Got mine yesterday, have a few questions.

I uploaded the USB driver for Mac, but don't seem to able to upload the main programme. CAn I do this or is it a Windoze only thing ?
I seem to be able to drive it to various places, but simple things like setting the time have defeated me. It also keeps saying "bad format", which is no surprise, as I have so far done "no format".
I have looked at, but not managed to RTFM, as it's just a bit too dense.
I am going to be sucking up to whoever I can to be spoon-fed.
Going for a pushy ride with in this morning to try and learn it a bit.

You can't update firmware on a mac unless (like me) you have parallels which can run windows in it's own little window.

However once you've got it setup, and recording to a card you don't need windows at all.

Some useful links:

http://mtbest.net/setting-up-navi-GT31.htm

www.freight-focus.com/download/gt31_manual.pdf

Keep plugging away, you'll get there

Thanks, I had a big play with it today, and discovered most of the menu options. Have worked out most of the button pushes. Still can't set the time. Could RTFM, but can usually work stuff like that out.
The bit I'm not getting, is where it says "open in Navlink" or summat, and a window is supposed to come up. Not happening, which I think is because the relevant programme is not on my puter, and I have not succeeded in loading it.
I do have an ancient PC laptop which I can resort to if I need to.
I managed to measure my daily pushy ride, so I'm getting there.
Need wind ...............

Gday Ken,

I think the only time you really need to put it in Navilink mode is when you want to connect the USB to your computer and download new firmware.

As long as you have an SD card reader for your Mac, the rest of the time just save the data to the SD card (Misc...Save to Card), whip the card out of the GPS then copy the SBN file from the session (check the date stamp on the filename) off onto your computer for Realspeed or KA72.com.

have fun,
James

To set the time, go to Settings->Time Zone->Sydney. (or Taipei if you're in WA )

The GPS system automatically sends out the time so it's not something that you have to set yourself.

And if your system is set up correctly you don't need to manually save to card, it will do that whenever the GPS is on. Just take the card out and the latest file will be on the card.

OK, so I need Realspeed or KA72.
Gotcha. I assumed that there would be data logging software on the disc. TFM implied there was.
I did say I was a Luddite.
Well, maybe just a technological turtle.

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jamesf said...

Gday Ken,

I think the only time you really need to put it in Navilink mode is when you want to connect the USB to your computer and download new firmware.

As long as you have an SD card reader for your Mac, the rest of the time just save the data to the SD card (Misc...Save to Card), whip the card out of the GPS then copy the SBN file from the session (check the date stamp on the filename) off onto your computer for Realspeed or KA72.com.

have fun,
James

So, I just had a look at KA72 and i have more questions.

When I see that someone has uploaded a map of their session on say a Google earth image, what programme have they used to do that ?
Or an image like the one that Kato put up of his Alpha times recently, which showed his tracks as well as a data log ?
Is that Realspeed ?

KA72 magically works out the track and automatically feeds it into the Google Earth plugin.

I dont think Realspeed runs natively in a mac, maybe it would work with some kind of windows emulator like Nebbian referred to (parallels?) Thats the program that Kato used to show his alphas. I think it costs 20 Euros to register while KA72.com is currently a free service (thanks Dylan).

When people post their tracks on the GPSTC website, they just "PrintScreen" the Google Earth image, save the picture as a JPEG in Paintbrush or something similar, then upload to GPSTC website as an image.

I am a technological turtle (nice phrase!) when it comes to Macs, so no idea if they have printscreen, copy paste etc.

All lots of fun to play with when theres no wind.

cheers
james

OK, thanks, That should all be pretty straight forward then.
Copying images etc is a snap, so no issues there.
I might do some more travelling tomorrow, and try and upload it to KA72 as a trial.
I wonder how they feel about that ?
The turtle thing refers to my speed or lack thereof at new technology. I don't mind using it but I have techno learning curve fatigue.

GPSARPro works on any OS as it runs in java. I'm using that with my Linux box. Gives very similar results to realspeed. The only downside I have is that it doesn't do doppler distance, only trackpoints, this is usually a few km less.
It will also save you data as a gpx file that google earth can open and use to superimpose your tracks on the satellite pic.

KA72 is fantastic, but you can't really analyse your results with it.
Some times the GPS throws up stuff that is wrong, that none of the varies programs pick up, it's only by casting your eye over the track, and looking at the data, that these can be sorted out.

There is a Mac version of GPS-Results which is excellent and kept right up to date. Highly recommended for a Mac user (I like the features of RealSpeed better for Windows but it has not been updated for quite a while).
GPS-Results here: www.gps-speed.com/
Pricy, but well worth the money for it's great features, Mac native version and the way Manfred supports it so well.

Thanks guys.
I am really going to need someone to sit me down and teach me.
I can use a computer like grannies can drive cars. Don't ask me to look under the bonnet, or do a hot lap.
At least I have a bit of a clue now.
If I need to buy a porogramme, it will come after board, sails and fins.

I just downloaded this, but I'm confused (easily, it seems). There was no info about payment and it just downloaded and installed in a twinkle of an eye, and all seems to be there.
Is it a trial version that will ask for payment after a few uses or am I the one millionth user and have a free version ?

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sailquik said...

There is a Mac version of GPS-Results which is excellent and kept right up to date. Highly recommended for a Mac user (I like the features of RealSpeed better for Windows but it has not been updated for quite a while).
GPS-Results here: www.gps-speed.com/
Pricy, but well worth the money for it's great features, Mac native version and the way Manfred supports it so well.

It will pop up one day, and say that's it, I'm no longer working until you pay.

OK, having a free trial is good. Some info about pricing would be useful though.
I'll try and upload some skateboard tracks into it today.

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decrepit said...

It will pop up one day, and say that's it, I'm no longer working until you pay.

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KenHo said...

OK, thanks, That should all be pretty straight forward then.
Copying images etc is a snap, so no issues there.
I might do some more travelling tomorrow, and try and upload it to KA72 as a trial.
I wonder how they feel about that ?

We don't mind in the slightest.

When you upload the track, you get to say what you were doing at the time.

Despite the fact that ka72.com only reports speeds in knots, we do get a surprising number of files from drivers, cyclists, walkers and skiiers.

Dylan.

Thanks for that Dylan. Have actually been too busy for a few days, but I'll get to it soon.

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Dylan72 said...

KenHo said...

OK, thanks, That should all be pretty straight forward then.
Copying images etc is a snap, so no issues there.
I might do some more travelling tomorrow, and try and upload it to KA72 as a trial.
I wonder how they feel about that ?

We don't mind in the slightest.

When you upload the track, you get to say what you were doing at the time.

Despite the fact that ka72.com only reports speeds in knots, we do get a surprising number of files from drivers, cyclists, walkers and skiiers.

Dylan.