I just found that Coles have a special on a 4" screen Alcatel U3 from Boost Mobile until Jan 1st. $19 (reduced from $59)

This is the phone: https://boost.com.au/shop/alcatel-u3-3g/#1505084555319-d0f3bf2a-28e2

It is very similar to the Alcatel Pixi3 4" a few of us have been using so I got one this morning to replace a Pixi3 I drowned a while back.

The main difference I can see so far is that it runs Android 6 Marshmellow OS, whereas the Pixi3 ran Android 4.4 KitKat.
One difference about that, that has been a bit frustrating is setting up an SD card. It appears that this OS version does not allow the concurrent use of both SD card and internal memory, and required the internal to be formatted. So far I have not found how to make a new folder on the SD card either. Also, the same issue with seeing the Logit file/folder on the android file browser app in Mac that I had before: I must restart the Phone after the session to see the new file. It's visible in the phone but not the Mac browser until I restart the phone.

Another difference is that it has a different battery. 1200mA instead of the Pixi's 1400mA. Not sure if this will mean less recording time until I fully test it, but it probably will unless the newer OS system uses less current.

Anyhow. I loaded, and quick tested, the current version of GPS-Logit from GPS-Speed.com, and it works fine both with the internal GPS or a Ublox M8 based external BT GPS. I did not insert the SIM card and it still works fine, (as did the Pixi3's).

I might add that one will need a very good waterproof bag, with a clear window, as the phone is not at all water resistant (But cheap to replace)

It also gives feedback results for Alpha and NM, but not 1 hr. Note: the Alpha proximity is calculated the same way as the official software so it is usually shows pretty much the same as the software calculation in GPS-Results or KA72 (Unlike the GW-60).

The other catagories are: Max, 2s, 10s, 250 and 500. Also shows last run and best run in each, althouth it is in rather small font for those who are a bit old and long sighted.
Note that the screen on the newer phone has a slightly ligher grey look when viewed from straight ahead (The background pattern in this pic is an artefact produced by my Iphone camera) When viewed from slightly high, the black and contrast is almost identical:

You may also note that there is a slight, but better difference in the top red panel where the 'Not Connected' (or connected to) words are larger and clearer, which for my eyes is significant. On the other had, at the bottom of the screen there is some slight overlap of some words. probably as a result of slightly different screen resolution.

And the best of all is that you can turn on Audio speech feedback which tells you the speed every second as you sail (faster than the run reset speed). I can normally hear this quite OK at up to mid 30's speeds, especially when it on my front bicep. At higher speeds, the wind and water chatter noise drown it out a bit. Some people use earphones. At the end of each run, when you drop below the 'run reset speed', (I usually have it at around 20 knots), it will tell you the 'Last run' speed, and repeat it a couple of seconds later. (note that the Alpha and NM flash up alternately in the same screen position)

If you put it in the alternate screen it shows your N speed (I usually have it set to 10s) and your max speed. And also your time sailing, distance and 5 x 10s. running average.. I usually use this screen as the two main numbers are quite large, but in this view you don't see the NM and Alpha (unless you go back to the main screen when you stop).



Hope this helps someone.

NOTE: These are recommended for on the water feedback only when using the internal GPS, as they are not approved for GPS-TC posting.

But if someone wants to use it with an external Ublox based BT GPS, (home made) it can be approved, in theory, as that file contains the Doppler error values and I have been testing one with excellent results for quite some time now..

Thank for the review. Was thinking of getting a spare after losing my Pixi for 2 days. ( Found in bushes at side of road in 3 pieces, fell from car at 40km/h as went around bend leaving Lipton's. On reassembly still works!)
I was curious about the accuracy of the GPS remembering some phones had 0.5kn minimum step while others like the Pixi were 0.05kn.
Any info on the accuracy of the Boost U3 internal gps?

Ahh, well...
This is why I only use very low cost Smartphones for windsurfing, in this case the Alcatel U3 mentioned above:




Screen is kaput, although the internals are still operating. But it is stuffed to use. Just ordered another model (Zume5) on offer for $35.

It was not a hard crash, just awkward spin out, slide sideways and catch, at lowish speed and I was hooked in so my arm and phone hit the mast or boom.

Now I wish I had bought two of the U3 last month.

Does anyone use an iphone7? they are waterproof. Some others too i guess

Yes they are really expensive but just wondering if they run the GPS LogIt program well ?

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BSN101 said..
Does anyone use an iphone7? they are waterproof. Some others too i guess

Yes they are really expensive but just wondering if they run the GPS LogIt program well ?

Looks like Android version only, no iphone version

Andrew, prior to the crash, how was the U3 performing? I take it it has a 0.05knot gps and not 0.5knot one otherwise i'm sure you'd have mentioned it. Anyway any info on the Zume5?

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yoyo said..
Andrew, prior to the crash, how was the U3 performing? I take it it has a 0.05knot gps and not 0.5knot one otherwise i'm sure you'd have mentioned it. Anyway any info on the Zume5?

I dont think I even tested it with the internal GPS. I was using the BT Ublox GPS and it was performing very well with that.

No info on the Zume5, but it was the cheapest one I could find on special. Looks like it has a better processor, but we will see.

I found that Post Offices have the an Optus Xplay 4" on special for $29. Has BT4 and GPS. Valid until 27 January.

http://catalogue.auspost.com.au/catalogue/discover-more-at-your-post-office/5h3nw4z4b.html?pid=promotedCatalogue&retailerName=Australia+Post#pageNo=8

Officeworks have the same one for the same price , but until the 11-02-19

www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/optus-x-play-prepaid-mobile-phone-volcano-black-4034x-op3001081

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sailquik said..
It also gives feedback results for Alpha and NM, but not 1 hr. Note: the Alpha proximity is calculated the same way as the official software so it is usually shows pretty much the same as the software calculation in GPS-Results or KA72 (Unlike the GW-60).

Not sure which version you have Daffy but I've had no problem using it for the 1hr. Once you have sailed at least 1 hr it will read out the average once you drop below the threshold speed. Only thing it doesn't do is give a cumulative average for the 1 hr during the hour.

Roo

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Roo said..

sailquik said..
It also gives feedback results for Alpha and NM, but not 1 hr. Note: the Alpha proximity is calculated the same way as the official software so it is usually shows pretty much the same as the software calculation in GPS-Results or KA72 (Unlike the GW-60).

Not sure which version you have Daffy but I've had no problem using it for the 1hr. Once you have sailed at least 1 hr it will read out the average once you drop below the threshold speed. Only thing it doesn't do is give a cumulative average for the 1 hr during the hour.

Roo

Maybe you can keep your speed above the threshold for the whole Hr Roo?

Where do you see that 1 hr readout. It does not appear on my screen? Does it only appear after you have sailed for one hr? I have the latest version from Manfreds website. Are you using an earlier version?

You select it under settings then it appears on the screen. Has been in all versions I've ever used, including the latest. It will have a dash until an hour has been sailed then the number will appear.

Ahh, many thanks Roo. Just zoom screen display only!

I dont know why I have never seen that before. Do you find you need to have a lower threshold speed set to make it work?

Wot tipe of SD card and size did you used need to know i have the phone and the water proof bag and i do need help to make it work :)

I don't think it matter all that much, depends how much you want on the card. all your music selection, photos etc you don't want to be too small. But anything you can buy these days should suffice.

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sailquik said..
Ahh, many thanks Roo. Just zoom screen display only!

I dont know why I have never seen that before. Do you find you need to have a lower threshold speed set to make it work?

Also appears on the main screen , over on the right side (alternates with the alpha). You have it pictured in your photo posted at the top of this thread. I have my threshold set at 5 knots, helps working out takeoff speeds on the foils and planing inception speed for boards.

Shortwave a 2gig micro SD card is fine. Just make sure you mount it from the software correctly, later versions of Android handle SD cards differently to earlier versions.

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Roo said..

sailquik said..
Ahh, many thanks Roo. Just zoom screen display only!

I dont know why I have never seen that before. Do you find you need to have a lower threshold speed set to make it work?

Also appears on the main screen , over on the right side (alternates with the alpha). You have it pictured in your photo posted at the top of this thread. I have my threshold set at 5 knots, helps working out takeoff speeds on the foils and planing inception speed for boards.

Shortwave a 2gig micro SD card is fine. Just make sure you mount it from the software correctly, later versions of Android handle SD cards differently to earlier versions.

On that screen shot, and on my Phones with Logit. It's the NM that alternates with the Alpha. Does that change when you select 1Hr?

Just checked mine, it's nm and alpha. 1 HR on the zoom screen, must be my old eyes playing up or the radiation from all the gps units on my helmet!

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Roo said..
Just checked mine, it's nm and alpha. 1 HR on the zoom screen, must be my old eyes playing up or the radiation from all the gps units on my helmet!

I know the feeling!

the phone I used for GPSlogit stopped working so I have just bought one of the Optus Xplay phones from Officeworks.
I am not very tech savvy or app savvy and I can't remember how I installed it on my phone last time.
I have downloaded the top link from this page www.gps-speed.com/gpslogit.html but the phone can't open the file.
also that link was only valid until the end of January...
I don't have data on the phone so will need to use wifi
help please

I did a brief test of the Boost Zume5 phone in the car and it works fine with logic, both with BT dongle and internal GPS.

Anita, do you have logit on any other working phone? If you do you can use Apk Extractor (white Android man on green dot) to put it on your new phone. Or you could pair temporarily your phone with someone at the Melville who does have a working gpsLogit app, they would need to have Apk Extractor on their phone. Uses BT to send it from one phone to the other.

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yoyo said..
Anita, do you have logit on any other working phone? If you do you can use Apk Extractor (white Android man on green dot) to put it on your new phone. Or you could pair temporarily your phone with someone at the Melville who does have a working gpsLogit app, they would need to have Apk Extractor on their phone. Uses BT to send it from one phone to the other.

Thanks Yoyo
I do have a working copy on another phone - no trouble downloading it onto that phone once I removed the block from unauthorised sites, but I cannot download it onto the new phone (via wifi and internet) and get it to work.

Can you give me a step by step guide for dummies on how to do everything I need to do please?
Will I need to download apk extractor onto the new phone in order to get logit to work?
How do I use BT to send it from one phone to the other? I know how to turn bt on but not what to do with it.

PM instructions

you can also just install the WindsportTracker App directly from the play store
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.sunbits.windsporttracker

the accuracy is 100% the same, but the app have more features.

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WST said..
you can also just install the WindsportTracker App directly from the play store
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.sunbits.windsporttracker

the accuracy is 100% the same, but the app have more features.

Any way to get it without using google play store? I won't use that.

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sailquik said..

WST said..
you can also just install the WindsportTracker App directly from the play store
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.sunbits.windsporttracker

the accuracy is 100% the same, but the app have more features.

Any way to get it without using google play store? I won't use that.

Yes.

I picked uo another cheapish Android phone yesterday. This one is a Telstra Alcatel U3, and it was on special sale in Coles for 1/2 price =$34.50. It is 4" screen an almost identical in size to the older Alcatel Pixi and the newer Zume5 (Boost) I also recently purchased for roughly the same price.

The interesting things to report is that it did not produce Doppler data from the internal GPS using GPS-Logit. Only positional Trackpoint data, so for stand alone feedback use it is not as good for this as the other cheap phones I have tested.

Of course, using the BT- Ublox remote GPS, it performed just like the other cheap phones, recording all the required data at 5Hz and 10Hz.

While writing this I just found that the latest Coles Catalogue has the Zume5 on really low price special for $14.50. I got one of these a week ago for double that and it seems to work OK. Looks like I will have to go back and grab another one as a backup.

www.catalogueau.com/coles/coles-catalogue-20-26-feb-2019/

Thanks for that Andrew. I will go see if my local Coles has any in stock. I note at the start of this post you thought the Alcatel U3 was alright.

"Anyhow. I loaded, and quick tested, the current version of GPS-Logit from GPS-Speed.com, and it works fine both with the internal GPS or a Ublox M8 based external BT GPS. I did not insert the SIM card and it still works fine, (as did the Pixi3's)."

I guess as you probably were more interested whether the BT 10hz and 5hz function worked you missed (until now) the fact that the internal gps is not giving doppler output with Logit. It is a little odd that older cheap phones (pixi) are better.

Not to worry a Zume5 at $15 is hard to beat.

I dont think I specifically checked of the Zume5 internal GPS was out-putting Doppler speeds. I thought it was, but I may be wrong. I will check in now and report.'

Checked the Zume5 in internal GPS recording..

It does record Doppler speed using the internal GPS, but does not records speeds below 5 knots. Not sure if this a GPS-Logit setting or a phone setting, but I can't find a way to change it either way. I am guessing it is a phone setting as the BT GPS still records to 0 speed.

That is a pity, just bought one. Will see what Windrace makes of it.(
<5kn speeds) But at $14.50 can't complain.