I'm looking for a cheap smartwatch, mainly for heart rate measurement. However it could be fun to see my windsurfing top speeds.

Do any of you know the cheapest type that offers GPS that is anything close to reliable for windsurfing? I'm not looking at enough accuracy to get into comps or anything similar and I know cheap units will spike, but it could just be fun to see what sort of pace I'm getting. Thanks

There's some useful info in the GPS forums but cheap and water/high impact probably doesn't go very well so you might as well spend a bit more otherwise you're money only contributes to the large pile of e-waste.

I just got a Garmin Instinct 2 surf edition for $449 on amazon, which might be cheap depending on how you define cheap - Garmin's top of the line watches are over $2,000. Seems good so far, haven't used it for windsurfing or winging yet but have used it for some walks and other activity. The heart rate tracking measurement works, and it's got multi-band GPS and enough water resistance for high-impact water sports. If you're interested in tracking windsurfing make sure you get the "surf edition" watch as that's the only one with the built-in windsurfing mode.

Garmin 245,255,265 are the entry level do using the GOSTC V4 app. If you're not a gps sailor it still is the one to get. It was designed for windsurfing buy a QLD windsurfer.and it's free. On the wrist data so cool. keep an eye on the Garmin site as they have sales quite often. Low& high end watches

I use a Garmin Vivoactive 3 to measure all my sports activities including windsurfing. Only cost me $240.

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Maddlad said..
I use a Garmin Vivoactive 3 to measure all my sports activities including windsurfing. Only cost me $240.

Is it acceptable for GPS competitions?

The Garmin Forerunner 255 seems to have better accuracy than most other watches, including a lot more expensive ones. The data I have see so far would be good enough for GPS competitions. It's a limited number of sessions, but on data from other watches I have seen, there usually were obvious accuracy problems even in a small number of problems. If you look at 5x10 second results instead of top speed or 2 second top speed, the accuracy is much more reasonable, though, even if a track/watch has spikes.

Thanks for all the info. I was only looking for something to give me speeds for interest's sake to see my 10s speeds, and it looks as if I'll either get something like the Vivoactive 3 Madlad recommended or give it a miss.

My fun budget is shared between racing bikes, boards, and boats including the 36'er so I'm pretty careful about where it goes. I do need a heart rate monitor as I'm getting to the age where guys of my vintage are warning me that I shouldn't push too hard when racing at times but I may not bother to try to get one that works for windsurfing as well. Cheers

You might want to check out the Amazfit Bip series. They're affordable and have decent GPS.

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Obelix said..

Maddlad said..
I use a Garmin Vivoactive 3 to measure all my sports activities including windsurfing. Only cost me $240.

Is it acceptable for GPS competitions?

Not for GPSTC but fine for KA72

I picked up an older Suunto Spartan Ultra a while back to try for a bit of running, hiking and hoping it would work windsurfing. I've tried it a few times now on the water, and the GPS is solid, and tracks speed well, and has a built in windsurfing mode (among about 80 others). Got one for 70 bucks, and the battery life is still fine etc. just a bit old school compared to the flash new ones, but I like it! Nice cheap way to try the tech out, though no HRM on this one. I connect it to a chest belt for running etc.

That Suunto idea is great for a play around. Thanks for that.

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Chris 249 said..
I'm looking for a cheap smartwatch, mainly for heart rate measurement. However it could be fun to see my windsurfing top speeds.

Do any of you know the cheapest type that offers GPS that is anything close to reliable for windsurfing? I'm not looking at enough accuracy to get into comps or anything similar and I know cheap units will spike, but it could just be fun to see what sort of pace I'm getting. Thanks

How about one of these

the amazfit watches will be perfect for you. I bought a GTR 2e for i think <100AUD and it records skiing, kitesurfing etc perfectly and also tracks your HR and works as a smartwatch otherwise. Also because its so basic the battery lasts ages.

You might want to consider Apple's Ultra2 watch with its own SIM. Not cheap, but with the aid of the Waterspeed App you can see your best speeds, ranging from 2 second intervals to 10 seconds and much longer ones... even your average speed for your whole session. And it tracks you: when you come back to shore, you can see your voyage, overlaid on Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad... plus it shows you your heart rate at any given point in your sailing session... plus lots of other info.A big bonus is that you can call for help, as your watch is a self-contained phone (very important for me as I often sail out to sea for long distances... which is the main reason why my wife suggested the purchase... along with a personal EPIRB and inflatable life vest, along with my PFD). I believe the speeds are pretty accurate... maybe not as accurate as a Garmin if you are involved in speed sailing competitions... but I just like to know roughly what speed I'm going and if I can improve on my PB.Food for thought.

Apple and cheap, really? That's so not what the topic starter asked. You can buy 3 or maybe even 4 Garmin watches for that price so not sure why you post this, sorry!

I recently got myself a Garmin Forerunner 255 (for approx. 250 USD), finally managed to instal GPSTC V4 on it and I hope to give it try on the water tomorrow.

Not sure I really want to use all these gadgets and "smart" features that are offered, heart rate health and sleeping habits etc. The watch just told me the following: "The duration of your nap was ideal and should improve your alertness for the rest of the day." wtf
I will probably use it for windsurfing only...

Got a used Garmin Fenix 5X in very good condition for about 100 Euro a few months back and installed a few windsurf apps on the watch. It is actually quite a nice watch which I would've never bought new. It's cheap and does the job well, battery lasts quite long as well. Would seriously recommend one of those for someone looking into this kind of stuff.

Tried the forerunner on the water today, the GPSTC V4 app works great. :)