GlobalSat announce a Personal Training GPS Device the GH-601

[MikeB]

GlobalSat Taiwan recently announced 2 Personal Training GPS devices to help athletes (and people like me) train. These are the GlobalSat GH-601 and GH-602. The difference between the models is that the GH-602 has an electronic compass and a barometer, the GH-601 does not.

Designed for just about any outdoor sport where you are on the move this wrist mounted GPS incorporates the latest SiRFStarIII technology providing accurate positional information and recording your tracks as you go.

As this is a Personal Training Device one of the functions is a Virtual Personal Trainer in the form of a pacemaker. This allows you to determine how you are performing against a predetermined training schedule. I thought my trainer down at the Gym was tough, but at least she goes easy on me when she sees me flagging. Not so with the GH-601 a real tough task master...

The GlobalSat GH-601 should be available early 2006.

For more details click here (GlobalSat Taiwan site).

[Runner]

Looks like a rip off of the Garmin Forerunner Series to me.

Now then, it might just be me, but are there really people out there wanting to participate in good, healthy outdoor activity with a piece of furniture strapped to their wrist? I mean, just look at it!! If it's windy, you might just take off!!

Other non runners in the field of exercise GPS systems are produced by Navman and Timex. Both, it seems, would like you to strap the GPS receiver to your upper arm while you run or take part in other activity. Are they mad? Do they want you to die? If you are anything like me, then you will have at least some blood wanting to pump through that arm during exercise. Restricting the flow, even slightly, is, to say the least uncomfortable and would be the last thing I would want to do.

There is a pretty strong rumour that Garmin will release a new Forerunner model (the 305) in February 2006. Apparently, it will actually be the same size and shape as a normal watch but with the addition of a tiny RiSF Star 111 receiver attached diagonally to the lower end of the watch face. There are images on the net if you're really interested. And OK yes, its not pretty but there again, its not furniture and I doubt it will restrict your blood flow either!!

[DOOLAARD]

I agree that this hardware is very similar to the garmin Forerunner products. I use a Forerunner 201 for over a year now and for me it is no bother that it is a little bigger than a usual watch. I run several races with it, among others 2 marathons, and it helped me with training and during the race.

Wind is no problem :D

Garmin will release a new more watch like product in the near future.

Grtz,

doolaard

[MikeB]

I have a 301 with a heartrate monitor and must confess that they do look somewhat similar. I am reserving judgement until I receive my review copy.

I use mine for cycling and dont find it a problem either wearing it on my wrist or on my handlebars. What I did have a slight problem with was the size of the text, but that is better now since I had an eye operation.
_________________
Mike Barrett

[SatNavNews]

Problem is companies now no longer have their own design teams, lets re-badge, re-badge, re-badge. This is what the SatNav world is coming to.

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