The makers of the Gt31 have sent an email to all of thier dealers to look for feedback on a few points.

"We're surveying about a new product development, which shrinks our current GT-31 into a watch, and we're looking for users' ideas about following:

1. If you use our GT-31 for water sports, do you think it's a relevant to add "location finder" function into this device?"

What do you guys think about these points - are they relevant to you?

I don't own a GT31 but have a GT11.

If the unit was shrunk in size and could be worn as a watch, it would need better water proofing than the current GT.

I have no need for a location finder as I don't use the unit for navigation.

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Paul said...

The makers of the Gt31 have sent an email to all of thier dealers to look for feedback on a few points.

"We're surveying about a new product development, which shrinks our current GT-31 into a watch, and we're looking for users' ideas about following:

1. If you use our GT-31 for water sports, do you think it's a relevant to add "location finder" function into this device?"

What do you guys think about these points - are they relevant to you?

i have a GT-11 and its has never caused me any problems.

If they could make it smaller and water proof(not just water resistant) that would be a huge step forward. To wear as a watch would be unreal but you still need to be able to see/read the screen at a glance.

i think most of us that speed sail are not interested in any add on functions such as location finders etc. Just my 2 cents

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Paul said...

The makers of the Gt31 have sent an email to all of thier dealers to look for feedback on a few points.

"We're surveying about a new product development, which shrinks our current GT-31 into a watch, and we're looking for users' ideas about following:

1. If you use our GT-31 for water sports, do you think it's a relevant to add "location finder" function into this device?"

What do you guys think about these points - are they relevant to you?

Hey paul i am the current owner of a gt31 and think that it is a great gps apart from needing better waterprofing (as i have drowned one beforehand). As for the idea of adding a location finder to the device i think this would make it a more complete GPS but not necessary. It would be a handy feature but would this increase the price of the GPS? As for turing it into a watch, you would have to make sure the screen was easy to read and that all of the previous features were still incorporated into the GPS. Also you would want to make sure that the watch/GPS would not be likely to ripped off your arm. All these views come from me being a windsurfer
cheers Jordan

Would the watch still accept an SD card?
Waterproofing would be important. Not sure what a location finder does so don't know its relevance to windsurfing.

I wondered if this email would land here...

Interesting to note that all the other questions in the "survey" were focussed on skiing scenarios, where a watch form factor would be great, and waterproofing not so important.

I told them that provided that:
a) the display is still large enough to read at a glance and
b) the band is not rigid, or is detatchable, so that the device can still go into an aquapac and lie flat

it sounds like a good idea.

After all, one of the problems many have with the GT-31 vs Garmin is that the Garmins are physically smaller.

Dylan.

I think Lao has hit the most important point for us, the SD card, if that no longer fits, it won't be as versatile, even if they increase the data logger memory size.

Needs to be water proof and if its smaller, needs to have a mini SD card like in the mobile phones.
But old saying
If it ain't broke dont fix it
Just keep the software improvements happening and most of us happy with product as it is (I think)

Waterproof as everyone else has said but I would like a forearm mount, bigger than the wrist, maybe two straps.
I wouldn't mind the unit being bigger in area but flatter like the IPhone in size, easy to read and the ability to select say speed and only display a large set of numerals.
This could also trip over to navigation say a compass or waypoint finder or a start line countdown.
Mikes idea of the mini-SD is the way to go, same storage but much smaller - might make it easier to waterproof.
Finally catapult proof

Bigger numbers (aka bigger screen)

I would prefer a clearer font and 3 digit display a la the Garmin Foretrex which is easier to read. Having the 1/100kn digit crowds the screen and is beyond the accuracy of the unit anyway.

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lao shi said...

Not sure what a location finder does so don't know its relevance to windsurfing.

I didn't know either so I emailed Stacy. Her response:

"It's like the device will remember where you went, for example, a camping spot, a fishing spot, the spot you parked your car.
Then it will give you a direction to go back to it."

Finding my car is the last of my worries when I go sailing, so probably not a necessary function.

Better display (anti-glare), bigger numbers, thinner but whole unit could be even iphone size. i mean look at the iphone it has a gps, why can they make the unit similar to that size? LED backlit maybe. and if u go that far touch screen would be nice.

case specifically built for it?

It already has a location finder if u really need to use it. good for marking fishing spots although not used much, once u find a good spot mark it as a way point. then when u want to go back just select it and it will give u distance and direction from point

It would be cool if it had all of the GPSTC categories available on the screen. Then, for example, if you knew you needed a 24knot Alpha or a 29knot NM to overtake the next team, you would know before you got home to your computer.

You would also get the instant excitement of knowing you had scored a PB then and there.

I guess this could probably be done with a firmware update to the current unit...or else someone will tell me it already does that?

Garmin had a decent size screen on their Forerunner watch then made it smaller.

I hope Locosys doesn't make the watch and screen too small to see.

That Garmin thing on the left looks about right to me. A smaller screen is OK if it's on your wrist as it's easier to bring up to your face.

When it's wrapped around your bicep and in an aquapak, It's tricky to read even with big numbers.

Howabout wireless earplugs so it can tell you your speed that way you guys can look where your going and not at your shoulders.

The Garmin digits are easier to read (better font, less crowding and better screen contrast).

The wrist option is also better for us old farts who have trouble focusing at near. I think on a smooth track such as Sandy Point you can also read the display if it is on your front arm.

If they're looking to make improvements, making full use of the 5hz sample rate of the sirf chip, would be good.
Five samples a second instead of 1 gives better accuracy.

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AUS1111 said...

It would be cool if it had all of the GPSTC categories available on the screen. Then, for example, if you knew you needed a 24knot Alpha or a 29knot NM to overtake the next team, you would know before you got home to your computer.

You would also get the instant excitement of knowing you had scored a PB then and there.

I guess this could probably be done with a firmware update to the current unit...or else someone will tell me it already does that?

yep this would be my wish.. on board computing of data...i think the 10sec is allready there which is handy for the guys doing runs on a speed strip.the hr can be calculated by watching the odometer and the clock. nautical miles and alphas would be a real treat!!

#1 dislike is the over complexity of the GT and software /interface, also if I'm concerned about needing my data I always use the Garmin rather than GT,or both.

#2 is the toggle button that seems to get pressed or moved while sailing while in the aquapac

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sailpilot said...

#1 dislike is the over complexity of the GT and software /interface, also if I'm concerned about needing my data I always use the Garmin rather than GT,or both.

#2 is the toggle button that seems to get pressed or moved while sailing while in the aquapac

agreed with the stupid toggle button, i could kill that thing. Keypad lock maybe ??? the easy solution.

The toggle button is easy, some people use an "O" ring, but I've found the rubber washer from a roofing screw ideal, it has a countersunk hole, that needs to be slightly reamed out. just enough so it can be screwed on.
It then doesn't come off, the toggle works OK and it doesn't get accidentally pressed. Also I use a paqua midi, that isn't as tight across the toggle as the aquapac.

Numbers that I can read without glasses would be good. Perhaps some way to customise the menu choices so us sailors could leave of all the options we dont want but other people could keep them. I only ever use the speed genie thing on the one scrolling setting (that shows the 1 sec, 5 by 10 etc...) but even then I can only read the large numbers. And no Im not a legend yet but before I was a grand master I could read things like that.

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sailpilot said...

#1 dislike is the over complexity of the GT and software /interface, also if I'm concerned about needing my data I always use the Garmin rather than GT,or both.

#2 is the toggle button that seems to get pressed or moved while sailing while in the aquapac

Phil the toggle can be locked, go to settings and set "Hold Key" to "Key Lock" instead of "Mark" which is the default. All you do then is get up the screan you prefere, then hold down the toggle a few seconds and the toggle is locked, no need for washers etc. Key lock turns off the same way or just turn the whole thing off. This is with the GT31 and the latest firmware, I don't know about the GT11

I find the GT31 very easy, in the past when I have been trying to get data off any team mate's Garmins, I have been reduced to tears with frustration I guess it's what we're used to, my first GPS was a GT11 which a mate drowned (no bag).

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Paul said...

The makers of the Gt31 have sent an email to all of thier dealers to look for feedback on a few points.

"We're surveying about a new product development, which shrinks our current GT-31 into a watch, and we're looking for users' ideas about following:

1. If you use our GT-31 for water sports, do you think it's a relevant to add "location finder" function into this device?"

What do you guys think about these points - are they relevant to you?

I'm wondering if this wrist GPS will be another model

I'm too blind to read the GT31's screen in it's bag on my arm so I always just set it to max speed and have a look when I can, if it goes to a watch style keep the overspeed alert with a flashing red light, better chance of seeing it on my wrist.