Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Esteroali on March 09, 2017, 02:49:03 AM

Title: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 09, 2017, 02:49:03 AM
I use a Speedcoach. It is the older nonprogrammable model. I have a heart monitor but rarely use it. I keep the unit at the bow which I like because I can see it without looking down.  I don't like having to stop and crawl on my belly every time I want to stop it for an interval so I was thinking of supplementing with a GPS watch. I've never owned one. I DON'T want a fitness tracker or HR monitor. I DO want something simple with big numbers so OLD eyes can read. I'm thinking less features and functions, maybe an older model that a mature mind can easily operate.
Garmin 910 keeps popping up. As far as cost goes, I was hoping to slip it into my PayPal account without my husband notice so prolly under 250. Any opinions?

Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Area 10 on March 09, 2017, 04:06:24 AM
The Garmins are nice - I have two - but they aren't particularly intuitive to use and they aren't particularly cheap. Technical support is notoriously bad. A friend has a Tom Tom runners watch and swears by it. Easier to use. Decent display. Waterproof 50m. Pretty cheap, as these things go. I'd take a look at one if you can get it in your country.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 09, 2017, 06:37:51 AM
I was hoping to slip it into my PayPal account without my husband notice so prolly under 250. Any opinions?

Vivo active HR is probably your best choice. It goes for $219 and I've seen it for $150 on
Amazon.

Has everything you need along with it's SUP app that gives you the stroke rate,.
stroke count and distance per stroke metrics.

It has a built in HR which I rarely use but it's there regardless so I don't need to whip out
my HR belt for the off chances I want to use it.

Large Numbers on the display and a small footprint for the watch make it also very nice
and comfortable. The watch is easy to use with its touchscreen, 2 taps and I'm off to the
races. Works great with iPhone connectivity and the Free Garmin connect service
is also very useful.

My experience with Garmin support was good, but YMMV.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/538374
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: maxsonic on March 09, 2017, 03:52:46 PM
I was hoping to slip it into my PayPal account without my husband notice so prolly under 250. Any opinions?

Vivo active HR is probably your best choice. It goes for $219 and I've seen it for $150 on
Amazon.

I've had three GPS watches and my favorite by far is the Garmin Vivoactive HR. This one very easy to use compared to my other two Garmins. Seamless bluetooth connectivity to my smartphone and Garmin Connect website for data analysis.  Great for watersports, hiking, running, workouts. I'm not a golfer, but it has specialized functions for golf as well. 

MAX
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: JEG on March 09, 2017, 04:31:13 PM
value for money is the garmin forerunner 25 not the most techo but will do the job.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: PonoBill on March 10, 2017, 06:39:09 PM
You can find a vivoactive for about the same price as the forerunner that does more SUP functions--like strokerate
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: SaMoSUP on March 10, 2017, 06:49:44 PM
There are great deals on new and refurb Garmins on the link below. Refurb Forerunner 920XT for $245 or brand new for $280. Other models there as well...

http://g.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/57347/Garmin-Forerunner-920xt-Series.html

Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 11, 2017, 02:38:11 AM
Any thoughts in whether buying refurbished is safe?
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: mr_proper on March 11, 2017, 03:36:32 AM
Polar M400.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 11, 2017, 06:04:44 AM
Ordered refurnished Vivoactive HR newer model with paddle board app and got a three year extended warranty total cost 175. Direct from Garmin
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 11, 2017, 07:30:34 AM
Ordered refurnished Vivoactive HR newer model with paddle board app and got a three year extended warranty total cost 175. Direct from Garmin

Good deal. Congrats :)
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: mrbig on March 11, 2017, 08:40:19 AM
You will love it. I did buy the optional strap for more accurate HR, but the sup app is awesome. Enjoy!!
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: maxsonic on March 11, 2017, 11:05:03 AM
Garmin Connect now has a new partner, Relive.cc ( https://www.relive.cc ) , which automatically generates an aerial view of GPS track uploaded to Garmin Connect. It is intended for cyclists using GPS tracking in "Bike" mode, but it worked for me using VivoactiveHR "Run" mode...following is a track I made of a jog on the perimeter of North Island, Coronado:

https://www.relive.cc/view/g10234559125

If it works with "Run" mode, it may also work when doing GPS tracking in "SUP" mode.  Give it a try!

MAX
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Quickbeam on March 11, 2017, 12:56:33 PM
Ordered refurnished Vivoactive HR newer model with paddle board app and got a three year extended warranty total cost 175. Direct from Garmin

Congratulations! And as you said in your first post, at that price you don’t have to tell your hubbie  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: mrbig on March 11, 2017, 01:35:39 PM
 Here is a screen shot of a paddle from the windows 10 phone app. Finally fixed it.

Hopefully you are on another platform!
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 11, 2017, 02:49:57 PM
Tell my husband what  :) :D
I just hope the refurbished is ok.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on March 11, 2017, 02:56:19 PM
Nice tips guys. I also ordered a Vivoactive HR refurbished directly from Canada - yeah...
I am sure the speed is not as accurate as the Doppler on my Canmore GP-102 but I really wanted stroke information and plugging $500 on a SpeedCoach while I already have a Makai did not appeal to me at all. Especially as the SpeeCoach is not necessarily the do all, record all equipment that the price would warrant.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: PonoBill on March 11, 2017, 03:28:20 PM
Refurbished electronics are generally fine. The only things that get refurb are recently sold stuff that fails under warranty. Repairs for this kind of gear are either straightforward and reliable or impossible. So you're pretty safe. For some products refurbs are better--fixing a known problem generally means the most common failure mode is gone.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 11, 2017, 03:34:17 PM
Nice tips guys. I also ordered a Vivoactive HR refurbished directly from Canada - yeah...
I am sure the speed is not as accurate as the Doppler on my Canmore GP-102 but I really wanted stroke information and plugging $500 on a SpeedCoach while I already have a Makai did not appeal to me at all. Especially as the SpeeCoach is not necessarily the do all, record all equipment that the price would warrant.

Yes, that's the main reason I use the Vivo, it records everything my speedcoach doesn't and
sync with Garmin connect for record keeping and analysis
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on March 11, 2017, 03:37:02 PM
for record keeping and analysis

And you know that I do these :-)
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 11, 2017, 03:44:30 PM
Do you need a computer to synchronize? I don't use one.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: mrbig on March 11, 2017, 04:12:59 PM
I don't have one either! Garmin app on a smartphone IOS, Android, or Windows will do it.

And you don't need the phone with you on the water!
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: SG50SUP on March 12, 2017, 08:59:17 AM
I was hoping to slip it into my PayPal account without my husband notice so prolly under 250. Any opinions?
Has everything you need along with it's SUP app that gives you the stroke rate, stroke count and distance per stroke metrics.
It has a built in HR which I rarely use but it's there regardless..
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/538374

Sounds like a solid watch given those features!
I've been tinkering to try something else out there after 4 years of Suunto A2 and A3 + VaakaCadence for stroke accuracy.
New Suunto Spartan Ultra just seem way overpriced - thus no harm looking around I think.



SUPmission 🤙🏽
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 12, 2017, 09:07:01 AM

Sounds like a solid watch given those features!
I've been tinkering to try something else out there after 4 years of Suunto A2 and A3 + VaakaCadence for stroke accuracy.
New Suunto Spartan Ultra just seem way overpriced - thus no harm looking around I think.


Yes, no harm in that.
The VivoActive HR pretty much rendered my VaakaCadence useless.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: SG50SUP on March 12, 2017, 09:17:35 AM

Sounds like a solid watch given those features!


Yes, no harm in that.
The VivoActive HR pretty much rendered my VaakaCadence useless.

How long does battery last? Can it do route tracking?
The one feature why I'm not giving up Ambit3 yet is the navigation feature which you can program before ultra distance races like the 11CityTour.


SUPmission 🤙🏽
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 12, 2017, 10:51:17 AM

Sounds like a solid watch given those features!


Yes, no harm in that.
The VivoActive HR pretty much rendered my VaakaCadence useless.

How long does battery last? Can it do route tracking?
The one feature why I'm not giving up Ambit3 yet is the navigation feature which you can program before ultra distance races like the 11CityTour.


SUPmission 🤙🏽

Battery last me a week worth of training (4 training sessions) and all the down time
in between so pretty good.

As for route tracking it's probably asking too much at this price point. I know it has
navigation features with pre-saved locations but it's something I never use so can't
speak to that but I'll guess it's not what you're looking for.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: SG50SUP on March 12, 2017, 12:26:58 PM

Battery last me a week worth of training (4 training sessions) and all the down time
in between so pretty good.

As for route tracking it's probably asking too much at this price point. I know it has
navigation features with pre-saved locations but it's something I never use so can't
speak to that but I'll guess it's not what you're looking for.

For what it's worth, even without route navigation, it's still a great watch. I'll look it up next time at the mall.


SUPmission 🤙🏽
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Esteroali on March 20, 2017, 05:35:22 PM
So my watch came today. My brain hurts from trying to figure it out. I can't really see the face well  but I am indoors and haven't actually used it out doors. The SUP feature seems fine it you can see it when paddling. More to come.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on March 20, 2017, 07:48:33 PM
First thing I did is to change the face to white over black. works well for me.

Second, try to do most of the setup through the phone rather than on the watch.
made it easier for me.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on March 20, 2017, 07:52:43 PM
I am sure you have already seen this but just in case:

http://rideandpaddle.blogspot.ca/2016/07/sup-activity-tracker-garmin-vivoactive.html (http://rideandpaddle.blogspot.ca/2016/07/sup-activity-tracker-garmin-vivoactive.html)
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: JP4 on March 20, 2017, 11:02:24 PM
I've had the Vivoactive HR since last summer and I really like it. Besides using it for sup, surf, skiing, it's just a great watch. One of my favorite features is the automatic time zone change. I travel a lot for work so this is great. Also, it has a great vibrating alarm that would be pretty hard to sleep through as it shakes pretty good.
JP

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on May 15, 2017, 07:25:51 AM
I have been using one for a few weeks now.
I use it only to record paddle runs that I then save as a GPX and review in GPS Action Replay.
I do look at the stroke info on Garmin Connect as it seems to be teh only way to access this data.
The watch is very convenient to operate so that is a big plus but I have to say that I am somewhat dissapointed by the lack of consistency/accuracy of the speed measurements.
Setting every second recording of data shows plenty of spikes with speed measured at 20km followed by zero and these are not isolated event either so much so that big portion of the recording seem useless.
I guess I am paddling in areas where the satellite coverage might be lacking?
Setting smart recording smooth the speed data read by the software.
Coming from a $50 Doppler data recorder (Canmore 102) it seems to have produced better quality files.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Area 10 on May 15, 2017, 07:28:37 AM
I regularly find quite a big difference between the distance recorded by my Garmin Fenix 3 and my Velocitek Makai started and stopped simultaneously. Odd.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: PonoBill on May 15, 2017, 08:59:25 AM
It's doppler vs. distance/time averaging. Doppler is accurate, distance/time averaging is only accurate over longer distances and times.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on May 15, 2017, 09:01:38 AM
I regularly find quite a big difference between the distance recorded by my Garmin Fenix 3 and my Velocitek Makai started and stopped simultaneously. Odd.

Same here. My paddle on Sunday was 12.1 km based on the Makai and 11.5 km based on the VivoactiveH.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: baldbull on May 15, 2017, 02:28:13 PM
I have the vivoactive HR as well. I bought it this december for under $200 on a xmas sale. Awesome watch. I got my wife the vivosmart HR+, much better size for her. I did tons of research before I bought this watch and found it was definitely the best for my needs. I wanted something waterproof that allowed me to turn off the bluetooth when I wasn't using it.

I mostly use it for running and biking. I only surf sup so I basically use it for the time. I really like the heart rate monitor, resting heart rate, and sleep tracking. I do not wear it to sleep anymore because it was uncomfortable but I did for a few weeks to get a good idea of how I slept and it was pretty interesting. I am very excited to see where this technology goes. There is a surfing app but I have yet to be able to get it to work. My watch face shows the tides, which is pretty useful. I did look at the fitbits and they didn't even compare. The tomtoms looked decent but nothing came close to the vivoactive.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Luc Benac on May 15, 2017, 03:23:11 PM
It's doppler vs. distance/time averaging. Doppler is accurate, distance/time averaging is only accurate over longer distances and times.

500 meters over a 12 km paddle that is a big difference.....I do like the convenience and the stroke info - less so the big inaccuracy....
Of course the first peak showing 20km/h had me smiled the remaining up-teens ones not so much so.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: PonoBill on May 15, 2017, 04:08:25 PM
I regularly find quite a big difference between the distance recorded by my Garmin Fenix 3 and my Velocitek Makai started and stopped simultaneously. Odd.

Ah, I didn't notice that you said distance, I immediately thought "speed". GPS distance is another problem, sort of a "how long is the coast of england" thing. Do you want linear distance between start and end points, distance travelled using increments of feet, or maybe every 20 feet. There is a systematic bias in distance measurement depending on the algorithm used. Generally GPS distance is longer than distances measured by other means.
Title: GPS Watch
Post by: ForeverBlue232 on May 22, 2017, 11:18:36 PM
I was thinking about picking up a Garmin Fenix 3 watch.  At the race I was at Sunday, it seemed that a lot of people had a Fenix 2 or 3.  How is the accuracy relative to using the Paddle Logger app on my iPhone 7?
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: oceanAddict on May 23, 2017, 07:23:21 AM
I was thinking about picking up a Garmin Fenix 3 watch.  At the race I was at Sunday, it seemed that a lot of people had a Fenix 2 or 3.  How is the accuracy relative to using the Paddle Logger app on my iPhone 7?

I got Fenix 3 HR last fall and could not be happier. Barely take them off. Cannot tell accuracy vs iPhone as never compared it, in fact, today was a firs time I used them for SUP. I used them for walking, running, cycling, surfing before though. Here is my today's session if you want to see what statistic you're getting with watch.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1750094524

I actually happy I don't have to take a cellphone with me. I took phone once and felt nervous when I fell into the water and was not sure if phone's leash was strong enough and I didn't loose it. I like to take a bunch of pics but I decide not to bring phone with me anymore ;)

p.s. My only complaint re Fenix - if you have a big wrist and putting the watch over wetsuit's sleeve the band could be a bit short..
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: lajdesign on May 23, 2017, 12:04:19 PM
While its not a watch ( do have a fitbit blaze), I use my phone and an app I wrote called paddle assist. I am usually listening to music and so the app tells me my speed every 30 seconds and then an overall every 5 minutes. After I made that app, I made another one where zombies chase you as you paddle. Made that one more for when I run since I get bored running. Just another option.

luke

paddle
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paddle-assist-your-personal-coach-and-metronome/id1133642688?mt=8
zombie
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombie-coach-running-tool-and-game/id1198036261?mt=8
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Area 10 on May 23, 2017, 12:23:12 PM
I think the accuracy of the iPhone 7 vs Fenix 3 would probably depend on where you are, since the iPhone can use WiFi if there is a satellite issue. But otherwise I should think they'd be pretty similar -they both use GPS and GLONASS.

The Fenix 3 has become a bit of a standard choice for the serious SUP racers. It provides stroke rate as well as the usual metrics (and heart rate if you either buy the HR version or a separate HR strap - I'd recommend the Tri one). And of course the watch is more robust and lighter than a phone. So it's up to you, really. I have an iPhone 7 and use it to email positioning updates when I'm on a big DWer, but otherwise I use the Fenix. It's a general activity meter as well, and it gets quite addictive to see eg. how many steps you've taken in a day, and to be reminded to get off your fat ass if you've been sitting around too long. My phone doesn't do that because I'm not wearing it all the time.

Btw, heart-rate specialists, my daily resting HR is often only 40 bpm and sometimes as low as 37 or 38. It's rarely over 42. I worry that this might be abnormally low. Does anyone else out there have resting rates this low? (Especially any older geezers.). I've been keeping pretty active SUPing for the last 10 yrs, but I'm certainly not a fitness fanatic.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on May 23, 2017, 02:07:24 PM
Btw, heart-rate specialists, my daily resting HR is often only 40 bpm and sometimes as low as 37 or 38. It's rarely over 42. I worry that this might be abnormally low. Does anyone else out there have resting rates this low? (Especially any older geezers.). I've been keeping pretty active SUPing for the last 10 yrs, but I'm certainly not a fitness fanatic.

Yes, it's pretty common. I have just about the same resting rates myself. My father who's active
as well and probably older than you at 67 has resting rates down to 32. So if we establish those
at home measuring devices are trust worthy than I'd say this is fairly common.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Eagle on May 23, 2017, 02:37:23 PM
"A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) in adults is called bradycardia. What's too slow for you may depend on your age and physical condition."  Also something to be aware of is too low BP.  Seems that outside the norms can be potential risk factors.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/AboutArrhythmia/Bradycardia-Slow-Heart-Rate_UCM_302016_Article.jsp

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/dxc-20316599

Insofar as cellphones OTW -> we make sure not to use any GPS apps to make sure we have good battery power for 911.  More important tho is when we are in the mountains.  Cell service up there is often touch and go.  Instead up there we bring another device for GPS tracking.  Often just another old cell or ipad touch or mini.  But if not venturing too far -> then a cell with a tracking app should normally be ok.  Be aware that some GPS apps are major drainage hogs.  Something to note.

Normally we just use a cheap GPS watch OTW that downloads and syncs direct to Strava.  Often tho will have my waterproof phone playing tunes -> but have noticed the battery drain after hours is quite nominal so quite ok for that.
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: burchas on May 23, 2017, 04:28:37 PM
"A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) in adults is called bradycardia. What's too slow for you may depend on your age and physical condition."  Also something to be aware of is too low BP.  Seems that outside the norms can be potential risk factors.

Actually, the more important take away from that article IMO is:

"Physically active adults (and athletes) often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM but it doesn't cause problems and is normal for them."
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: Eagle on May 23, 2017, 05:05:55 PM
Yep - that is why the following was put in bold and italicized "What's too slow for you may depend on your age and physical condition."

But dropping down below 40 is quite low - and would make sure there are no related problems due to that.  Always good to keep an eye on health matters like that.  Sometimes if you are right on top of it -> you can address and understand why you do not feel right at times.  Especially as you age and are not in tip top condition.  I got checked out about 3-1/2 years ago and resolved a lot of odd issues via blood tests and scans etc. ;)
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: ForeverBlue232 on May 23, 2017, 06:57:21 PM

The Fenix 3 has become a bit of a standard choice for the serious SUP racers. It provides stroke rate as well as the usual metrics (and heart rate if you either buy the HR version or a separate HR strap - I'd recommend the Tri one). And of course the watch is more robust and lighter than a phone. So it's up to you, really. I have an iPhone 7 and use it to email positioning updates when I'm on a big DWer, but otherwise I use the Fenix. It's a general activity meter as well, and it gets quite addictive to see eg. how many steps you've taken in a day, and to be reminded to get off your fat ass if you've been sitting around too long. My phone doesn't do that because I'm not wearing it all the time.

Does it give you average and max speed?  And does it show you when (or rather where, on the map) you were going at what speed.  Those are the things I really like about Paddle Logger.  But I would love to have that on my wrist.  I'd rather use my phone just for video, instead of recording video while also using the gps.  The less the phone is trying to do at once, the longer the battery will last.  And for a race where I'm not going to have my phone on me, it would be nice to have tracking on my wrist. 
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: bernhardd on July 15, 2017, 09:30:46 AM
After unsuccsessfully searching the web for a GPS watch Mount for quite a while, I build one combining a GoPro mount with a Garmin bike Mount.  (See pictures below). Works quite fine! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170715/0dec5a46dbcee8c31c95e07b81ad7412.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170715/d43b1c0805aa901cf8028e35786403c0.jpg)
Title: Re: GPS Watch
Post by: SUPcheat on July 15, 2017, 01:51:13 PM
Tried my Suunto Ambit with wrist pulse monitor.  Got squiggles on a map and I haven't really sat down to figure out all the other informations, but there was a lot.

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