GPS Logger advice

[Paul Frost]

I know this has been discussed before, but technology moves fast in this arena.

EckO are thinking of buying several units that we can loan to members to improve the debrief/analysis with a coach after a run.

So we need simple durable units that just work, without any strange quirks or unreliable connections that have been reported in previous threads. Having experienced frustration getting Bluetooth accessories to pair in the past I would prefer USB to transfer the data but Bluetooth seems more common.

Reliability/quality are more important than price, so we are not looking for a super cheap bargain from eBay.

Does anyone have experience of regular use of a particular brand/model that they would recommend?

[Scott]

I have this (the basic USB version), and have been very pleased with it. It's pretty cheap (I paid £20 from Maplins) and robust, uses the SiRF StarIII chipset (the same as the Garmins, I think), and has simple controls (one button - hold it down to turn on, hold it down again to turn off). Long battery life is another bonus. It does take a little while to acquire signal, so you need to remember to turn it on before jogging to the start, but that's the only downside I've noticed.

EDIT: and the bundled software is a bit rubbish, but it does the job of downloading data from the device and exporting to .gpx easily enough so you can import to SportTracks or RouteGadget etc.

[phillbatts]

Paul,

EMIT UK have used a really robust unit just as you are looking for. We have used them very sucessfully on this year's 10 tors challenge to track all 400 teams across Dartmoor see the tracks at: http://tracker.eseye.net/event.php?e=58cb438d3f367651842c3466fb1954d6
and they are currently being trialed by Open Adventure for their major event this summer details at: http://www.openadventure.com/lakes24/. The tracks can be imported directly into OCAD 10 without adjustment or viewed as in the links LIVE via a smart phone so can be ideal for coaching athletes

If you would like more details please contact me via phill@emituk.com

[Miner]

I've been trying to use an iBlue 747A+ GPS logger. The software that came with it seems very unhelpful and I got nowhere with it so I tried using BT747 downloaded from the internet which seems to make more sense and talks to the logger and tells me it has data on the logger and puts it (or pretends to put it?) in a bin file but when I try to convert to a GPX file it tells me there is no data.

Can anyone offer some advice? Or even better - step by step foolproof guide to initialising logger and downloading data

[NeilC]

http://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/index/articles/experiments-with-a-gps-logger-iblue-747a

I can pass on an e-mail address if you would like to contact the author directly.

[RichardE]

We've been using a very simple inexpensive logger called the Ventus G730 - there's probably a new model now. Just logs your track, no readout or anything. You upload to your computer with the software supplied - allows you to edit a track, view in Google Earth, or export as gpx
Pretty useless in forest, better in open areas. Quite a useful gadget, given the inherent limitations of gps anyway.

[Miner]

Thanks NeilC. I read the Southdowns article before opting for the 747A+. I would be grateful for the email address so I can see how things progressed in the Southdowns trial.

[NeilC]

Your PM is disabled - send me an e-mail (eg via SO club captain) and I'll forward.

[Miner]

I have (hopefully) enabled PM