How far, how fast and where you went.

[vnx205]

I have just bought a new toy that some others might find useful. It could have uses for bike riders, hikers, power walkers, kayakers or any other activity where it is useful to know things like how far, how fast and where you cycled, paddled or walked. Actually it isn't just a toy, it serves a very useful purpose.

It looks like this.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1298.jpg

It is a GPS data logger. Its purpose is not to help you navigate, but to record your position at set intervals, so that you know where you have been.

I have been trying to motivate myself to get a bit fitter and improve my times in kayak races and time trials. The first step was to build myself a faster strip built kayak than any I had previously built. I wanted something that would give me feedback about whether I was improving my technique and my performance.

I was sure the Minister for Finance would look askance at any suggestion that I should spend the $250 to $350 that most watch style GPS data loggers cost. However, I found this one that is designed primarily for bike riders, but is suitable for a number of other outdoor activities. It cost $79.99 and seems to give me all the information I want. I was also concerned that I would have difficulty reading the display on the tiny screens of the expensive watch style of GPS or data logger.

It can display a number of pages. The one that I like to have visible while paddling shows the current speed and the distance travelled. The other useful ones show the maximum speed with current speed, and the distance with elapsed time.

The firmware seems to have been changed because it doesn't show the average on the page with the maximum speed as in the image above. The new arrangement suits me better.

Apart from displaying the data while paddling, it also allows the data to be downloaded to my computer so that the track can be superimposed on a map and so that statistics about distance, time and average speed can be displayed. I can also produce graphs of the speed during the journey.

The following image illustrates what can be done with the data using the particular free software that I chose.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/7/16/2005444/Screenshot.jpg

I know the speeds are not impressive and I know that we stop a lot, but this paddle was our regular Friday morning social paddle, not a race or a training run.

More information is available here.
Review - Holux GPSport 245 — Vancruisers.ca - Vancouver Cruiser Bike Club! Cruiser Calendar, Vancouver Cruiser Rides (http://vancruisers.ca/Members/bhughes/blog/review-holux-gpsport-245)

and here.
HOLUX - The Pro Name in GPS (http://www.holux.com/JCore/en/products/products_content.jsp?pno=349)

[s7000]

GPS trackers are great!

I use my phone though, there are many programs that do the same thing which take out the need for buying the GPS tracker too. I found an app called Endomondo which has worked really well for me.

Definitely a very useful tool for documenting my rides. :)

[vnx205]

Even in the time I spent looking for something to do the job I had in mind, I discovered quite a few different tools available.

Even if I had an expensive phone with GPS capability, I might hesitate to attach it to the deck of a kayak being paddled on salt water. :)

With so many different pieces of equipment available, it should be possible for most people to find one that suits their particular needs.

I found a lot of devices that were well above the price I was prepared to pay and was delighted to find one with all the features I wanted at such a reasonable price.

I don't need maps on the unit itself, so that meant I didn't need to look at the more advanced models.

I guess the only risk I am taking is that since it was specifically designed for bike riders, it is IPX-6 waterproof rather than IPX-7, which apparently means that water can safely be sprayed on it from any direction, but it should not be fully submerged. Several cyclists reported that they had frequently ridden in heavy rain with no problems, so as long as I stay upright, my data logger should survive. :)

[goingbush]

Heres one I prepared earlier.
I use a SPOT tracker velcroed to the dashboard. (its also waterproof & even floats)

SpotWalla - Trip Viewer - 2010 Outback Trip (http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1aa44c3e454cdfe25)

Tho this is Archived I'll be Doing a similar live tracking map on my next trip so family etc can see where I am / last was if something goes wrong
.
Click '% Fill' on the left to 'ALL' and you get spots 10 mins apart but you have to zoom right in to make it useful

The green dots are daily OK button hits, i.e. Campsites.

[s7000]

Ah yes, water resistance. Didn't think about that. I just throw the phone in the backpack and away I go.

As for the unit you have, just throw it in Tupperware box after you start it. :p

[vnx205]

Heres one I prepared earlier.
I use a SPOT tracker velcroed to the dashboard. (its also waterproof & even floats)


That is impressive. I notice that you didn't call in to Trephina Gorge, N'Dhala Gorge or Ruby Gap. :D

I bet you paid more than $79.99 for that. :D:D