Not wishing to hijack "the Pit" thread anymore I though I would move the discussion over here. It's probably time to start asking questions about the direction we want the next generation GPS units to take.

The current units are great for a bit of fun and being reasonably priced, accessible to the majority of speedsailors. However there are always those wishing to push the envelope of both technology and performance that will desire a gps optimised for their needs. The question is what are these needs?

The reality is no one will invest the time and money to build the ideal unit for speedsailing, there's isn't enough return on investment with the low volumes we are looking at. We will have to customise off shelf items to our needs through adaptable software, preferable open source.

As one of the most focused speedsailing groups in the world I would like to hear what you think the needs are. The starting point is 10 hz binary 3D speed data, 3 axis acccelerometer/gyros and HD video are near term achievable.....anything else is fair game no matter how wild and wacky the idea.

Relatively low-tech thing compared to the hz/chip talk, But I would really love a REAL watertight unit with plenty of memory build in, and here is the thing, I do not want any cords, I want data transfer to happen through a wireless connection, bluetooth/ir/?. Also, it would be awesome if the unit had a solar panel to recharge the batteries.

Other than that, only the ability to brew coffee is needed :)

Heads up display on glasses or projected on to the sail. Ability to display result of Gps of the mate you are drag racing.

Seriously though for the current competition alpha result (don't know how much processing power this needs) and a distance signal for the mile.

I'll leave the technical specs to the experts, but I've always thought it would be great to have a second wireless (bluetooth) display unit (speedometer around match box size maybe) that can be fixed to either your boom, wrist, mast etc for easy on the go speed readings. I've remember seeing some pics of a prototype GPS watch but do not know whether they are technically limited due to their size.

Oh and a GPS that makes me go faster would be good also.

What Sausage and lao shi said would be OK.
Not being a techno person, I think what I saw on the last thread in regards to speed curve is good. (raced Karts once and would have been a great addition to work out exact slow points and fast points like this) So I presume what Roo is saying, 10hz is the way to go????

Roo, you been there that long, we need to send you any Vegemite to re-Aussie ya

Select to expand quote

lao shi said...

Heads up display on glasses or projected on to the sail. Ability to display result of Gps of the mate you are drag racing.

Seriously though for the current competition alpha result (don't know how much processing power this needs) and a distance signal for the mile.

Would an ear piece with audio speeds be easier?

Like the idea of a mile buzzer and alpha calculation.

Select to expand quote

decrepit said...

lao shi said...

Heads up display on glasses or projected on to the sail. Ability to display result of Gps of the mate you are drag racing.

Seriously though for the current competition alpha result (don't know how much processing power this needs) and a distance signal for the mile.

Would an ear piece with audio speeds be easier?

Like the idea of a mile buzzer and alpha calculation.

Actually, you have the mile calc and audio now with the GT-31 if you want it. Just set the genie distance to 1 NM

Great dreams guys but read this sentence again:

"The reality is no one will invest the time and money to build the ideal unit for speedsailing, there's isn't enough return on investment with the low volumes we are looking at. We will have to customise off shelf items to our needs through adaptable software, preferable open source."

Now what could we do with customizing existing hardware........

Select to expand quote

sailquik said...

Great dreams guys but read this sentence again:

"The reality is no one will invest the time and money to build the ideal unit for speedsailing, there's isn't enough return on investment with the low volumes we are looking at. We will have to customise off shelf items to our needs through adaptable software, preferable open source."

Now what could we do with customizing existing hardware........

Well... I guess in THEORY it would be possible to use the bluetooth to extract the data from the unit with the current hardware?

Select to expand quote

Malloy said...

sailquik said...

Great dreams guys but read this sentence again:

"The reality is no one will invest the time and money to build the ideal unit for speedsailing, there's isn't enough return on investment with the low volumes we are looking at. We will have to customise off shelf items to our needs through adaptable software, preferable open source."

Now what could we do with customizing existing hardware........

Well... I guess in THEORY it would be possible to use the bluetooth to extract the data from the unit with the current hardware?

Not just theory Malloy, it is being done. Even if we dont have a custom built unit some of these great ideas can be implemented using software and bluetooth. Think 10 hz gps with bluetooth earpiece for speed readings read out in a sexy french accent.

Now what would be real sexy was the speaker spoke with a silly german accent, Arnold style. *ur not goooing fast enough little maaan, acceleraaate or die!'

I would be ready to get a B-GT31 and a bluetooth headset if that happened ;)

Firstly thank you to all the people that have put effort and support into getting the GPS windsurfing/kitesurfing movement happening.

I don't really subscribe to the "low volume" and "ROI" argument - when you think of the potential market for accurate and recordable GPS devices the uses are enormous. Any activity that involves recording distance, speed or position is a potential user eg: kayaking, cycling, sailing, running, swimming, hiking, rowing, driving, flying and the list goes on. We just need to convince a established company that has good business practices (garmin, polar, suunto etc) to pursue this for us...

My "Device Requirements Specification" would go something like this...

Maximum external size(excluding strap) would be contained within a radius of 50mm, 10mm thick
Waterproof to 10m - ie IP68 minimum. Hermetically sealed.
Impact resistant to a drop height of 5m
UV stabilized plastic
Adjustable strap with facility to dock unit to a bracket
Agreed sampling rate etc...
Known, stable chipset
Bluetooth connectivity
2 Gb minimum internal flash memory
Induction charged
8 hour minimum battery life
Firmware upgradeable
Tom's beeps
Button "lock" switch

Roo - regarding HD video - baby steps first. Adding the complexity of HD video could significantly add to development time and cost.

Check out or subscribe to the GlobalSources electronics catalogue. The number of specialized low cost region manufacturers out there are amazing.
You could always contact one of these many design/manufacturers and fund it yourself - I would buy one if it retailed for under $250