = 10 Seconds / Release

Rowers using seat switch (a) should use the “2-Stroke” setting; Kayakers using the paddle switch (b) should use the “1-Stroke” setting; Canoeists AND Rowers and some Kayakers** not using the optional rate switch (c) should use the “0-Stroke” setting. The SpeedCoach will calculate stroke rate from the changes in speed through the water.

**Kayakers who maintain too consistent of a speed must use the paddle switch to obtain stroke rate.

READY TO RUN

When the unit is displaying the ready screen, press the top button to get out of “STOP” mode. The “STOP” indicator will now disappear (a).

Once you begin to row or paddle, the unit will start displaying information (b).

STOPPING THE TIMER

Once begun, the timer may be stopped at any time. Press the top button to stop the timer (a). The “STOP” indicator will appear in lower right window.

** STOP mode will pause the timer and distance log, however, the Pace/Speed and Stroke Rate will continue to update.

When ready to begin again, press the top button; the “STOP” indicator will no longer be displayed. The timer and distance log will now resume.

SWITCHING BETWEEN SPEED & PACE

To switch the display between speed and pace, hold the bottom button for 2 Seconds. The top left window will change from /500M split (a) to M/S, MPH or Knotts speed (b).

Press the bottom button to scroll between elapsed time (a), distance (b) and average split/pace (c) in the bottom left window.

You can switch between speed and pace at any time.

RECALLING THE MEMORY

To recall the memory hold down the top button for 2 Seconds until “rECL” appears in the bottom left-hand window (a). At this point, release the button and the first memory point will appear (b).

MEMORY RECALL
TOP LEFT - INTERVAL NUMBER
TOP RIGHT - AVG RATE OVER INTERVAL
BOTTOM LEFT - TIME/DIST or AVG SPD

Each press of the top button after that will allow you to scroll through the 25 stored memory points (c), as well as a point displaying the overall average.

Once you have reached the 25th memory point, there will be one more piece of memory stored (a). This point is taken when the row is ended, at which time the overall averages and distances are shown.

To exit MEMORY MODE, hold top button for two seconds (b). When you see the screen go blank, release the button. You will then return to RUN MODE (c).

When you have stored a piece into the SpeedCoach, at any given data point you can review the information in 4 different ways:

RESETTING YOUR TIMER

To reset the timer, hold the top button down for 3 Seconds then release when you see “rESEt” in the lower left window (a). The “push button indicator” now appears in the upper right window (b). Press the lower button to clear the memory (c). The unit will automatically return to the ready screen.

CALIBRATION

The SpeedCoach is factory calibrated to provide accurate performance in most shells with the impeller installed 16’3” (5 m) from the bow. Calibration is an optional step which allows the display unit to compensate for different impeller locations, and to perform accurately to your boat. You do not need
to calibrate your system if you are concerned only with comparing performance from day to day. To calibrate your system, row or paddle over a measured distance on still water (on flowing water, row or paddle both up and down stream and average the results shown on your display). Then, use the following formula to obtain your new calibration value:

(OLD CAL VALUE)(TRUE DISTANCE)/DISPLAYED DISTANCE=NEW CAL VALUE

For example, if you know you covered 1 mile, but your display shows 0.92, your calibration value will be:

(1.00)(1.00)/(0.92)=1.086

PLEASE NOTE: Calibration is boat and impeller location-specific: if you move your unit to a new boat, or modify the location of your impeller, it is recommended that you recalibrate the unit.

To change the calibration number, hold the bottom button in for 3 Seconds until you see “CAL” in the lower left screen (a), then release. Now you will see the number with the first digit flashing (b).

Press the bottom button to change this number. Hold bottom button for 1 second to move between digits (c). Repeat hold and press to move through and change all appropriate digits (d). Hold to exit.

REPLACING THE BATTERY

If the display seems faint (a) then the battery is probably low. To replace the battery, open the battery
door with a flat head screw driver (b) (a coin will also work). Remove battery door and replace the 3V
Lithium CR2032 battery with new one (c) and replace door.

To zero out the distance log, hold the top button down for 10 seconds with the battery out. Then replace battery. **If you have calibrated your unit, you will need to re-enter your adjusted calibration factor after removing the battery.