Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I think what both Nancy and I are trying to question is the accuracy of
these watches under cover of trees. Using these things on roads where cars
travel shouldn't be a problem generally because there is nothing interfering
with the signal from the satellite. I don't normally ride my horse in the
road unless I can't trailer somewhere. If there is a road I can usually geta
fairly accurate map distance too.

The need that Nancy and I have is a tool that will accurately measure
forrested trail. We don't think these watches will give us accurate data for
trail kind of riding. The satellites receive data from the watch every few
seconds as long as there is nothing preventing transmission like folliage.
If you're on a trail with tons of trees and lots of switchbacks the
satellite may only receive a few signals during the course of a long period
of time sometimes and it will plot from the last point received to the next
point received and leave off significant mileage in between.

I would hope that technology will advance, but I believe even the military
GPS components have problems with this factor and sometimes cause
considerable error.

Susan Milam

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of oddfarm
> Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 4:03 PM
> To: ridecamp; Nancy Mitts
> Subject: Re: [RC] [RC and GPS watches.......
>
>
> I don't know "how" it works but I drove with mine for a day just
> to test it
> when I first got it. The milage was right on. I drove my kids to school,
> went to the store, went to work. The milage matched the odometer on the
> truck. The speed sometimes took a few seconds to catch up, but
> once we were
> going, it was very acurate. I know someone will come up with, "Well you
> know, that is not an acurate way to test". Whatever. That is all I have to
> go by.
> Lisa Salas, The Odd Farm
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 4:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [RC] [RC and GPS watches.......
>
>
> > Timex GPS Users,
> > I'd like to know "how" it keeps calculating distance. "Normal" GPS
> > technology will calculate the distance from where you "were" to
> where you
> > are "now" even if it loses contact with you for a while. The problem is,
> it
> > does so in a straight line. Fine, if you're moving in a straight line,
> it's
> > accurate. If you turn a corner (or switchback) it counts the
> distance cut
> > across.
> > So, is this watch assuming you're continuing to travel at the same speed
> > while "out of touch" with satellites and using that distance instead of
> what
> > the next satellite distance indicates?
> > I can understand these things being close enough for training purposes,
> but
> > I cringe at the thought they're being used for "official" trail
> > measurements. Except of course, in areas where they DON'T lose contact
> with
> > the satellites.
> > Nancy Mitts
> >
> >
> >
> > > From: "Jonni Jewell" <jonnij@xxxxxxxx>
> > > The Timex GPS watch has a "feature" that when the signal goes
> weak, such
> as
> > > heavy tree cover that it keeps calculating your distance and
> speed, from
> > > the
> > > speed and direction you were traveling when the signal got weak. I have
> > > used
> > > mine a lot, and it is great in clouds, and does well in the
> woods as long
> > > as
> > > they are not constant for miles and miles. All the watch seems
> to need is
> a
> > > little sky to show once and awhile, and it keeps tracking. I attach the
> > > transmitter unit to the front of my saddle, instead of using the arm
> band.
> > > If I get off the horse, and get the watch any distance from the
> > > transmitter,
> > > then it will lose the reading...but I don't get off the horse
> much. (tho
> I
> > > should!)
> > >
> > > Jonni
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