Here we look at the most important aspects of the accuracy of the Polar Vantage M and the Polar Vantage V. Specifically we look at the performance of the Precision Prime optical HR and of the Sony GPS chip used by both Vantage models across different types of workouts in running, cycling and swimming; although…
I’ve probably spent a little too long recently looking at GPS (GNSS) plots of numerous runs that I’ve done, attempting to see if GPS+GALILEO offers any improvements over GPS-only or GPS+GALILEO. In hindsight, the inordinate amount of time I spent looking at google map plots would have suggested, in itself, that there is no obvious…
Favero have made public their new IAV Power system. This is an entirely new calculation algorithm for Favero and it bases power calculation on Instantaneous Angular Velocity (IAV). Favero believe they are the only power meter pedal company currently able to deliver this calculation because of their pre-exiting, inbuilt, high-precision gyroscope. So What? It’s a…
A New 2018 Multisport/Tri Watch is revealed, although NOT for the first time. You can buy it now if you know where to look. We look at its GPS accuracy as well as the accuracy of the high-end Garmin Forerunner 645 Music.
Here we are looking at JUST the GPS performance of the sports watch. Not only how it reports distance but also how well it tracks your route. So it could be the worst ever sports watch in terms of user-friendliness, but if it tracks a route well then it scores highly here RESULT(/52) CHIPSET FIRMWARE…
Mobvoi Ticwatch S – GPS Test Results and some first thoughts
I was looking at the new beta firmware for the Fenix 5 and noticed two very highly viewed threads on the garmin.com forum. Those are some serious levels of interest: >50,000 views of ANT+ connectivity issues and >107,000 people further interested in GPS accuracy. Edit: Doesn’t quite match the F3HR altimetry (yet) I would hope…
I have to say I am getting VERY VERY bored while trying to pick fault with the accuracy of the WAHOO TICKR FIT optical armband A few weeks ago my opinion was that the Polar OH1 probably very, very slightly edged it in terms of accuracy over the Scosche Rhythm+. But now I can’t find…
I find that the STRYD app and general STRYD experience on the Apple Watch is very good. Much better than I had expected from both the watch and from a new app. This post is entitled ‘First Run’. That’s not strictly true as keen-eyed and regular readers would have inferred from Friday’s post. This is,…
OK here is a test from yesterday on my MTB on a trail. I was specifically looking at how optical HR handled a bumpy but flat hardened, mud/grass trail. The vibrations can cause problems for optical HR in general, so that is what I was looking at ie a demanding scenario. The Edge 820 is…
I fancied a 16 mile run today so the obvious thing to do was route it around my standard 10ish mile GPS test route. I’m using the Suunto SPARTAN now for most of my runs. My main reason for using it is that the STRYD integration works fairly well but also because the GPS is…
Great news today as my Fenix 3 returns home after a long enforced absence – a ‘friend’ ‘borrowed’ it and ‘forgot’ it was on his wrist! Unfortunately, as you can see from the above image, my 920XT has now ‘gone walkabout’…sigh. 🙂 It was a great time to put the Fenix 3 to my GPS-test-of-doom…
Here are my Top 10 watches for GPS accuracy that have so far managed to complete my standard test route. I have a 10 mile test route (16.6km) for accuracy of my GPS devices following a known track. It covers very many different types of environmental hazards to GPS accuracy such as buildings, trees and…
I knew something was wrong when the autolaps were quite a bit different from each other. With the new gps algorithm, with GLONASS enabled, and with firmware v1.6.14, I re-did my standard GPS test for the Spartan Ultra and the Spartan Sport I followed this methodology and this precise, standard route: https://the5krunner.com/courses/test-route-for-gps-devices/. That link also has all the…
This time 3 Polars and a Suunto SPARTAN ULTRA braved my ‘standardised’ GPS test route. It was a chance for the V800 to redeem itself from a poor first showing because of needing to be worn on the underside of the arm. Also, of course, the SPARTAN ULTRA needs a first proper outing to test it’s GPS…
I’ve only had the M600 a little while. It looks good. First up and most importantly: YES IT DOES MANUAL LAPS Glad that’s out of the way, it was a recent firmware addition. You press the button. It adds a manual lap. Simple. Note: This is a first impression of the product and not in…
Suunto claim to have addressed GPS accuracy issues experienced by some users, see below. Release v1.4.6.624/10Nov2016 I’ve had some good experiences with GPS accuracy of the existing version <here> so, no doubt, the situation will be made worse for me and better for others 🙂 we shall see. I will say it how I find…
I did some more GPS tests with the Spartan Sport. This time more challenging. Once again it did quite well. Sorry! I can only say what I find, maybe I have a good one? Maybe the pre-workout sync and dummy run make a difference? – which I have noted before. NOTE: This time I’ve put the workout…
To the right is a map of the course that I use for GPS tests of sports watches. I put the full FIT/TCX/HRM files online for those who wish to do any further analysis and/or to verify/dispute results. I am happy to change any of my inferences if you correctly interpret the files differently. There…
Garmin’s Vector 2 pedals are ANT+ compatible, dual-sided power meters. They are compatible with LOOK KEO cleats. They should fit into the thread of any crank but do not consider that carte-blanche to use with your MTB or with carbon cranks. The Vector 2s are essentially the same as the Version 1 Vector but come with a…
