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Alpha accuracy

Created by decrepit decrepit  > 9 months ago, 22 Dec 2015
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decrepit
decrepit

WA

12802 posts

22 Dec 2015 10:35am
Salty nuts recently had a PB alpha rejected by his captain because of degraded data, so he's been experimenting with 3 GT31s to find the best way to get reliable results. I told him the best was on his head, but he hates helmets, and viewed that as a last resort.
So he's tried on his back, his shoulder and each upper arm.
The one on his back gives the worst results, I guess because there's a big change in sky view as you lean over,.
The ones on each arm gave some good results and some not so good, strangely the fastest alphas had the most degradation, possibly because his gybes were more aggressive?
The one on his shoulder gave the most consistent results.
And happy to say, he's just beaten the rejected PB by around half a knot, with very good data.

And of course as Sailquick says, for very best results, you can't beat wearing it on your head, there's less bodily shadowing, and movement up there, the head is designed to keep as steady as possible for accurate vision.
ULF
ULF

ULF

QLD

261 posts

22 Dec 2015 2:09pm
I don't know if it will be better but I put the GPS on the mast above the boom. I did that early on as I couldn't stand it on the arm.

It is always facing the sky and is high and dry most of the time. Maybe that is an option.
sausage
sausage

QLD

4873 posts

22 Dec 2015 2:15pm
Select to expand quote
ULF said..
I don't know if it will be better but I put the GPS on the mast above the boom. I did that early on as I couldn't stand it on the arm.

It is always facing the sky and is high and dry most of the time. Maybe that is an option.



I used to do this many many years ago but the vibrations / excessive jarring from sailing on the ocean caused way too many spikes (that was with a GT-11 though)
decrepit
decrepit

WA

12802 posts

22 Dec 2015 12:57pm
Yes I have a feeling the mast moves around too much especially during a gybe, maybe I should do some tests.
Ian K
Ian K

WA

4164 posts

22 Dec 2015 2:05pm
Select to expand quote
decrepit said..


And of course as Sailquick says, for very best results, you can't beat wearing it on your head, there's less bodily shadowing, and movement up there, the head is designed to keep as steady as possible for accurate vision.


Before you know it we'll be gybing with a chook strapped to our helmet.


sailquik
sailquik

VIC

6166 posts

22 Dec 2015 10:23pm
I LOVE it!!!

But the LG version might be a bit easier to care for!!
sailquik
sailquik

VIC

6166 posts

22 Dec 2015 10:24pm
Mast mount of GPS a very bad idea. Too much vibration and huge aliasing issues!
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