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…
Today’s new firmware for the SPARTAN is annoying as I now have to re-do a GPS test I did last week 🙂 although hopefully this line from the Suunto update notes “This update also brings a new GPS firmware to improve general tracking accuracy” suggests that the test might be worth re-doing and will find increased…
Planning well in advance, Fossil-owned Misfit have announced their new watch for July 2017. It looks GREAT with a REALLY nice looking interface. Perhaps a little too thick a body for a fashion-oriented watch? It seems to be a fairly basic fitness watch from a functional perspective but with GPS, oHR and with untethered music. Which is…
I guess I’m fairly happy with the Fenix 3. For me it does most of what I need. Perhaps the GPS could be improved slightly – it’s largely OK when I use it. We’ve speculated on some likely features for the Fenix 5 based on what has already been added to the CHRONOS and on…
Lezyne make some interesting devices and I reviewed the super GPS cycling computer a while back with a relatively recent update to the review <here>. One of their more interesting models (that I haven’t had hands-on time with) is the wrist-based Enhanced Micro C – colour GPS watch – as shown to the right (it has TBT…
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…
This is the course that I use as a standard course for GPS tests. 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 is subjectivity, I am…
Currently many sports devices use GPS for positioning. There are a constellation of up to 31/32 GPS satellites at any one time doing their thing. Not all are operational at any one time. GPS is the name specifically for the American positioning system. It’s fairly hard to get GPS accuracy below 5m, indeed the precision of GPS…
Garmin’s upcoming Fenix 4 is rumoured <here> to have a new and improved EXO-2 antennae. How does this development in the quest for Garmin’s GPS accuracy sit compared to the SPARTAN’s SirfStar V (SirfStar 5) chipset? ** FENIX 4 – Some hardware specs leaked HERE. Certainly there seems to be a mixed bag of opinions on the SPARTAN’s GPS…
This is my 1500m weekend swim course. I do it a LOT. The SPARTAN is in RED and clearly the track is not as good as that of the 920XT. The SPARTAN seems to have me swimming backwards in places which is clearly wrong. I may be bad but I’m not THAT bad. The 920XT’s…
After a Half-Iron distance race at the weekend, today was still a recovery day. 10k on a bike seemed sensible enough as did the thought of combining that into a GPS test. The cunning plan was to circle the Roundabout-of-GPS-Doom. Perhaps a faster-moving me might give rise to different GPS results than previous running-based tests?…
Should I ? Or shouldn’t I? Do I go Garmin for the Hever HIM this weekend? I know the Garmin Forerunner 920XT will be fine as will the Garmin HRM-TRI. I have some new apps to try out on the Garmin Edge 820 from XERT that are super cool. The Garmin footpod is a necessity…
Lezyne Super GPS Review This Lezyne Super GPS Review discovers an uncomfortable truth for Garmin. Other cycling computers can make highly competent devices for much lower prices. In some people’s eyes, striaghtforward cycling-focussed devices like the Super GPS are plausible contenders for the accolade of Best Cycling Computer. Highly creditable alternatives to Garmin cycling computers…
The Lezyne range of cycling computers are certainly interesting and often overlooked. They are better known amongst MTB riders for their ruggedness. But essentially there is no reason why you wouldn’t use one on the road or in the ‘shed of pain’ over the winter. As a range they are well made and have all the…
The main purpose of this test was to put my mind to rest about what seems to be great hardware in the Suunto SPARTAN ULTRA using last week’s firmware v1.1.30. Hopefully my GPS test might, or might not, also allay the fears of some AMBIT 3 users contemplating a Suunto upgrade for Christmas. Backstory: I’ve probably used…
Most reviews are based on the original 2015 unit. Things have moved on with improvements to the device’s software. Let’s see how the improvements stack up approaching Summer 2016. You can find a much more detailed review (here). But first I’ll try to position the product for you so you understand where it really sits.…
I was perhaps a little unfair when I ‘berated’ the vivosmart HR a while back. Mostly I focussed on my personal aversion towards its looks and also a lack of GPS. Well Garmin are about to announce a GPS version (kudos; circe, ty for the leaked info!) and also several people did write to say that…
