View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: Pssst!..Wanna buy a watch? GPS watches on test |
|
|
Now the summer is at an end I've decided its time to get outdoors and test some GPS units! Kicking off the test we have Globalsat's GH-625 and Garmin's Forerunner 405 GPS watches.
Although both are targetted at similar markets they are very different in their implementation with Garmin eschewing a detailed display in favour of a relatively compact sports watch that could pass for a 'normal' watch. Despite its small size it still manages to squeeze in full datalogging, comprehensive training records and track pace functions etc.
Garmin Forerunner 405
Globalsat on the other hand have chosen to go the whole hog and offer features that would have until recently only been available on a handheld device such as a detailed display with trail mapping functions, full GoTo Waypoint functionality, datalogging, POI capturing and even a GPS mouse function. The downside is a watch that is fairly substantial in size although still wearable.
Globalsat GH-625
We'll be putting both through their paces including tests of the desktop software supplied by each manufacturer but in the meantime please post any questions in this thread.
Now when can we expect a watch with colour routable maps......
_________________ Darren Griffin |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jonandmarkuk Frequent Visitor
Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 832 Location: Derby
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Are these aimed at sports people, or can they be used for day to day datalogging for say Photo tagging. ?
Rather than a seperate datalogger and having to remember to take it with me, having a watch that does it would be easier.
Be interested to see what battery life is like too. _________________ Navigon 8450 LIVE |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jonandmarkuk wrote: | Are these aimed at sports people, or can they be used for day to day datalogging for say Photo tagging. ?
Rather than a seperate datalogger and having to remember to take it with me, having a watch that does it would be easier.
Be interested to see what battery life is like too. |
The Garmin is aimed at sports usage primarily, the GlobalSat less so.
Both could be used for datalogging, the Globalsat exports very easily to common file formats. Battery life is very good, I had the GlobalSat loohing an entire trip to Amsterdam and back plus out and about with TomTom and it still had power after 15hrs solid use. I have yet to measure the 405's battery. _________________ Darren Griffin |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pimmsoclock Occasional Visitor
Joined: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 18
|
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:26 am Post subject: Garmin 405 |
|
|
I just got a 405, previously had the older 310 and I have to say that this far more of a sports centric device than the previous forerunner 301. This suits me as I have a handheld too but my advice would be that this is a mutli-purpose device. This is an extremely neat, compact and accurate sports GPS.
Looking forward to a waterproof version though.......Garmin? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
robertn Frequent Visitor
Joined: Feb 06, 2005 Posts: 564
|
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
I like these - much improved over anything from the past.
Now, all I have to do is find the budget for one..... with out the better half noticing
Looking at the photos there is no doubt they are a sports device, as they certainly have a very long way to go before you could wear them day to day, let alone as a dress watch |
|
Back to top |
|
|
adventurer Regular Visitor
Joined: Jul 08, 2004 Posts: 83 Location: Midlands, UK
|
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was looking for a small sized gps that could also provide routes etc., for both cycling and running.
The gamin units seem to be mainly for fitness and post run analysis. They don't seem user friendly to be able to create routes and transfer then to the device.
The globalsat watch looks good but also looking at the GH-601.
However I can't seem to find a retailer that stock either. Do you know where I could get one from.
Thanks _________________ Tom Tom One Series 30 with TMC
Brodit Mount permanent mount
GlobalSat Bluetooth GPS - BT 338
Now IPhone 4 with Tom Tom |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roadhunter Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jun 24, 2008 Posts: 1
|
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
adventurer wrote: | However I can't seem to find a retailer that stock either. Do you know where I could get one from. |
You can get the Garmin 405 from http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/
I bought one from there the week they were released in the UK (which was about 6 months ago), and they still shipped it out same day. You also get their complimentary advice book for runners on how to train with a speed and distance heart-rate monitor.
I'm surprised that the original post doesn't mention the Garmin's 2ndary unique selling point. The UI is mainly driven by a touch bezel, which acts like a fairly basic version of the touch-wheel thing you get on the iPod. It is quite effective.
You don't get MapSource included with the watch, but if you have it already, you can use it in conjunction with the watch to send waypoints. TBH I have only used it to monitor my pace, speed, distance and heart-rate while running, and for logging my training sessions. I have put a waypoint on it (with MapSource) but I haven't yet tried to navigate to it.
The logging records your location roughly once every 3 seconds, so you get a detailed track record. The training centre software that comes with the watch (well, download it actually, but its included in the price) lets you view the track log on the Garmin base map, which isn't very detailed, or if you have a CityNavigatorNT map installed you can choose that instead. You can also export it directly to Google Earth, which is a lot of fun!
I'm pleased with mine, but I did buy it for sport and I only wear it when I'm running. You can definitely 'bookmark' your current location though, I did it when I was running whilst on holiday, in case I couldn't find the hotel, but I didn't need to use it.
BTW Garmin claim it will run up to 8 hours with GPS on, and I would agree with their estimate. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
adventurer Regular Visitor
Joined: Jul 08, 2004 Posts: 83 Location: Midlands, UK
|
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ta, but did not want the garmin, only interested in the globalsat _________________ Tom Tom One Series 30 with TMC
Brodit Mount permanent mount
GlobalSat Bluetooth GPS - BT 338
Now IPhone 4 with Tom Tom |
|
Back to top |
|
|
TspS Occasional Visitor
Joined: Aug 24, 2005 Posts: 1
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
adventurer Regular Visitor
Joined: Jul 08, 2004 Posts: 83 Location: Midlands, UK
|
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Can the globalsat show OS grid references? _________________ Tom Tom One Series 30 with TMC
Brodit Mount permanent mount
GlobalSat Bluetooth GPS - BT 338
Now IPhone 4 with Tom Tom |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jacob779 Spammer
Joined: Jun 06, 2020 Posts: 1
|
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:43 pm Post subject: Also Wants to buy |
|
|
hey,
Did you bought this?
if you did then can you please tell me a site from where i can read review and buy this?
i also want's to buy this.
i searched on SPAM LINK REMOVED but i didn't found that!
can you please suggest me a website from where can i buy this?
Sparrowied is also a great website that provide quality reviews of products.
i also bought projector reading this review.: SPAM LINK REMOVED
PS: i'm not that jacob who is posting articles on this site :P |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kremmen Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 7138 Location: Reading
|
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Right - HERE - _________________ DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
M8TJT The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 10118 Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
|
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey K, that's a novel approach to spammers and textspeakers.
Luv it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising |
|
|
We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|