Power Kite Forum

GPS, what are you all using?

Pablo - 21-7-2019 at 06:52 PM

Looking to pick up a GPS system for the buggy. I don't need anything fancy, all I really need is max speed and current speed. Average speed and distance traveled would not be a bad thing. Must be water resistant or ideally water proof due to the conditions at the local buggys spot.

What's out there for a fair price?

Blitzhound - 21-7-2019 at 09:00 PM

Garmin Etrex 10

Kamikuza - 22-7-2019 at 04:04 AM

Have a Garmin 60CSx but it's not really rated for the water, so I just got a Suunto Ambit3. And a new foil board, so naturally it's been raining since they arrived :mad:

Randy - 22-7-2019 at 04:59 AM

Garmin Etrex10 for me as well.

Windstruck - 22-7-2019 at 05:50 AM

A number of us use the Garmin eTrex 20x. You can find it on sale from time to time. Good basic workhorse. A quick Google search just had it going for $150 on a bunch of sites. Might be able to get one used on eBay, etc.

If you want to mount it on your buggy then one great way to go is with RAM parts:

https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-HOL-GA48U

The part I linked you to is just one of three parts you'll need. The other two are the arm and the clamp. The specifics on those will depend on your actual buggy, where you want to mount it, etc.

Chook - 22-7-2019 at 06:21 AM

Yes a Garmin Etrex H (was really hungry on batterys) for a start, and then a Garmin Etrex 10 has served me well on the swan-neck of the buggy. (About 24hour battery life with Heavy Duty AA batterys)

I have used a Suunto Ambit 2 watch for over 3 years now and these are fantastic.
When your kiting it's big display on your wrist tells you how hard to sheet in for max speed.
Battery lasts around 9 hours with GPS updating once a second.

TEDWESLEY - 22-7-2019 at 09:17 AM

I've been using the Garmin Foretrex series for years and several models. Waterproof wrist wearable, large display, sensitive
receiver easy to mount or stow it in your pack.

RedSky - 22-7-2019 at 04:16 PM

Garmin Etrex 10 here too...although just to be different I have three.

Blitzhound - 22-7-2019 at 04:59 PM

I will State that i had the Etrex 20 but i ended up losing it somewhere. then moved, still not found so i got an etrex 10. I have to say the etrex 10 has served me just as well as the Etrex 20, at a much lower cost. I picked it up used on Ebay for $60. the 20 does have a color screen and more internal memory. not worth the extra money to me. i mainly use it to track distance traveled and speed. i dont make waypoints or save track lines.

Windstruck - 22-7-2019 at 07:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Blitzhound  
I will State that i had the Etrex 20 but i ended up losing it somewhere. then moved, still not found so i got an etrex 10. I have to say the etrex 10 has served me just as well as the Etrex 20, at a much lower cost. I picked it up used on Ebay for $60. the 20 does have a color screen and more internal memory. not worth the extra money to me. i mainly use it to track distance traveled and speed. i dont make waypoints or save track lines.


Gotsta agree with this comment. I got the 20 and would have been absolutely fine with the 10.

Chook - 22-7-2019 at 11:24 PM

Just a heads up I have had 2 Etrex destroyed before I found the problem.
The screens went partially black and they were wrapped in pairs of socks in my case while flying so couldn't possibly be crushed.

After talking to some camera guys it turns out that I was leaving the back battery cover in place/sealed up. So when I flew on my domestic flights and being a smaller 32 seat plane the baggage hold isn't pressurized. The depressurization was blowing the screens out from inside. I simply insert a piece of paper now to hold the battery cover off it's O-ring seals and my 2 Etrex10's and gopro cameras are ok.

BeamerBob - 23-7-2019 at 06:06 AM

I use a Delorme Earthmate. I love the RAM mounts available for them. It's full featured and offers customizable fields on the display. Mine was used to verify Brian Holgate's speed record and is pictured on Popeye's record site.

Windstruck - 23-7-2019 at 06:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
I use a Delorme Earthmate. I love the RAM mounts available for them. It's full featured and offers customizable fields on the display. Mine was used to verify Brian Holgate's speed record and is pictured on Popeye's record site.


So that's Brian's secret to speed! :lol:

nate76 - 23-7-2019 at 11:09 AM

I like the Garmin Fenix 2. You can wear it on your wrist or wrap it around one of your bars.

Pablo - 23-7-2019 at 07:19 PM

Thanks for the ideas, probably going to pick one up on payday.

m00ms - 25-7-2019 at 03:06 AM

Garmin edge 200 for me and I have it in a joggers mp3 arm band so it is secured to my buggy neck in seconds and protected

skimtwashington - 25-7-2019 at 09:13 AM



I use the Guesstimater 2019...accurate to with 10 miles per hour or within 10 mile distance..give or take.

TEDWESLEY - 26-7-2019 at 05:11 AM

Where do you put the batteries???

Windstruck - 26-7-2019 at 08:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TEDWESLEY  
Where do you put the batteries???


You know what they say about batteries: "Store in a dark, cool place." :moon:

new garmin etrex 10

Jason-G - 26-7-2019 at 09:45 AM

I decided to purchase on since I have been interested in determining how fast I go. Mainly was only interested in speed and distance but now after having it a few days I am realizing there are many things that it can do that I was not aware of. So far I have not attached it to the buggy yet (I am waiting on a mounting kit to arrive) but listed below are two things I found out that seem really cool.

1. You can go to the website extract.bbbike.org and create a very detailed area specific map that can the be installed on the etrex 10.

2. When you start a new session it keeps track of where you went. This file can be dropped into google earth and it shows your path. This should be really cool with a buggy session. This morning I took a walk on the beach where I ride. Hopefully you can see the attached file.

Jason

Screenshot from 2019-07-26 12-17-23.jpeg - 58kB