Select to expand quote

TonyPolony said..
Have used the GW-52 four or five times in the past two weeks since receiving it in the post from WA.

I can honestly say that I'm not overly impressed other than the fact being is that it allows me to post my GPS data. I managed to update the firmware without any drama and noted the slightly improved display functionality but not much else.

News to me, last time I looked the latest firmware was already loaded, I'll have to have another check

Select to expand quote

I've noted that my peak speed etc does not display for the day - rather if I stop and take a break, the device will partially reset the displayed information and simply give me the results from my last few runs (or since I recommenced moving at a speed greater than 1 knot).

This shouldn't be the case, maybe you updated to an earlier version of software?

The latest (the one I've got anyway) version of speed genie scrolls between max and Ns max since last cleared, max speed and Ns max since speed genie was triggered, (last run). and distance since cleared.


May be you should set speed genie to a more appropriate level, 1kt is a tad low.

Select to expand quote

TonyPolony said..
I can honestly say that I'm not overly impressed other than the fact being is that it allows me to post my GPS data. I managed to update the firmware without any drama and noted the slightly improved display functionality but not much else. Further to this, the interface is 'clunky' to say the least... It reminds me of installing peripherals 15 years ago to a PC.

As for the corroded USB port, it's just another mark against this device that has cost me close to $300 and has given me not much more than my Canmore. I've kept it 'double bagged' since using it and am glad I've done so.

My first impression is consistent with TonyPolony's: the interface is clunky - and requires the user to memorize 'double finger' inputs to access certain functions. Over time, will become routine but out of the box the interface was very 'off-putting', especially when combined with the very poor user manuals. The GW-52 Utility is slightly better from an intuitive standpoint but could benefit from a help file.

Regarding firmware, my unit came with the V1.0 firmware so I too had to update the firmware. Fortunately, this process was reasonably straightforward and worked - I'm always hesitant to update firmware on a new device for fear of 'bricking' it...

Select to expand quote

bartontb said..
My first impression is consistent with TonyPolony's: the interface is clunky - and requires the user to memorize 'double finger' inputs to access certain functions. Over time, will become routine but out of the box the interface was very 'off-putting', especially when combined with the very poor user manuals. The GW-52 Utility is slightly better from an intuitive standpoint but could benefit from a help file.

Regarding firmware, my unit came with the V1.0 firmware so I too had to update the firmware. Fortunately, this process was reasonably straightforward and worked - I'm always hesitant to update firmware on a new device for fear of 'bricking' it...

Yes, I have to agree here, I've used mine for several months now, and had to reread the manual when I wanted to change the speed genie setting.

Select to expand quote

decrepit said..

May be you should set speed genie to a more appropriate level, 1kt is a tad low.

Thanks matey. Speed Genie is set at 10 kts however the minimum speed is 1 kt.

Updated version is 1.2G029C.

Looking forward to assisting Keefy when he gets his replacement device

Select to expand quote

decrepit said..

bartontb said..
My first impression is consistent with TonyPolony's: the interface is clunky - and requires the user to memorize 'double finger' inputs to access certain functions. Over time, will become routine but out of the box the interface was very 'off-putting', especially when combined with the very poor user manuals. The GW-52 Utility is slightly better from an intuitive standpoint but could benefit from a help file.

Regarding firmware, my unit came with the V1.0 firmware so I too had to update the firmware. Fortunately, this process was reasonably straightforward and worked - I'm always hesitant to update firmware on a new device for fear of 'bricking' it...

Yes, I have to agree here, I've used mine for several months now, and had to reread the manual when I wanted to change the speed genie setting.

Yes, manipulating the device on the water is quite difficult and clunky and a memory test. Fortunately, all I normally have to do it turn it on before the session, and turn it off again at the end of the session. That I can remember how to do.

All the other settings are far easier done in the utility, including the Speed Genie Settings.

Select to expand quote

sailquik said..


Yes, manipulating the device on the water is quite difficult and clunky and a memory test. Fortunately, all I normally have to do it turn it on before the session, and turn it off again at the end of the session. That I can remember how to do.

All the other settings are far easier done in the utility, including the Speed Genie Settings.

Today was my first 'sail day' with the GW52. Android phone on left arm, GW52 on right arm. I'm going to use the GW52 as the 'set and forget' device while sailing and the GPSLogit/phone combo for my information. Then, as you do, all I have to do is remember how to get it into GPS mode and back out of GPS mode at the end of the session.

Just as FYI, below are the KA72 processed results for the GPSLogit/Alcatel Onetouch Evolve 2 and the GW52.

Select to expand quote

sailquik said..

All the other settings are far easier done in the utility, including the Speed Genie Settings.

Cheers mate. Can you remember what settings you set your Speed Genie at?

I normally try to set mine so it doesn't trigger on an upwind run but does trigger on a downwind run, so it depends how fast you're sailing.
There's not a lot of point setting it so your last run, was the upward leg back to the start. Also not much point if it doesn't trigger at all.

So for me it's somewhere between 25-30knots.

Select to expand quote

TonyPolony said..

decrepit said..

May be you should set speed genie to a more appropriate level, 1kt is a tad low.

Thanks matey. Speed Genie is set at 10 kts however the minimum speed is 1 kt.

Updated version is 1.2G029C.

Looking forward to assisting Keefy when he gets his replacement device

The version I have is 1.2GO529C, I guess that's the same, you've just missed out the 5.

Yes better luck next time Keef.

Trying to update the firmware on GW52.
Utility is connecting ok
Updater coming up with 'port open failed'
Tried all the other ports but no go.
Presumably the port it sees on the utility should be good for update also?
Anybody got an idea?
The info ex Locosys is hopeless.
Not impressed so far.

Te Hau - Just confirming that you have downloaded and installed the "updater" file?

Mike - I'm still somewhat confused as to the purpose of the 'speed genie' feature. If the device records your movements from when you initiate the satellite acquisition, what's the aim of the narrow(er) field for your downwind runs? Is it to simply save battery life so you only record the more accurate 5Hz readings when you're above a certain speed (and when you're not, it's recording at a more power efficient 1Hz rate)? Regardless, should it make any difference to your scrolling readings?

Yep, updater file loaded.
Will dump it and re load.

Ok that worked, reloaded updater and now it sees the unit.
What a clunky bloody thing it is.
Not a big fan of this touch screen so far.

Yep agree. But many minds working together will hopefully bring the best out of this unit.

In my area, the major reason for a lack of interest by sailors in the whole speed sailing thing is what they see as the complicated technology and their (assumed) inability to handle same tech.
This replacement for the GT31 isn't going to help this problem at all.
The GW52 is not even close to being intuitive and worse, there seems to be almost zero detailed instruction for the average tech luddite.
Hopefully, as well as systems becoming more accurate, recorders are being developed which will not require an electronics degree to operate.

I only have Mac's - I feel like throwing this GW52 against the wall

I finally got it all sorted, new firmware loaded, down to the beach pull it out and the bloody battery is flat.
Battery life is nothing like a GT.
This is not progress.
Can't recommend this unit to anybody.
Not even close to a replacement for the GT31.

Select to expand quote

Man0verBoard said..
I only have Mac's - I feel like throwing this GW52 against the wall

Yeah every time I come home from a sailing session I need to bargain with my teenage daughter to use her laptop. Yet another level of complexity that I need to contend with when it comes to this device!

Te,

You need to turn off the GPS after you finish sailing - if you don't turn it off the battery only lasts for about 14 hours (claimed by manufacturer).

If you turn off the GPS and put it into clock mode it is supposed to last for 2 years!

Mine has lasted weeks in clock mode (and it still showed full battery) but extrapolating my experience in GPS mode it will probably only last around 8-10 hours.

On the whole the device is not too bad once you get used to its idiosyncrasies.

Hope this helps...

Select to expand quote

Te Hau said..
I finally got it all sorted, new firmware loaded, down to the beach pull it out and the bloody battery is flat.
Battery life is nothing like a GT.
This is not progress.
Can't recommend this unit to anybody.
Not even close to a replacement for the GT31.

I agree the GW-52 is not as good as the old GT but is does getting easier to use in time.
I have had my GW for 7 month like Mike but have never had the battery go flat on me the thing is every time you plug it into the computer its topping the charge up.
Now I think I have the connection problem sorted I'm confident just to use the GW it does get easier in time to use so don't give up.
One good thing I find with the GW its very light and it doesn't pull the dry bag down your arm in chop like the old GTs.
I set my S Genie at 30 as I'm only interested in seeing 30kts or better.

I can see a start button but no sign of an off button and no mention off turning off on the guide.

Te Hau, once the device is set to "date and time", it automatically turns itself off (into standby). Regardless, I always give mine a couple of hours charge before I head out for a day on the water.

I am still slightly confused however about the whole 'speed genie' feature. Glynn - if you have your genie set at 30, what difference does it make if your device is set to 5Hz default anyway?

5hz is the acquisition rate of data, in other words, at 5hz you log data 5 times a second, at 1hz you only log data once a second. You can really see the difference in gybe's, instead of a series of straight lines you get with the GTs, there's a nice curve. It also means the 2s are more accurate, because instead of averaging 2 readings it's averaging 10 of them.

Speed genie is a different thing altogether, it automatically resets the last run reading once you go over the speed genie set speed.
So if set correctly, it displays what you want to see, as well as the fastest max and fastest average since you last cleared it.

Select to expand quote

Te Hau said..
I can see a start button but no sign of an off button and no mention off turning off on the guide.

The unit can only be fully turned off from the utility, but as Tony says, you go back to watch mode by pressing "start" and "gps" together. If you get a padlock symbol displayed when you do that, you have to press "start" and "mode" to unlock it first.
I'm like Glyn, haver never had the battery go flat on me and I've had it turned on for most of the day doing a distance, as you say, the battery life is not a patch on the old GTs, you definitely have to charge it up fully before use. I just leave mine connected to the computer after a download, until it's charged. Even after a full day's session this is surprisingly quick.
And I would only contemplate switching it off from the utility if I didn't anticipate sailing for a month or so.

Got it, that works.
Yippee, now I can turn it off.
Thanks, Gents.

Is there a simple step by step instructions for what to aquire(free) and load onto the mac and how to plug in and access then save and upload files to Internet sites? I've looked but can't find and I have now downloaded over 10 drivers, utilities, patches..whatever...I'm no closer to even seeing a top speed on the device.
Trying to stay positive

A very good question MOB and something that I'm extremely interested in also.

Until then, it's my daughter's laptop (hate Windows OS).

I'll ask Daffy what he's doing, I think he has a windows emulator loaded on his mac.
Yep, Daffy is using VM ware, not sure what that costs, but I don't think you can use the mac without some sort of windows emulator.

Has anybody figured out how to re-set the distance reading?
I can reset speed history ok.

The distance resets when you reset the logger memory. to do from the utility, just tick auto delete log, when you download. To do from the unit, you have to press the adjust button when in the ordinary speed menu.