[Guest]

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

 

Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

189 Guests, 0 Users

[Luke]

Hi All,

Just got into the scene of coaching, and I was wondering if there are any seasoned coaches out there that could give me some pointers on how to track the speed of a DB, war canoe, and small boats.  I've heard of estimation on bow wakes, washes.  Relying on the good old GPS, and other wristop computers.  Even things like using aqua-buses as a meter stick.

Would like to invest in a basic GPS eventually, but all the functions and varieties on the web's got spinning me in circles.  Can someone recommend a beginner level of sorts?

Luke

[brainiac]

I bought the cheapest GPS possible from Steveston Marine and was annoyed by the following:

- difficulty acquiring satellite signals
- lack of maps (I thought I didn't care but in retrospect I was wrong)
- obscure menus and inaccurate user manual
- no timing capability and clock that shows only hours and minutes, no seconds

So, don't by the cheapest GPS possible. 

[Colossus]

MANY paddlers use the Garmin Forerunner 201 (or various model #s of the same design, 101, 201, 301 etc).  big, clear screen and numbers, can create a custum screen, etc etc etc (google it, you'll get tons of info on it).  i picked mine up from MEC for $200, might be able to get one from craigslist or ebay for cheaper. 

[paddleboy]

 Heres a link to the canadian E-bay and there are used garmin 201's for bids around $70 + shipping and new ones for around $140 + shipping .I got my 301 w/ heartrate from here for $192 + shipping

 http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=garmin+201

 The garmin 201 can't be beat ,if you see me on my oc1 you will notice I have a garmin 301  mounted between the footwell so I can look down and see where I am at when training or racing . I have it set up so it changes screens as I paddle to let me know max speed,avg speed ,current speed,heartrate ,elapsed time ,peak heartrate .Its a cool device to train with plus you can map it all on your computor by downloading the info


 Heres the link for the Garmin 301 which is the same as the 201 but has a heart rate monitor as well

 http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=garmin+301&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

[Rossifumi]

Hi All,

Just got into the scene of coaching, and I was wondering if there are any seasoned coaches out there that could give me some pointers on how to track the speed of a DB, war canoe, and small boats.  I've heard of estimation on bow wakes, washes.  Relying on the good old GPS, and other wristop computers.  Even things like using aqua-buses as a meter stick.

Would like to invest in a basic GPS eventually, but all the functions and varieties on the web's got spinning me in circles.  Can someone recommend a beginner level of sorts?

Luke

Out of all the GPS's out there, stick to Garmin's line designed for runners. 
They've released a line for cyclists now, but that one you can't mount on your wrist or thigh.

The Forerunner 101/201/301 is more than adequate.
Two major issues
the strap will eventually harden up and the velcro will lose it's stickiness.  That's a problem.  Right now I cannot safely wear my 201 without it falling off the wrist.  Luckily I only use it strapped to the thigh now, so that's a non-issue.

It's not waterproof as it's specifications indicate.  (I jury rigged a ziplock bag as a solution)
Mine has been waterlogged 3 times now.  The first time was when I was out in a heavy rainfall.  The last time was when I lent it out, and buddy went for an unexpected swim.  There was a lake underneath the screen. 
Although it's still alive and kicking, time will tell if the internals start to corrode or gunk up.
This model is great for paddling.  Big screen, easy to reach buttons, lays flat on the thigh.


You may want to have a look at Garmin's updated Forerunner 205/305.
Much easier to wear on the wrist.
The wristband is durable like any other.
4 customizable screens (instead of 3, which means I don't have to toggle for info anymore)
numerous little improvements like being able to auto-clock at say 250m instead of the previous minimum of 400m.
No word yet on it's waterproofness, but it's supposed to share the same specs as the 101-301 line.

The 205/305 may offer enough for you to choose it over the older 101-301 line.  But if you intend to paddle/train with this one, and don't want it on your wrist, think it through about how you'd want to mount it.  I haven't found a satisfactory method yet, but that's b/c I don't need to.

End of the day, I like using my 201 for paddling and 205 for coaching.  (why do I have both?  long story.  don't ask)

[paddleboy]

 My 201 is completely waterproof and have huli'd a few times and its straped to my oc and upside down in the water and I have never had a problem .I even wash it off under the tap and still no problem .You should have sent it back to garmin for warranty .

 The 205 ( new design)is too bulky and wearing it on your wrist is useless if your paddling .Its ok if your coaching but forget trying to read it if your racing and its on your wrist .Thats why we mount it to our boat or dragonboat find a place to put it .I have never had a problem yet .As for velcro .....just go to any hardware store and you should be able to buy some and even upgrade it to marine quality .You need to remember to rinse your garmin off with fresh water if you had it in salt water as soon as you can .Alot of people are lazy and don't hence the problems

[Rossifumi]

I hope your 201 stays waterproof, mine used to be.  I always take care to wash off the GPS, and certainly after each rain night out.  it's better to dip the unit into a sink of water (just under the surface for a quick wipe), than to hold it under a running tap however.

It's a matter of understanding how a unit holds up with long term use, wear and tear.  In my case, I've been using it almost everyday of the year, rain or shine ever since it was first released.  (You'll know you use that thing in the rain a lot when the lettering washes off.)  These problems showed up well after the warranty expired.  About 60bux min. for repairs.

As for the 205 it's certainly ugly, but it's nowhere near heavy or ungainly to wear.  More importantly It stays out of the way.  I can't tell what's lighter, the 201 or the 205 actually.
I think the reason they went to this design was to address the 101-301's length.  If you've tried running with it, it tends to slide down slightly and interfere with your wrist.  Annoying.

For paddling, anything strapped to your wrist sucks.  I don't think the 205 would be good strapped down to a hull/beam/leg though.
 
Which reminds me, the rechargeable battery unit works almost flawlessly and has held up pretty good.  You're supposed to get 14 hours use out of a charge.  Mine will say 14 but I usually get a little over 13 now.  Not bad.

[paddleboy]

 The 205 has a relocated antenna I believe as too many people complained that when it was used vertical instead of flat it would lose it signal .I lose the signal once an a while ,usually under a bridge or something , and sometimes it is out to lunch w/ readings but its rare just depends on the day but overall its been good and I've had it about 1.5 yrs now

[glowing_ice]

you can pick up a refurbished garmin 201 at the Running Room for $100.  Very good deal considering these suckers still cost $190+tax brand new.

i like my 201... it's all you really need for personal training and coaching.  the only thing i wish it had was an automatic distance stop.  for example if you want to set a 250m and have it stop automatically it's impossible with the 201... or am i wrong?!

[paddleboy]

yeah your right .I don't think any small GPS has that feature

[Rossifumi]

ah wait, I remember now, the 205 I think is supposed to have a stronger antennae too.  At least according to some sales reps I spoke to, but I never bothered to confirm it.

the 101-301 does have a pretty weak antennae.  The cold start takes forever, and I easily lose my signal if I cross my arm over it.
The newer 205 series does have a much faster cold start and warm start time though.


iceman, you missed this part of my reply
"4 customizable screens (instead of 3, which means I don't have to toggle for info anymore)
numerous little improvements like being able to auto-clock at say 250m instead of the previous minimum of 400m."
Your gps has a minimum of 400m.  the new one removes that limit, so you can now set it to 250 or less if you want to.

[Luke]

Actually, I've bought a 205, birthday treat to myself(NOT A KID anymore), the auto-clock below 400 is just too good to pass up.  Teeny jr. paddlers need their good start.

Rossi, mind showing me how to work it sometimes?

Guido, you said you'd show me the old school, skool?, ol' skool?

[Garbage Miles]

The larger units would be easier to see when mounted to the boats.  How are people mounting their Garmins to the OC's and marathon canoes? 

[Luke]

for 201, I've seen it with Velcro on the iakko, as for 205 and the bigger designs mostly on wrists or forearms.

some people do a duct-tape ring(as seen on many kayaks at FCRCC). and tie the band around it, personally I doubt its secure

[Rossifumi]

Actually, I've bought a 205, birthday treat to myself(NOT A KID anymore), the auto-clock below 400 is just too good to pass up.  Teeny jr. paddlers need their good start.

Rossi, mind showing me how to work it sometimes?

Cool, sure I can show you some stuff.  there's actually quite a lot of little things they added.  You'll probably want to subscribe to the K.I.S.S. principle when using it for coaching.