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Simple logger with Bluetooth connectivity

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Created by JulienLe > 9 months ago, 18 Jan 2019
JulienLe
402 posts
18 Jan 2019 5:11PM
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Hello,

making another thread not to hijack the other.

I would like to gauge interest in a simple logger with Bluetooth connectivity version of Motion. No display, no user interface but around 200 AUD. Same GNSS, radio, battery life and so on as Motion. It's in the plans, in volume, for a racing organisation but I could look into making it available to all. The accessories would be the armband, an USB cable and an USB charger.

Work on this starts in March so we have a few weeks to discuss it and make it right.

Cordially,
Julien

tbwonder
NSW, 639 posts
18 Jan 2019 9:00PM
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Yes I like the sound of that. Many of us have many GPS units already that display real time speeds. I think a simple device that needs no set up and records all the data that is required for approval by GPSTC would be very popular.
What people want is reliability and simplicity.

kato
VIC, 3340 posts
18 Jan 2019 9:10PM
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Yes please, perfect for what I do. Just need to have over 24hr battery and recording.

kato
VIC, 3340 posts
18 Jan 2019 9:11PM
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Yes please, perfect for what I do. Just need to have over 24hr battery and recording.

Stretchy
WA, 913 posts
18 Jan 2019 7:45PM
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Yes please! That is all I need. I'm happy using my watch for on the water guidance. Great news

fangman
WA, 1238 posts
18 Jan 2019 8:44PM
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Count me in too please.

decrepit
WA, 11828 posts
18 Jan 2019 8:49PM
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So if we want a display, it blue tooths to a phone with a windsurfing app?

That sounds like a good option Julien.

JulienLe
402 posts
18 Jan 2019 8:53PM
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Would you combine it with a smartphone to check your bests from time to time ? Or would you simply check the full log on your computer when evening comes ?

I can't imagine myself doing question #1. I would'nt head back to the car to check the smartphone. I would'nt risk introducing water in it. And data bandwidth is limited so it wouldn't be able to display an active map of your runs like Motion can, for example.

So I thought of something else : regular Motions could display the results of light-Motion when in proximity. As they already do between each regular Motion; but with more data. One sailing partner you cross path with every 15 minutes with his regular Motion could, by checking his networking menu, tell you your current bests and so on without the risks implied by smartphones. Kind of a "there's no display but if you really want to know if you already hit 40kt, ask anyone with a Motion (your friend, an organisation during events, anyone)".

Which somewhat means that if you are 5 regulars sailing together, as I was, you can get by with one full Motion and four light. If you are a small event organiser, you can get by with one Motion and loan light Motions to participants without a device.

morts
WA, 172 posts
18 Jan 2019 9:08PM
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I would certainly be interested as well Julien

Think some of the people who use their phone with the Logit app in addition to the visual readings, also wear BT earphones to get realtime voice readings of their speeds off Logit .

decrepit
WA, 11828 posts
18 Jan 2019 9:58PM
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JulienLe said..
Would you combine it with a smartphone to check your bests from time to time ? Or would you simply check the full log on your computer when evening comes ?


Julien, we are already using old, cheap smartphones with either "logit" or "blueGPS". Logit gives a voice out of speeds and results. This is working well, and gives great on the water feed back. We don't head back to shore to check it, the display is visible on the water, and the voice output comes through ear phones.
But using the phone's onboard GPS chip is inaccurate. So has not been approved for posting to the GTC.

Daffy, Roo, Peter and Matt have home made m8n devices bluetoothing to their phones.
For those already using their phones, and unable to make their own logger, your device would enable them to post from it as well.

For our comp, as we compete in 6 divisions, it is advantageous to know what the current bests are. once we reach a target in one division we can start on another. Without good feedback on the water, it's just guess work.

Stretchy
WA, 913 posts
18 Jan 2019 10:31PM
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Nothing wrong with what Mike and Jeremy are saying, but I have a different opinion. for myself I don't care about hooking up to a phone, I would prefer to keep the device simple, robust, small and low cost. I can get a rough idea of how I'm tracking in most divisions by my watch. If you can make it as small as the Canmore it might mount nicely on a helmet.
Actually, a fully waterproof, GPSTC compliant Canmore would be perfect.
Keep it simple - if you want fancy stuff get the other unit?

segler
WA, 1597 posts
19 Jan 2019 12:20AM
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I have been using an old Garmin Legend H in a small aquapac on my arm. You can set it up to display speed and max speed, and it will record your day's track for uploading to a computer. No bluetooth obviously, but archiving tracks on a computer is all I need. It works really well, and AA batteries are plentiful and cheap.

I'm hoping to use my GW-60 the same way. As a waterproof watch-style device it is more convenient than a gpser in a bag.

Carindale
QLD, 331 posts
19 Jan 2019 10:41AM
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Sounds like a good idea. Bluetooth to avoid the connection problems of the watch.

decrepit
WA, 11828 posts
19 Jan 2019 8:53AM
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So there are two blue tooth modes, with storage to download afterwards to computer.
Or real time transmission to a phone, no storage needed.

Doing both would impinge on battery life.
So yes I think keep a logger just a logger, easily head mounted a good idea.

bc
QLD, 700 posts
19 Jan 2019 10:55AM
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great idea count me in

boardsurfr
WA, 2202 posts
19 Jan 2019 9:28AM
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Select to expand quote
JulienLe said..
Would you combine it with a smartphone to check your bests from time to time ? Or would you simply check the full log on your computer when evening comes ?

I can't imagine myself doing question #1. I would'nt head back to the car to check the smartphone. I would'nt risk introducing water in it. And data bandwidth is limited so it wouldn't be able to display an active map of your runs like Motion can, for example.


For me, just using the logging function and checking the results at home would be fine about 90 to 95% of the time. But the rest of the time, using a phone for feedback on the water would be useful. That could be just on-screen display, or real-time feedback with headphones, using GPSLogit or similar apps. One advantage of the apps is that they have no problem calculating nautical miles or hour results, and that alpha calculations are more reliable than when using the watch.

Note that this would be a different bluetooth mode from what you describe, where the "light" version sends out only the speed results (if I understand correctly). The device would instead send out the raw data when paired with a phone. So in total, you'd have three bluetooth modes: data download, speed results, and raw data.

Any idea how much cost and headaches wireless charging would add? The USB connector on the GW-60 is one source of headaches (although it seems to affect only mostly data transmission, not charging).

sailquik
VIC, 6068 posts
19 Jan 2019 3:44PM
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I would also favour a stand alone logger. But if it has BT, and can transmit the raw data in real time it gives the option of pairing with a Phone App.

mathew
QLD, 2019 posts
19 Jan 2019 3:23PM
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sailquik said..
I would also favour a stand alone logger. But if it has BT, and can transmit the raw data in real time it gives the option of pairing with a Phone App.


^^^ What he said.

kato
VIC, 3340 posts
19 Jan 2019 8:34PM
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I rarely check the GT31, I just sail and then check the data at home. So a basic logger is perfect.

powersloshin
NSW, 1653 posts
20 Jan 2019 7:08AM
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if you make some I am happy to buy, simple and waterproof with good battery life is the go, could be the perfect second device to back up the gw-60

decrepit
WA, 11828 posts
20 Jan 2019 8:51AM
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powersloshin said..
>>> could be the perfect second device to back up the gw-60


I disagree, it's the other way around.
The GW60 will be less accurate.
The logger will have more satellites, (up to 28 instead of up to 8,) and a bigger antenna, if you can mount it on your head, that will be even better. Post from the logger, and just use the GW60 for on the water feedback.

yoyo
WA, 1646 posts
20 Jan 2019 11:47AM
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With the others. Have been using a Canmore102, helmet mounted for 2nd gps/backup and arm mount gps for on water feedback. Ocassionally (only lately really) I take the helmet off to see the screen on the Canmore if I do a particularly fast run just to reassure myself that the arm display is not a spike. The Canmore died the last sail. I had already fix it once before (corrosion) but only got 3 further uses. A good waterproof 10hz logger would be a great replacement.

BSN101
WA, 2244 posts
20 Jan 2019 12:35PM
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Ill put my hand up for one too.

Whats the possibility to have it with cable free charging too? Cost? T totally enclosed unit the BT stats & charges on a pad would be the best thing since lamingtons.

I am still interested in the Motion, waiting for a review, someone?

decrepit
WA, 11828 posts
20 Jan 2019 12:55PM
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BSN101 said..
I am still interested in the Motion, waiting for a review, someone?



A little more patience Dave, Julien's had hold ups beyond his control, as we get one everybody will hear about it.
Hopefully within the next week or so, in time to approve them before Lake George.

JulienLe
402 posts
22 Jan 2019 4:08AM
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Hello,

cable free charging is very inefficient and imposes a few major changes. And, personal opinion, I enjoy how ubiquitous USB is. I have many memories where one of us forgot the exclusive charger, exclusive spring pads clip or exclusive software for his device making it useless for the week.

Australian devices have been ready for a week or more now but I'm still waiting for the express shipping company accesses. I've been looking for a better way to ship to Australia for weeks now and they came in with an incredible offer very late. All in all, it means shipping will be express, insured, tracked, safe for the same 12 EUR extra as before (234 EUR total) but whereas sales went very fast to hand me the contract, I don't have a clue what the other department is waiting for. I called yet again today and it's "being processed", as usual. End of last week, with this quote in hand, I contacted another express company to ask for a revised quote. They made a new offer and, although less interesting than the first company, I signed it too. But there again, I'm waiting for the accesses.

It's amazing how hard this is/was. Although Australia is available with nearly every express couriers, some companies made it clear they do not like to handle shipments outside EU, or do not like shipments by air, or needed 50 shipments within EU prior, or offered 200 AUD take-it-or-leave-it (for 500g !), or got my packages size/weight wrong when making their quote.

Any time now, I'll receive accesses to either company and I'll be glad to ship these and announce future orders go express for the same 19 AUD extra as before but hell, this is stressful and I'm very sorry about it.

Cordially,
Julien

John340
QLD, 3045 posts
22 Jan 2019 11:27AM
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Select to expand quote
JulienLe said..
Hello,

cable free charging is very inefficient and imposes a few major changes. And, personal opinion, I enjoy how ubiquitous USB is. I have many memories where one of us forgot the exclusive charger, exclusive spring pads clip or exclusive software for his device making it useless for the week.

Australian devices have been ready for a week or more now but I'm still waiting for the express shipping company accesses. I've been looking for a better way to ship to Australia for weeks now and they came in with an incredible offer very late. All in all, it means shipping will be express, insured, tracked, safe for the same 12 EUR extra as before (234 EUR total) but whereas sales went very fast to hand me the contract, I don't have a clue what the other department is waiting for. I called yet again today and it's "being processed", as usual. End of last week, with this quote in hand, I contacted another express company to ask for a revised quote. They made a new offer and, although less interesting than the first company, I signed it too. But there again, I'm waiting for the accesses.

It's amazing how hard this is/was. Although Australia is available with nearly every express couriers, some companies made it clear they do not like to handle shipments outside EU, or do not like shipments by air, or needed 50 shipments within EU prior, or offered 200 AUD take-it-or-leave-it (for 500g !), or got my packages size/weight wrong when making their quote.

Any time now, I'll receive accesses to either company and I'll be glad to ship these and announce future orders go express for the same 19 AUD extra as before but hell, this is stressful and I'm very sorry about it.

Cordially,
Julien


You would think, they have to deliver to the other side of the world

BSN101
WA, 2244 posts
22 Jan 2019 10:57AM
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Select to expand quote
JulienLe said..
Hello,

cable free charging is very inefficient and imposes a few major changes. And, personal opinion, I enjoy how ubiquitous USB is. I have many memories where one of us forgot the exclusive charger, exclusive spring pads clip or exclusive software for his device making it useless for the week.

Australian devices have been ready for a week or more now but I'm still waiting for the express shipping company accesses. I've been looking for a better way to ship to Australia for weeks now and they came in with an incredible offer very late. All in all, it means shipping will be express, insured, tracked, safe for the same 12 EUR extra as before (234 EUR total) but whereas sales went very fast to hand me the contract, I don't have a clue what the other department is waiting for. I called yet again today and it's "being processed", as usual. End of last week, with this quote in hand, I contacted another express company to ask for a revised quote. They made a new offer and, although less interesting than the first company, I signed it too. But there again, I'm waiting for the accesses.

It's amazing how hard this is/was. Although Australia is available with nearly every express couriers, some companies made it clear they do not like to handle shipments outside EU, or do not like shipments by air, or needed 50 shipments within EU prior, or offered 200 AUD take-it-or-leave-it (for 500g !), or got my packages size/weight wrong when making their quote.

Any time now, I'll receive accesses to either company and I'll be glad to ship these and announce future orders go express for the same 19 AUD extra as before but hell, this is stressful and I'm very sorry about it.

Cordially,
Julien


Very good point about common cables.
Youre not the only business having holdups in Europe. Chrissy doesnt help either.
Maybe an AU distributor is needed....

JulienLe
402 posts
24 Jan 2019 4:05AM
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Hello BSN101, it's in the works. I'd like a buffer between production and sales to ease things.

anthony perkins
TAS, 365 posts
24 Jan 2019 10:01AM
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Sounds good how do we order one

Jacko51
SA, 217 posts
24 Jan 2019 1:20PM
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www.motion-gps.com/motion/order.html

Bugs74
QLD, 71 posts
24 Jan 2019 1:42PM
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Hi
I would find it helpful to have something like this as a backup for long distance days and as a second device.
I would happily spend a bit more for a fully waterproof device that I can have with me on the water ie like a watch and as the issue of the charging I would prefer to have a device that has no possibility of water getting in as we all know from other threads that people have had a lot of issues with charging cables and waterproof devices not being really waterproof.



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"Simple logger with Bluetooth connectivity" started by JulienLe