Competitor Tracking

Michael Posted: 10 March 2011, 6:32 AM   In 2009 we had a discussion of competitor tracking. The topic was Remote Live Tracking of Competitors http://www.maptalk.co.nz/forum/topic.cfm?t=1477&f=1 I think it would be useful to spin off discussion of non-live tracking (eg tracking with after-the-run download for analysis or determining control visits). Bryan and I have shown that its easy in principle to compare a GPS track against the coordinates of control points, to see whether the track went through (with some tolerance) the points and to generate splits. The next steps will be worthwhile when "black-box" GPS loggers with suitable accuracy become small and cheap enough to rival SI cards and Emit bricks. I expect there are people out there who know about these things. What's happened in this market over the last couple of years? I think there's probably a price point of about $100 above which it would be hard to persuade competitors to own them. I asked my GPS supplier and he suggested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEeRO2vrZI Jagge (Finland) and Kiwiclimber (Sweden) what specific devices are you using? This message was edited by Michael on 10 March 2011, 2:38 PM   Michael Posted: 24 July 2011, 1:08 PM   Looks like these guys who run urban score events have a set of trackers into which they load the control points. http://getlostxx.com/Mill_Valley/Street_Scramble/2011#Experience Elsewhere they recommend the Qstarz BT-Q1300ST: http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS%20Products/BT-Q1300ST-F.htm But too expensive yet, looks like USD100   Jagge Posted: 25 July 2011, 11:51 AM   I use Globalsat BT-355. It is discontinued, replaced by equally good BT-338x (~50 euros here). Some comparison data here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=180287201987418&set=a.180287198654085.49663.177518995597572&type=1&theater and here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=216504648365673&set=a.180287198654085.49663.177518995597572&type=1&theater I use it together with Suunto t6d altimeter/hr monitor and a head cam to make videos of my O races http://www.youtube.com/user/XCJagge What it comes to gps the most important thing is a big antenna. Most small lightweight units has all too small antenna. That's why I use "big" bt-355, it has a good antenna. But I replaced the battery to make it slim and to cut the weight down to 40g (now it runs only 4.5 hours).   Jagge Posted: 25 July 2011, 11:52 AM   Typo, BT-335 (not 355)   Michael Posted: 25 July 2011, 1:46 PM   Thanks Jagge. Appreciate your contributions on Attackpoint. Looks like the BT-338X is about $130NZ. Still a bit above the magic $100 but about the price of a fast SI card, and cheaper than a GPS with bells and whistles.   Greig Posted: 25 July 2011, 1:53 PM   I use an i-gotU GT-600, it's a basic datalogger with software to download the gpx track. Lasts for over 24hrs with 1sec recording. Just under your $100NZ mark. There is also a smaller GT-120 which is about $60US and probably cheaper if you have a look around. http://www.amazon.com/i-gotU-USB-Travel-Sports-Logger/dp/B0035VESMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311587420&sr=1-1 http://www.i-gotu.com/