Forums > Windsurfing   Gps and Speed talk

Recommendation for gps speed/top speed

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Created by coxy31 > 9 months ago, 12 Mar 2016
coxy31
NSW, 127 posts
12 Mar 2016 2:07PM
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Im on the kite foil Wagon but thought this would be the best place to ask..
I'm after something to give current speed,top speed and maybe even track routes..
Currently been using strava with my I phone 5 wrapped around my neck but can't see speeds on the fly..
Was looking into the speed puk(like the big screen) but no tracking that I'm aware of and I'm not sure of the life expectancy strapped to the board..
Any advice would be great

Surfinfreak
QLD, 293 posts
12 Mar 2016 5:06PM
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Have a look at the GW52

coxy31
NSW, 127 posts
12 Mar 2016 10:03PM
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Had a look looks abit high tech for me

powersloshin
NSW, 1836 posts
13 Mar 2016 7:26AM
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You can get the canmore then, its very cheap and it will show the speed, but the display is a bit small and the unit is not waterproof, so you need a good bag for it. You will also be able to extract a file for speed stats, overlay the track on google earth etc. Plenty of info in another thread on this forum.

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
13 Mar 2016 2:53PM
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If the GW52 is too 'techie' for you then so is the Canmore, and any other GPS for that matter.

The GW52 is by far the best GPS for sailing that you can obtain now the GT-31 is not in production anymore. The Canmore is marginally adequate in comparison.

If you just want to see your speeds while you sail, nothing is really easy to see, but the Logit app in an Android phone is pretty close and will talk to you so you don't really need to see it all the time. Just be aware that you can't rely on it's speeds to be accurate/real all the time and it therefore is not adequate for posting.

Simon100
QLD, 490 posts
13 Mar 2016 10:44PM
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you probably want one of those garmin watches there easy to read on you wrist but cost a fair bit

N1GEL
NSW, 861 posts
14 Mar 2016 8:13PM
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Suunto Ambit watches are very simple to use, easy to read the speeds etc, not too expensive, waterproof and as accurate as anything else around. The Suunto website is excellent too for organising and analysing your sessions and tracks etc.

Review here: www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/04/suunto-ambit2-review.html

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
15 Mar 2016 9:23AM
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N1GEL said..
Suunto Ambit watches are very simple to use, easy to read the speeds etc, not too expensive, waterproof and as accurate as anything else around. The Suunto website is excellent too for organising and analysing your sessions and tracks etc.

Review here: www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/04/suunto-ambit2-review.html


This watch is optimised for running, swimming and Cycling. Even the manufacturers do not say it is for windsurfing and make no attempt to cater for our specific needs. I have just read the whole review linked above and there is no mention of it's speed accuracy or even if it is capable of saving Doppler derived speed data which is vital for windsurfing speed accuracy.

In short, if you are a triathlete, it may well be a very useful device, but for windsurfing it is neither recommended or allowed for posting on GPS-TC.

Testing to date of GPS watches, even those that may have (we can't confirm) Doppler speed recording, indicates that they certainly are not 'as accurate as anything else around'.

The gold standard for GPS windsurfing is still the Locosys GT-31 (discontinued) and the Locosys GW-52.

Other devices that have the potential to be superior for our uses are in the pipeline now but it may be a year or more before they are widely available.

Roo
876 posts
15 Mar 2016 6:56AM
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Daffy going to have to dock you marks for not reading the question correctly.

"I'm on the kite foil Wagon but thought this would be the best place to ask.. I'm after something to give current speed,top speed and maybe even track routes.."

Coxy31 never mentioned anything about posting to GPSTC, he can't because as he says he's a kiter, riding a foil. He wants a screen that he can see his speed on, top speed and to record some tracks. The Suunto Ambit is fine for that.

Please don't tell him he has to wear it on his head, he'll never see the display!

John340
QLD, 3363 posts
15 Mar 2016 10:36AM
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If all you want is real time feedback on speed and a record of tracks, you can't go past an android phone with the GPS-Logit app. The phone, app, H2OAudio X1 Amphib waterproof bag and earphones will set you back around $200. You get a device that is accurate to about 0.5 kts, that can process and display results for each session and provide a file you can analyse in GPS-Results or KA72 and store on your computer. As Sailquik says, it's not accurate enough for posting on GPSTC, but would easily suit your less demanding needs.

N1GEL
NSW, 861 posts
15 Mar 2016 2:40PM
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sailquik said..


N1GEL said..
Suunto Ambit watches are very simple to use, easy to read the speeds etc, not too expensive, waterproof and as accurate as anything else around. The Suunto website is excellent too for organising and analysing your sessions and tracks etc.

Review here: www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/04/suunto-ambit2-review.html


This watch is optimised for running, swimming and Cycling. Even the manufacturers do not say it is for windsurfing and make no attempt to cater for our specific needs. I have just read the whole review linked above and there is no mention of it's speed accuracy or even if it is capable of saving Doppler derived speed data which is vital for windsurfing speed accuracy.

In short, if you are a triathlete, it may well be a very useful device, but for windsurfing it is neither recommended or allowed for posting on GPS-TC.

Testing to date of GPS watches, even those that may have (we can't confirm) Doppler speed recording, indicates that they certainly are not 'as accurate as anything else around'.

The gold standard for GPS windsurfing is still the Locosys GT-31 (discontinued) and the Locosys GW-52.

Other devices that have the potential to be superior for our uses are in the pipeline now but it may be a year or more before they are widely available.


YAWN

Daffy, how many sessions have you recorded using a Suunto? None! Oh well I guess your arguements have no basis or credit. I, OTOH, have worn a Suunto along side my GT31 for 2 years and the differences was never more than +/- 0.05 kts in any category compared to my GT31. I don't understand how you can possibly comment on the accuracy when you have no experience with this device. Go do some testing of the Suunto and come back to me with tangible arguments, until then stop being such a pedant, mate, it's getting old and really boring. Shhheesh!!

Besides all that, Coxy31 is kiteboarder who wants something that provides easily readable feedback while blasting on the water. A watch (IMO) is the best solution.

mathew
QLD, 2133 posts
17 Mar 2016 7:25AM
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Select to expand quote
Roo said..
Daffy going to have to dock you marks for not reading the question correctly.

"I'm on the kite foil Wagon but thought this would be the best place to ask.. I'm after something to give current speed,top speed and maybe even track routes.."

Coxy31 never mentioned anything about posting to GPSTC, he can't because as he says he's a kiter, riding a foil. He wants a screen that he can see his speed on, top speed and to record some tracks. The Suunto Ambit is fine for that.

Please don't tell him he has to wear it on his head, he'll never see the display!f


Interesting... I read that as "I am kiting using a foil, If I wanted to know what to use for kiting I would have asked in the GPS-Kitesurfing forums... but I am moving over to this sport, so thought I'd post to the windsurfing forum".

How fast we are to be smart-arses... Seems apparent that people have different interpretation of context.

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
17 Mar 2016 8:26AM
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Thanks for pointing that out Roo. I didn't read it well enough. Yeah, any old crap will do for what the OP want's.

Nigel. If you have side by side data that compared the Suunto watch with the GT-31, send it in for evaluation by people who know what they are doing and make your case.

It is still not currently allowed for GPS-TC posting, regardless of how much you 'like' it.

Are you a Suunto salesman or something? Whats your angle?

mathew
QLD, 2133 posts
17 Mar 2016 7:42AM
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N1GEL said..
Daffy, how many sessions have you recorded using a Suunto? None! Oh well I guess your arguements have no basis or credit. I, OTOH, have worn a Suunto along side my GT31 for 2 years and the differences was never more than +/- 0.05 kts in any category compared to my GT31. I don't understand how you can possibly comment on the accuracy when you have no experience with this device. Go do some testing of the Suunto and come back to me with tangible arguments, until then stop being such a pedant, mate, it's getting old and really boring. Shhheesh!!


Your own post here says otherwise: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-920XT-Windsurfing-activity/?page=4

N1GEL
NSW, 861 posts
17 Mar 2016 8:45AM
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sailquik said..
Thanks for pointing that out Roo. I didn't read it well enough. Yeah, any old crap will do for what the OP want's.

Nigel. If you have side by side data that compared the Suunto watch with the GT-31, send it in for evaluation by people who know what they are doing and make your case.

It is still not currently allowed for GPS-TC posting, regardless of how much you 'like' it.

Are you a Suunto salesman or something? Whats your angle?



I have no vested interest in Suunto.. I just think they're a great GPS watch. And actually, I purchased a Garmin purely for its aesthetics, but I still think the Suunto is the better device even though I no longer use one.

As for sending the files in. I've already done that with my Garmin and while they were checked , nothing has ever come of it. Why is that?

Anyway, I don't want to start a b1tch fight. I'm just sick of hearing people's negativity about GPS watches when they have no experience with them.

N1GEL
NSW, 861 posts
17 Mar 2016 8:55AM
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mathew said..





N1GEL said..
Daffy, how many sessions have you recorded using a Suunto? None! Oh well I guess your arguements have no basis or credit. I, OTOH, have worn a Suunto along side my GT31 for 2 years and the differences was never more than +/- 0.05 kts in any category compared to my GT31. I don't understand how you can possibly comment on the accuracy when you have no experience with this device. Go do some testing of the Suunto and come back to me with tangible arguments, until then stop being such a pedant, mate, it's getting old and really boring. Shhheesh!!







Your own post here says otherwise: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-920XT-Windsurfing-activity/?page=4






The thread you've pointed to is about Garmin watches not Suunto watches. Here I'm talking about the accuracy of Suunto watches.

Anyway, I'm really over this whole topic of GPS devices. I always use a GT31 anyway so I'm going to save my energy for windsurfing rather than going round in circles about this.

All the best with it guys.

mathew
QLD, 2133 posts
17 Mar 2016 8:19AM
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N1GEL said..
mathew said..
N1GEL said..
Daffy, how many sessions have you recorded using a Suunto? None! Oh well I guess your arguements have no basis or credit. I, OTOH, have worn a Suunto along side my GT31 for 2 years and the differences was never more than +/- 0.05 kts in any category compared to my GT31. I don't understand how you can possibly comment on the accuracy when you have no experience with this device. Go do some testing of the Suunto and come back to me with tangible arguments, until then stop being such a pedant, mate, it's getting old and really boring. Shhheesh!!


Your own post here says otherwise: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-920XT-Windsurfing-activity/?page=4


The thread you've pointed to is about Garmin watches not Suunto watches. Here I'm talking about the accuracy of Suunto watches.

Anyway, I'm really over this whole topic of GPS devices. I always use a GT31 anyway so I'm going to save my energy for windsurfing rather than going round in circles about this.

All the best with it guys.


And so it was.... I stand corrected.

powersloshin
NSW, 1836 posts
17 Mar 2016 10:24AM
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lack of wind or windy days while in the office turns windsurfers into monsters

DavMen
NSW, 1508 posts
17 Mar 2016 10:46AM
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If there is one single thing you will need in GPSTC its a sheep station

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
17 Mar 2016 11:00AM
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N1GEL said..

I have no vested interest in Suunto.. I just think they're a great GPS watch. And actually, I purchased a Garmin purely for its aesthetics, but I still think the Suunto is the better device even though I no longer use one.

As for sending the files in. I've already done that with my Garmin and while they were checked , nothing has ever come of it. Why is that?

Anyway, I don't want to start a b1tch fight. I'm just sick of hearing people's negativity about GPS watches when they have no experience with them.


I have no argument that those watches are really great for what they are designed for.

Decrepit has posted some statistical comparisons in www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-920XT-Windsurfing-activity/?page=5

Maybe he has not got around to comparing yours yet? He has sent me some files also but not sure if they include yours. I have not felt I had the time to really get into looking at them whilst travelling and do the analysis justice.

So far, Decrepit's comparisons show that there are some too large variations in the Garmin watch data compared with the GT-31. But keep the data coming. More samples lead to better understanding.

I guess it's like the mechanic that can look at the design and specifications of the Aston Martin and the Hyundai Getz and he does not have to drive them to tell you which one will perform better on a racetrack.

If I were a runner, or triathlete, there would be no doubt that I would choose one of those watches.

John340
QLD, 3363 posts
17 Mar 2016 10:39AM
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There appears to be a few knickers in a twist over this issue. We should be pleased, although in my case sometimes confused, when the GPS-TC technical committee is prepared to publicly discuss their deliberations on the efficacy of various GPS units. It's disappointing that this openness has lead to some bitterness and recrimination. It might be worthwhile looking at the context of how the current rules regarding GPS units have been established.

GPSTC (based in Australia) and GP3S (based in Europe) are volunteer organisations and web sites that were established to facilitate the downloading, analysis and comparison of GPS tracks across a number of divisions (2sec, 5X10, hour, alpha, Nm, distance). These web sites provide a means to compare results of different windsurfers from different locations at different times. In order to create a level playing field, both organisations have developed rules for GPS devices that are approved for posting result. The rules from both organisations are copied below. They are the result of testing and analysis by the volunteer technical committees of both organisations. Its not surprising they are remarkably similar which would suggest a consistent approach by both organisations.

GPS Team Challenge (GPS-TC)

The following GPS's are considered valid for the purposes of the challenge (most preferable at the top, least preferable at the bottom):
- Thingsee One GPS3 edition
- GW-52NAVI GT-31 (uses 1 sec recording intervals)
- NAVI GT-11 (uses 1 sec recording intervals)
- Canmore GP-102

Check out discussions on Seabreeze for more information or to get help from the GPSTC community. Other GPS units can be approved by the technical advisers of the challenge. All software should be set to "Doppler if available" for all categories.

Approved GPS devices for posting on GPS-TC:
We have some concerns about the accuracy, and therefore fairness of the use of the GPS-Logit app for posting in the GPS-TC using current model Android Phones. Hence so much testing and comparison as you can see in other Seabreeze threads.
The current policy of GPS-TC is that GT-31 should be used for posting Doppler based data (D) by individuals and team members vying for the top positions.
The GW-52 is also approved for use in the same way using 5hz logging*.
GPS-TC also allows the legacy pre GT-31 GPS (mainly Garmin) that only produced speed results from positional data (T), but only for those sailors not in the category mentioned above.
The Canmore has been approved for use as it sits somewhere in between those already mentioned. It has the potential accuracy of the GT-31 as it is a Doppler based device, but it has very limited verifiability. If you are posting results that are counted in the team challenge in a competitive team you should inspect the results closely in a stand alone analysis program (GPS-Results/GPSAR-Pro/RealSpeed) for unusual results and errors. Preferably, team captains to the team 'tech guru' should help with this, and if there is any doubt the files should be sent to one of the GPS-TC technical advisors for a second or third opinion.

* The best mode for accuracy in the GW-52 is setting it to 5hz logging. The 1hz setting should be avoided as it can introduce aliasing issues as the data does not appear to be processed in the same way as in the GT-31. 'Smart logging' should not be used for posting. (based on recommendation by Manfred Fuchs as a result of his testing). Some issues with processing Alphas from 5hz GW-52 data have also been observed with the current version of RealSpeed only. GPSAR-Pro, GPS-Results and KA-72 seem to produce accurate results.

Sessions for the teams will be submitted by either the team captain, or the individual user. Session results need to be supplied monthly, though every session in a month can be submitted, and the computer data base will calculate which is the best speed to be recorded for the month.. Each team score will be rank ordered against other teams and a score awarded in each category from lowest to highest. eg. if there are 16 teams in a given category that have submitted a time these will be awarded points according to rank ordering. from a 1 for best time/speed, to 16 for worst. This is done in each category, with the team having the lowest points for the month, being the leading team for the month.


GPS-Speedsurfing (GP3S)

Since the introduction of GPS-Speedsurfing.com we have used several approved GPS-Devices, in recent years we switched over to Doppler supported devices, first introduced with the GT-11 and later the GT-31. Sadly the production of the GT-31 has reached the “End of Life” status, so the availability will be very limited in the next months.

Our Technology team has been working on other GPS-Devices in the last months, and we have been working on several parallel tracks. The first track is focused on the development of a new High-End GPS Devices, capable to measure with Doppler GPS functionality. This High-End Device will is based on the ThingSee, and is equipped with our own custom software, making it fully equipped for our special features like the 10 seconds run, the Nautical Mile, Alpha speeds, etc etc.

It's available for pre-sale rigjht now on http://shop.gps-speedsurfing.com/p/67/thingsee-one-gp3s-edition-v1

The second track that we working on is the use of other GPS Devices, most import device that will be on the market will be the Locosystech GX-52. This device already has been approved and we are very happy that Locosystech again produces a custom products with special GPS-Speedsurfing.com firmware on it out of the box. You can buy the device at several online & offline stores.

Besides that we have worked on standard devices, we realize that this standard devices will never reach the high-end specifications of Doppler GPS, but for normal day-to-day use, and the average surf-sessions this devices could be a nice alternative for some windsurfers. We are exploring the possibilities of enhancing the software of “standard” GPS-Devices. Target is to reach the current standards of GPS logging at GPS-Speedsurfing.com, so making it possible to measure at a 1 per second rate, and log the number of satellites.

In general we allow any GPS Devices that’s is capable of logging GPS Data with a sample rate of 1 per second and support the .GPX data format. Please notice that the use of .GPX format is not allowed for records, and is more suited for normal day-to-day surf sessions. The only fully approved format at this stage are the .SBN, .SBP & .UBX format.

For speedfreaks that already own a Android phone a good alternative good be the App GPS Logit, www.gps-speed.com/gpslogit.html , this App is still under development by Manfred Fuchs, and could be a good alternative for starting speedsurfers. The App produces doppler speeds, at the same quality level of the old GT-11.

decrepit
WA, 12765 posts
17 Mar 2016 12:34PM
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expecting miracles from silly old farts is going to lead to disappointment, (not that I'm implying anything about daffy here)

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
17 Mar 2016 4:42PM
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decrepit said..
expecting miracles from silly old farts is going to lead to disappointment, (not that I'm implying anything about daffy here)


HEY! I resemble that comment!

martyj4
533 posts
31 Mar 2016 1:11PM
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Hi guys. I do a lot of windsurfing using a Suunto GPS watch. I also use it for mountain biking, kayaking etc and it's really good. It's reasonably easy to read while on the water (large digits), and you don't have to worry about dunking it (waterproof). It seems to track very well and the Suunto website where you download the data is pretty good for seeing your stats.
If there's a drawback, I'd say it's that the watch doesn't seem to have a top speed function on it where you can see the recorded top speed while recording a session (well, I'm not a tech savvy person, so you may be able to do it, but I'm not sure how). To see the top speed, you have to stop the session on the watch and then go through the stats (or download it and you'll see it there). It also records your fastest KM.
So it's good for windsurfing and multisports, but it might not work as well as other devices which seem more specifically tailored to windsurfing GPS. Plus it's pretty expensive.




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"Recommendation for gps speed/top speed" started by coxy31