It is hard to please all people all the time...

For me I'd like the following features;
Waterproof without a pouch
Wrist sized
Clear display
Race start timer
24 hour battery

Optional extras
Memory card is optional as long as it has sufficient internal capacity
Bluetooth
Audio feedback - seems popular but I can never hear my GT31!
Vibe feedback

Most of the time we know the best tack for a speed run, so mast mount above the boom, or on it, could also be good..

Also my GT31 froze twice recently so I could be in the market soon!!!!

berowne said..

........Also my GT31 froze twice recently so I could be in the market soon!!!!

There are a number of well documented reason why this sometimes happens. The best solution is to make sure you GPS has plenty of time to get a good fix and download all the Almanac data it neds before you use it, especially if you have traveled any moderate distance since last use. At Luderitz we set up our GPS's on the Hotel balcony for half and hour the day before we sailed. Then we had not issues. others who did not do this had units freeze.

Some firmware versions are more prone to this freezing. If yours does it more than once, think about updating the firmware to V1.4

Can we have accurate altitude? Not the it matters for sailing but I'm guessing that for skydiving accurate altitude is required so maybe BlowFly FlySight has it.

As far as audio jacks are concerned is it not feasible to use blue tooth headphones? That's another device I know with it's own set of problems but it could be optional and no jack is required. (I think. I don't really know)

So what is the current status of this (or any other) GT31 replacement?
I haven't seen any posts discussing it since the above - have I missed something?
If a new person wants to start speed sailing right now - what GPS would they need to buy? Are new GT31s still available or just second hand ones?

You would have used it a week or so back, G, but not now

Reading on the weekend about Aust hi tech firm, Catapult Sports, that makes the devices worn by footballers, basketballers etc.

Should we (as a consumer user group) be approaching them to develop a device with GT-31 functionality

Just in the GPS Team Challenge alone there are 1300 registered sailors (total international)
Most of whom use a GT-31 or similar

And it is 10Hz

sailquik said..
1. A gps chip capable of outputting raw binary data including Doppler speed dilution of precision which we need for the accuracy calculations. Preferably at 10hz.

From the Fin Review on the weekend:
http://www.afr.com/p/technology/billionaire_mark_cuban_invests_in_G6DVPn7RKpUCrXgnJZbdHI

Outdoor GPS Sports device
www.catapultsports.com/system/outdoor/
Product: OPTIMEYE B5

The most advanced GPS device for boat sports.

* Market-leading GPS device for rowing, canoeing and kayaking
* Fourth generation 10Hz sports-specific GPS for precise positional data
* Optional ANT connectivity for connection with peripheral devices
* Integrated inertial sensors with 100Hz accelerometers
* Powerful 2gb internal computer for sophisticated processing
* Wireless reporting with no cables or downloading required
* Distinct streamlined design with water resistant exterior

Interesting, no?

DavMen said..
They have a great name too - very apt for our sport.

Good one, Dave

Maybe we can get the other Dave aka 'Katapult' to negotiate

Have been talking with Catapult - Sailquik I have pm'd you.

Cheers
Adam

Surf Sail Australia still have good stocks of the GT31. We also have more on order from Locosys, they are still producing it seems.