GPS: Am I cheating?

[jondub]

I use a Forerunner 201 at most events, but only for tracking my route. I can't say that I ever look at it during an event (except as a stop watch), and it has a number of problems. It isn't very accurate, and frequently loses the GPS signal when running in trees. There is no way that it could ever be faster to use this rather than traditional navigation. Having said that, the ability to download the route is very valuable for post race analysis. It is interesting to note that it isn't always the way that I 'thought' that I had gone.

I don't think banning these units is really practical, the more modern ones look exactly like a watch or heart rate monitor, and start crews would have to be trained to inspect all watches to determine what features they have. Attempts at banning technology are always a bit problematic. I believe that in the US they bought in a rule saying that headlights had to be 20W or less. The only problem was that technology moved on and extremely bright HiD lights are now available, and are legal as they are only rated at 10-12W.

If the units gave a clear competitive advantage or might cause the sport to change, there may be an argument for a ban, but not right now.

[FromTheGrassyKnoll]

I believe that in the US they bought in a rule saying that headlights had to be 20W or less. The only problem was that technology moved on and extremely bright HiD lights are now available, and are legal as they are only rated at 10-12W.

Slightly off topic but...

"HID headlamp bulbs do not run on low-voltage DC current, so they require a ballast with either an internal or external ignitor. The ballast controls the current to the bulb. When the headlamps are switched on, the ignitor provides rapidly pulsed current at several thousand volts to initiate the arc between the electrodes within the bulb. Once the arc is started, its heat begins to vapourise the metallic salts within the arc chamber, and the ballast gradually transitions from startup operation to arc-maintenance operation. Once the arc is completely stabilised, the ballast provides 85v in conventional D1 and D2 systems, or 42v with Mercury-free D3 and D4 systems."

Does that mean people in the US are attaching gadgets to their heads that generate a 1000v pulse when they turn them on? That's pretty scary.

[jondub]

I've no idea how the HiD head light works, but mine is rated as '50w halogen equivalent' or something like that. It is very bright and the battery (although a bit heavy) lasts for over 4 hours, so it is perfect for Night-O.

My point is that trying to ban technology is very difficult.

[Adventure Racer]

Does that mean people in the US are attaching gadgets to their heads that generate a 1000v pulse when they turn them on? That's pretty scary.

Yes, that is the way they work. Very low current capabilities though, so not really dangerous even if it goes wrong.

Whilst we're on the subject, my 20W halogen has just been retired since my 8W LED is brighter than that - next step is a 16W version which will be brighter than jondub's HID (but without the heavy battery), but still US Orienteering legal No nasty high voltages with LEDs either.

[Steve]

And while we're off-topic, what is your head torch AR? Sounds fantastic, better than any high intensity LED head torch I've seen.

[Adventure Racer]

In the best tradtions of Nopesport, we have in the space of 6 posts gone completely OT!

My new headtorch is a homemade job, using 3 of these high power LEDs to give a nominal 400lumens. In theory no better than a 20W halogen, but in reality the light quality is noticeably better. Running it on a 2 cell LiIon battery which weighs <100g, but gives me 2 hours runtime.

More details on it: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... p?t=147395

[FromTheGrassyKnoll]

"GPS devices may be permitted on course if and and only if such devices are used for route recording and cannot be used for navigational purposes. All such GPS devices should be approved by the organizer before competition start. "

Not a rule from Foot-O but from Radio-O. (Which has probably a higher GPS/competitor ratio?)

[FromTheGrassyKnoll]

"...cannot be used for navigational purposes...

Maybe that doesn't make sense for a GPS. Oh well at least it brings the topic back to GPS...

[Safety]

It may seem a bit silly resurrecting a debate that seems to have finished 3 years ago. Admittedly, it is probably 2 years since I last posted on here.

I have just finished flicking through the latest edition of 'Focus', the newest BOF magazine to tell us what is going on. I noticed that they have finally (3 years too late) opened up this debate via the rules group. I will not post the full article here, instead I will refer you to page 28 of the autumn 2009 edition (The cover shows GG at the World Champs).

They are basically asking for opinions from ALL Orienteers and so I feel that directing them to this web forum would be an excellent way to show people’s opinions, (and how they might have changed over the last few years.

Feel free to add comments or re-kindle your own view point.

[Safety]

I have noticed that a lot of people are now using these devices, and maybe I should re-evaluate my stance of not carrying it whist running competative events.

As I stated a long time ago, I can certainly see ways that they could be used to gain an unfair advantage, but you cannot use them as a sole aid to navigation due to the fact you cannot program them after you have picked up your map and know the course. It is still down to your judgement to choose the best route. And the most I can see people gaining is a better judge of distance travelled, (better then pacing), an indication of height and a better indication, if you need to retrace your steps which if you have to do you are already However the accuracy of them is suspect, particularly in woodland, (+/- 6metre at best). Is the potential for this information to be used serious enough to outweigh the benefits this technology can provide for people's training?

[Scott]

Guess you might have missed this if you haven't been on here recently - the Swedish Orienteering Federation has recently added to the debate by decreeing that using a GPS to measure distance and altitude will be allowed at Swedish events.