Use
Mainly used in Eights and Fours the read outs are used by the coxswain to monitor the performance of the crew and manage the race. This is of particular importance in head (time trial) races where the crews race line astern and so performance of other crews cannot be easily gauged.
The amplifier is linked to one or more loudspeakers along the boat making it easier for the crew to hear commands, this is particularly important for the rower in the bow seat as they are often furthest away. The coxswain typically wears a headband-mounted microphone, which is attached by a wire and quick release to the cox box. Some units allow a walkie-talkie connection to the coach so he can use the amplification to speak directly to the crew as well.
Rowing shells fitted with speed measuring impellers or GPS can report boat speed to a cox box unit, typically measured in Meters/second or 500 meters predicted split time. GPS speed measurement is presently only on Coxmate SCT and SX units.
Read more about this topic: Cox Box
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