Recreational GPS
GPS is about far more than in-car navigation. Join us as we get running and cycling with seven of the latest recreational satnav marvels
It wasn’t too long ago that GPS devices were restricted to luxury cars, yachts and mountaineering expeditions. But in the last few years they’ve leapt from being ludicrously-expensive luxuries to more-affordable commodities for everyone who drives or likes bush walking or cycling.
Prices have fallen the most in the driving sector which, for the past few years, has been dominated by TomTom. The company easily won our Reliability and Service award back in January and the TomTom One has sat on our A-List, in its various iterations, for years now. But there’s also a burgeoning recreational sector.
This month we’ve gathered seven such devices split into two sections: fitness and training watches, and hiking devices, although there is some overlap between the two.
Some things are clear: firstly this fantastic technology has now well and truly matured, as have its devices. But, secondly, prices in Australia for some products are, scandalously, up to four times more than they are elsewhere in the world. To find out which should be your guide, read on.
How we test - plus the ratings explainedWe tested a wide variety of GPS-based devices in this Labs, with an incredibly broad range of features and capabilities, so coming up with meaningful tests proved to be a challenge.
PerformanceYou don’t want to be standing around on the street waiting minutes on end just to record your GPS position, so we timed how quickly each one locked on to enough satellites to provide a position. We gave extra points for devices that give some indication of progress towards this goal.
We used each device on at least one 50km round-trip cycling commute. This route takes in mostly open terrain, but finishes among tall buildings where many such devices struggle to maintain accurate position. We also took the hiking GPS devices on a bush walk. It wasn’t overly rugged terrain, but with plenty of trees hindering the devices’ line of sight it’s a challenge to hold and maintain an accurate position.
Throughout, we took note of positional accuracy (where applicable), the clarity, readability and flexibility of the screen, how comfortable the system was to wear and use, and build quality – essential for a device that’s likely to take a beating in the outdoors.
Features We assess each in the context of its respective sub-group to avoid skewing the results. So we rewarded fitness watches for their flexibility and their ability to set multiple heart-rate zones, for example. And, more importantly, we assessed the power and ease of use of their PC-based training analysis and planning tools.
The hiking devices get more points for better quality screens and route-planning abilities, and the quality and availability of on-board mapping.
Value for MoneyThe Value for Money score is based on a weighted average of the Performance and Features scores; we then factor in the cost of each device (including delivery) for a bang-per-buck result.
OverallThe Overall rating is a straight average of the Performance, Features and Value for Money scores. Occasionally, it may appear higher or lower than expected due to rounding.
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This Group Test appeared in the August, 2008 issue of PC & Tech Authority Magazine
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totoaus
30 August 2008
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Recreational GPS? Now that's an oxymoron, and a danger!
GPS is a convenient tool to help figure out where you are, and even today have an error of +- 15m (at best, it can be degraded to around +- 100m due to US military needs). Yes, GPS can be more accurate if you have differential GPS or WAAS, but almost none of Australia outside major sea ports does. DGPS requires an additional, expensive receiver that doesn't fit into mobile phones, or pocket GPSes, WAAS I think only applies on a limited scale in North America, and bits of Europe.
It is an over-dependence on technology to use them so widely. In fact, everyone of those famous stories of crashes(e.g. the GPS told him to turn so I did, resulting in a derailed train, this was an IT expert who should know better) is caused by people being overly dependent on technology. I'll tell you one thing though, the marketing proponents of GPS phones talk about how they'll help us find a restaurant (or other goal), are creating and solving a non-existant problem. If I am 15-100 m. from a destination I need, I'll find it and don't need anyone's help, especially in major cities.
The most famous non-military users of GPS is the maritime industry. Even in the 21st century (so professional mariners still tell me), after using gyrocompasses, Transit (pre GPS sat nav), LORAN, radio direction finding and many other technology tools over the years, still relies not on GPS or another electronic gizmo, but on stars, sextants and books.
I even remember a story about a recreational yachtie trapped in the Highlands up a PNG river. They had 5 GPS units on board, but refused to leave while one was faulty. At the time, they had spent 5 months waiting for parts.
Look a balanced post: one that addresses over reliance on technology, and ridiculous scepticism.
How do I know all this:
1. My Undegradute study in Maritime Electronics.
2. During my MBA study, I did REALLY well in Marketing.
3. I love all applied technology bar medical (not LANS, helpdesk and MS Office; but supercomputers, massive databases, embedded systems and other real uses of computers: as tools to do jobs.)
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Recreational GPS?
GPS is about far more than in-car navigation. Join us as we get running and cycling with seven of the latest recreational satnav marvels
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