After 15 years of windsurfing I figure its about time to join the rest of you speed demons and finally get a GPS (without spending a small fortune),and know how fast I'm clocking or more likely how much slower I am than I thought, anyway after looking online I'm stumped, I don't know what to purchase, is there a dedicated windsurf/kitesurf model?, is a watch even the best tool for this job?, would a garmin forerunner watch be suitable?. Just want to be able to log top 5/10 speeds and distance covered per session, I don't even know what additional data features I could use that would be helpful or interesting. Any experienced advice would be appreciated. Not many other windsurfers where I live, I've never seen anybody using one.

OK , I'm a squid .
I had the same thinking.
Got the GW 60 watch. It's simple , shows what your doing , live , each time you change direction in big numbers. When you get in , tells 5 best top speeds , av speed over different distances. Very easy . If your tech minded , I'm not , does soo much more , like downloading your tracks. And then even more .
I think it's a good thing , looking at my wrist every time I jybe , seeing how fast I was , or wasnt

If you don't intend to post on the GPSTC then go for the Garmin, Andy Haigh made a great program to view your speed etc, it's on Seabreeze if you want to search for it. The GW60 is a piece of junk, mine isn't even a watch anymore as both bands have broken. Garmin all day mate

Select to expand quote

Tinlyds said..
If you don't intend to post on the GPSTC then go for the Garmin, Andy Haigh made a great program to view your speed etc, it's on Seabreeze if you want to search for it. The GW60 is a piece of junk, mine isn't even a watch anymore as both bands have broken. Garmin all day mate

Plus one , Garmin watch ideal for what you want ,

A cheap alternative is a $40 phone on special and load it with GPSLogit, add a pair of water proof earplugs, and you can play music and/or listen to your speeds while you sail.

Select to expand quote

decrepit said..
A cheap alternative is a $40 phone on special and load it with GPSLogit, add a pair of water proof earplugs, and you can play music and/or listen to your speeds while you sail.

But saying that, I didn't really get on with it, drowned a few earplugs, and found the whole thing a bit clumsy, but there are people that love it.
GPSLogit is no longer on the app store, so getting it isn't that easy.

Motion,. Great product , made by a windsurfer for windsurfing and bullet proof. You will have to wait a bit for a delivery but it is worth it as it does it all.

I use a Garmin Fenix 5 watch, and connect the Garmin app to Strava.

For really accurate data the GW-60 and Motion are the call. For simpler requirements (speed and track to archive) the Garmin watches are excellent, and, yes, there is an app that was developed for it (see above).

If you want REALLY simple, but VERY reliable, just get a Timex Ironman GPS for less than $100 US on Amazon. It has good enough battery life in GPS mode, uses plain ole micro USB cable, no wifi, no BT, but plenty of memory. I archive all my session on Strava with it. It just works.

If you want to get a camera with GPS, get the GoPro 5 Black. The price on Amazon is very reasonable these days.

Any gps device will work if all you want is some sort of rough speed and distance measurement. If a GPS enabled sports watch suits you for other needs then they are fine.

The GPS-Logit app in a cheap (~$20) Android phone is also excellent as long as you have a nice waterproof arm bag to keep it dry. there is another free app here www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/WindsportTracker-GPS-Android-App?page=1 that will also do the job well. GPS-Logit have the added advantage of 'talking' your speed to you. I find I can hear it fine most of the time without any earphones of it is worn on my bicep.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Using-a-cheap-smartphone-and-GPS-Logit?page=1
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Cheap-Android-Phones-for-GPS-Logit-2?page=1

If you want to measure your speeds and distances accurately, and want to join in the GPSteamchallenge community, you will need to get one of the GPSTC approved devices.

gpsteamchallenge.com.au/pages/rules

The Motion simple logger ($160) is the least tech, very accurate, has easy connectivity with computers and smartphones and is very slolidy made. It's only disadvantage is that, as the name implies, it is just a logger and has no screen for on the water feedback.

The LCD Screen Motion is currently the state of the art device for wind sports.

www.motion-gps.com/motion/index.html

The discontinued GT-31 is still one of the best all round GPS devices and sometimes comes up second hand from people who upgrade to the latest Motion.

Using a Garmin 735 xt and motion simple logger. Logger for Gpstc and Garmin for a screen to look at briefly while I'm on the going on water. Both giving similar readings when download.

Which is the best app for 735?

Select to expand quote

plywoodboy said..
Which is the best app for 735?

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-GPSTC-Datafield-to-complement-the-Motion-Simple-Logger

This site will extract your gps data from your gopro files if you want to go down that road.
goprotelemetryextractor.com/free/

Select to expand quote

Tinlyds said..

plywoodboy said..
Which is the best app for 735?

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-GPSTC-Datafield-to-complement-the-Motion-Simple-Logger

If only a dumbass like me could install it on my 735!!
Is there any how too videos for dummies to follow?
cheers

If it's a camera you are looking for, the extractor app shown by Cluffy above looks good.

Or, read this:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/GPS-Cameras-and-Overlay-Rendering-Software?page=1#10

Select to expand quote

spanishwog said..

Tinlyds said..

plywoodboy said..
Which is the best app for 735?

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Garmin-GPSTC-Datafield-to-complement-the-Motion-Simple-Logger

If only a dumbass like me could install it on my 735!!
Is there any how too videos for dummies to follow?
cheers

I managed to do it and I'm technologically challenged, if you download the Garmin ConnectIQ on your phone it's super easy, just load and go ??