Speed monitor for kiting

Have a look at www.gps-kitesurfing.com/default.aspx . There is information about GPS devices and GPS software.

You could register and compare your results with the best top racers. Maybe is based too much on speed more thant race. But it's really interesting. There are a lot of aussies using it. Maybe you could contect some of them and train together (this would be the best option in order to get better results).

If you are interested in share GPS tracks just contact me. It's a good option to get motivated and improve your trainings.

If there is someone else interested, just keep on touch!!

Share trainings and information is the best way to improve results!!!

Software would be as important as the GPS device to get the best information.

Upwind angle is as important as speed. The most important in racing is to get the best speed/angle ratio as possible. If you are the fastest, but you have a bad angle you'll do anything, and the same if you have the best angle but you are not fast enough.

All my best,

Alex

I use a Garmin Foretrex-401 and Garmin Connect free software.

The device is not the best because could have some water infiltration problems, but could be used for racing if you take care about it. It's a not too expensive and useful option to start.

The software is not one of the most complete but could be used too to follow your progress. It couldn't calculate angles but you could do it manually.

I'll link one of my GPS tracks in Garmin connect as example in few minutes. I hope it could help you!

connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/81686657

only as example to have a look at Garmin Connect.

Don't take care at elevation gain... it seems not working well when kite-racing (yes when running).

Garmin are good. Any of the waterproof wrist ones are fine.

They all do speed and location well.

No GPS does altitude accurately at all. You would need to spend $100k on a survey accurate GPS and put a series of base stations on survey marks in close proximity to where you were using it.

www.velocitek.com/pages/speedpuck

Mate these are what we use on smaller yachts/ catamarans/skiffs ect . Going to try one on my race board , they simply stick on what ever( say front of race board or toe side above the handle of your twin tip) with this extra strong velco patches , they are light weight the numbers are huge , gives you current speed ,max speed , heading ,wind shift indicator ,ect waterproof ,the best part is when you get home go plug it into your computer and it logs you day , if you have a regatta with these units on all the boats you can get software which logs each boat in the race on a map of the coarse showing all the data for each boat (heading,track speed ect) you can replay the whole race fast forward rewind ect.

They are not that expensive about $350 but you can use them on any sailing craft , proper waterproof no need for wp case and as I said huge easy to read display,simple to use only 1 button.

There are more complicated models but they are much bigger.

I started with a Garmin Forerunner 101, but now use a Garmin Edge 705 (actually a bike computer/GPS). This has a USB connection and works well with the Garmin Connect website for uploading tracks.

I carry it in a harness pouch, inside a waterproof case for added protection. It works very well.

More info: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/gear/gps-for-kitesurfing

Thanks guys,
velocitec was the one I meant. Looks like the only IPX8 GPS. all the others, Garmin, Nuvi etc are IPX7 and probably need a pouch. I m not so fussed about the display, since I am mostly interested in the logging feature to analyse after the session. Saying that a pouch might also work, but so far none of the products are really convincing. I checked out the windsurfer forum and they mainly talk about the Nuvi GA-31 which again is IPX7.
Will have to make up my mind some time soon. This kind of product seems to be lagging after the state of the art technology. I would like a GPS enabled GoPro, the you can have the best of both worlds. Will probably happen soon. I am convinced they are working on it.
thanks again
gmd

We use them on all sorts of high performance boats chech out you tube , the Velcro is not ordinary Velcro it's super strength , there is also a lanyard which comes with is so you can have it hanging around your neck or attach it to something incase it comes off .should fix fine to the board as long as the surface is clean.

I've seen a few people running different apps on phones and iPhones but even the best waterproof cases can let you down , one of the guys the other day fried his brand new iPhone cos it got moisture in it , also you can't read it while your sailing along , the whole point of the gps is to see speed or heading in real time so you can see if minor adjustments are making you go faster or if you sailing along and you get a lift or a knock in the wind direction.

Jay

well.. as I said before the GT-31 (I wrote GA-31 sorry) is only IPX7 and I am a bit allergic to words like the above .. being taken serious unless .. etc etc .. what a load of cr@p. I do not intend to post any data or routes anywhere, why should I ?
And if there are people who might insist on certain equipment to be taken seriously, then I am happy to forget about them.
The current GPS devices are lagging behind the state of the art technology. It is amazing to see that there is no decent waterproof wrist device (like my dive computers) and they still need to be so big. Even IPX8 is not "waterproof" in my book but still better than IPX7. Being waterproof is not about the depth or time under water once, it is about the effects of heat/cold and water over time.
regards
gmd

the SpeedPuck by Velocitek gives clear instant speed readings

the price is a bit steep though, $339...

here's the link:

www.velocitek.com/pages/speedpuck

And a kitespeed video using it:

Hi Peeps,

I use a Garmin 310XT with HRM for SUP race training. Pretty cool unit and does everything but cook you toast and coffee for after your session.

I use it for Time, Distance, Speed and Heart Rate. It does much much more including calories burned etc. It's water proof and simple to use.

I have had three goes through warranty to get it working properly. I suggest to buy local as OS warranty is not considered here in Oz.

When you upload your data to Garmin Connect, you can really pull apart your session second by second and see graphs comparing speed, HR, time, elevation and much more, then plot it down on top of Google maps so you can see your entire course. You can compare sessions too. Awesome for race and training.

They are designed for training and Triathlon etc, so not ideally built for Kite, but it's a nice bit of kit. Expect to pay around $300-350 delivered from an Oz retailer.

Cheers,

DM