Forums > Windsurfing   Gps and Speed talk

Alternative to the GT-31

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Created by Tony Polony > 9 months ago, 11 Feb 2015
seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
7 May 2015 6:53PM
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thanks for the feedback !!!

jn1
2454 posts
7 May 2015 7:17PM
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sailquik said..
I have not connected a computer to it yet to download. To my great frustration, it is Windoze only and there is no Mac software interface. A major fault right there!!

When you say the above, do you mean that you need Locosys's proprietary software to download the data off the unit ? (which is MeSsy Windows software ?)

Thanks for the info

J

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
7 May 2015 10:28PM
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jn1 said..
sailquik said..
I have not connected a computer to it yet to download. To my great frustration, it is Windoze only and there is no Mac software interface. A major fault right there!!

When you say the above, do you mean that you need Locosys's proprietary software to download the data off the unit ? (which is MeSsy Windows software ?)

Thanks for the info

J



Yes, that is my understanding.

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
7 May 2015 10:38PM
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decrepit said..
I plan to pick up Surf Sail Australia's unit tomorrow, if I'm feeling adventurous enough I'll try installing the associated firmware in Ubuntu.

quick start guide and software are here.
http://www.locosystech.com/MAP/GW-52_Utility_150427.zip

Anything you want me to check Andrew?


Thanks Mike. Hmm, is that an old link you saved? I can't find anything to do with the GX-52 on their website now except a banner with some pictures.

It would be good if you could do a bit of geostationary logging with side by side GT-31 and GX-52. The more the better.

Any sailing side by side testing is useful as well. Make note of antenna orientation if possible. I am interested to know if it is more sensitive to this than the GT-31, but I think the larger antenna in the GX-52 will be comparable in sensitivity to the GT-31, and hopefully better.


decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
7 May 2015 10:22PM
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sailquik said..
>>

Thanks Mike. Hmm, is that an old link you saved? I can't find anything to do with the GX-52 on their website now except a banner with some pictures.

It would be good if you could do a bit of geostationary logging with side by side GT-31 and GX-52. The more the better.

Any sailing side by side testing is useful as well. Make note of antenna orientation if possible. I am interested to know if it is more sensitive to this than the GT-31, but I think the larger antenna in the GX-52 will be comparable in sensitivity to the GT-31, and hopefully better.




Andrew Mark only referred to a GW52, not a GX52. Looks like we may have some light wind on Sunday so keep fingers crossed. I'll do a battery and geostationary test with both units side by side.

Reading the quick start guide it doesn't look as if we have a scrolling "history max", but it is available if you can work the touch screen on the water. I'll be very interested to see just what it does.

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
7 May 2015 10:25PM
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jn1 said..

>>>>


When you say the above, do you mean that you need Locosys's proprietary software to download the data off the unit ? (which is MeSsy Windows software ?)

Thanks for the info

J



The "readme note" in the usb driver installer says,

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Supported OS
***************

+ Windows 98SE, 2000, XP, Vista, Seven (x86 & x64 Windows platforms)

seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
8 May 2015 7:47AM
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no windows 8 ? that would be an error.

berowne
NSW, 1300 posts
8 May 2015 8:14AM
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decrepit said...
I plan to pick up Surf Sail Australia's unit tomorrow....


Any indication of retail pricing availae yet?

Boombuster
QLD, 571 posts
8 May 2015 10:44AM
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Daff, any idea of the water proof rating yet I see the plug for the USB could leak but is the rest water tight maybe wear it without a case & test it for us with yours in time.

seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
8 May 2015 11:14AM
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I'm confused, Andrew your model is a GW52 isn't it ? What's the Gx ?

Boombuster
QLD, 571 posts
8 May 2015 12:59PM
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Got info on latest GW-52 can reach IPX7 level as GT-31.

For protecting unit and extend its life, we strongly recommend you to use a waterproof bag/housing(IPX8 level) when using your unit. Again, IPX7 is tested in the still water for 30minutes at a depth of 1 meter. But it still won’t withstand the use of in extreme sports, like windsurfing.

jn1
2454 posts
8 May 2015 12:51PM
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Sailquik: With your GX/GW52's sensitivity test, a larger antenna (aperture) won't normally increase it's gain (although there are exceptions). When I get my unit (pending OS compatibility and UTC display), I'll estimate it's directivity if you are interested ?. OR you could determine this by analysing the signal strength data supplied in the NMEA0183 sentences (the GT31 logged this data, so I assume the GW can as well) and then compare the signal strengths against different orientations of the device. My bet is that's it's isotropic.

decrepit: Thanks for the info. I'm waiting to see how you download data onto your Ubuntu OS computer. Keep up the good work

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
8 May 2015 3:24PM
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jn1 said..
Sailquik: With your GX/GW52's sensitivity test, a larger antenna (aperture) won't normally increase it's gain (although there are exceptions). When I get my unit (pending OS compatibility and UTC display), I'll estimate it's directivity if you are interested ?. OR you could determine this by analysing the signal strength data supplied in the NMEA0183 sentences (the GT31 logged this data, so I assume the GW can as well) and then compare the signal strengths against different orientations of the device. My bet is that's it's isotropic.

decrepit: Thanks for the info. I'm waiting to see how you download data onto your Ubuntu OS computer. Keep up the good work



JN1 - that's all Chinese to me
Sailquik: Youle nín de GX/ GW52 di yào min shìyàn, yigè jiào dà de tianxiàn (guangquan) tongcháng bù huì zengjia ta de zengyì (suirán yeyou lìwài). Dang wo ná dào wo danwèi (dàidìng caozuò xìtong de jianróng xìng hé UTC xianshìqì), wo jiù gujì zhè shì fangxiàng xìng de, rúguo ni you xìngqù? Huòzhe ni keyi tongguò fèn xi jùzi NMEA0183 tígong de xìnhào qiángdù shu jù quèdìng zhè (zài GT31 jìlù ci shùjù, suoyi wo jiadìng GW keyi wéi hao), ránhòu bijiào de zhuangzhì de bùtóng fangwèi de xìnhào qiángdù. Wo gan dadu, zhè shì ta de gè xiàng tóngxìng de.


Out of interest don't the GW52 require an SD card?

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
8 May 2015 4:57PM
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Berowne, Picked my test unit up today from Mark at Surf sail Australia, he says they haven't given any indication of pricing yet.

Sausage, there's no card slot, it's internal memory only, so you have to be able to communicate with the unit.
One of the first things I plan to check, is how long it records for in 1hz and 5hz modes.

JN1, I've been thinking about it and I'm not very positive, even if the software will run under wine, Ubuntu still has to mount the thing, I can't see a windows driver being any help there.

I'll do all the other tests before I try this, just in case I brick it in the process.
Unit is now charging (needs 2 hours apparently) and I've printed out the instruction manual.

Looking at the usb cover, I wouldn't trust the unit in water. there doesn't seem to be any pressure between the soft plastic seal and the unit body. Maybe a small piece of duct tape over the seal would do the trick, as long as water pressure didn't tear it off. But that's a messy solution, the body would get sticky very quickly, and the use of solvents could make the display go cloudy.
Just have to see how operable it is in a paqua.

Any more questions/tests?

jn1
2454 posts
8 May 2015 5:33PM
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decrepit said..
JN1, I've been thinking about it and I'm not very positive, even if the software will run under wine, Ubuntu still has to mount the thing, I can't see a windows driver being any help there.

When you get it charged up, plug it in and see if it detects as a USB mass storage device. If you can't determine this, could you PM me the last 30 lines of your /var/log/messages log file (ie: tail -n 30 /var/log/messages) so I can have a look.

berowne
NSW, 1300 posts
8 May 2015 8:05PM
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To make a GPS properly waterproof it seems that we need a device with Bluetooth for data and wireless induction pad for charging.

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
8 May 2015 9:29PM
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seanhogan said..
I'm confused, Andrew your model is a GW52 isn't it ? What's the Gx ?


Opps. The GX is a figment of my senility. Sorry to confuse.

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
8 May 2015 9:34PM
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sausage said..
jn1 said..
Sailquik: With your GX/GW52's sensitivity test, a larger antenna (aperture) won't normally increase it's gain (although there are exceptions). When I get my unit (pending OS compatibility and UTC display), I'll estimate it's directivity if you are interested ?. OR you could determine this by analysing the signal strength data supplied in the NMEA0183 sentences (the GT31 logged this data, so I assume the GW can as well) and then compare the signal strengths against different orientations of the device. My bet is that's it's isotropic.

decrepit: Thanks for the info. I'm waiting to see how you download data onto your Ubuntu OS computer. Keep up the good work



JN1 - that's all Chinese to me
Sailquik: Youle nín de GX/ GW52 di yào min shìyàn, yigè jiào dà de tianxiàn (guangquan) tongcháng bù huì zengjia ta de zengyì (suirán yeyou lìwài). Dang wo ná dào wo danwèi (dàidìng caozuò xìtong de jianróng xìng hé UTC xianshìqì), wo jiù gujì zhè shì fangxiàng xìng de, rúguo ni you xìngqù? Huòzhe ni keyi tongguò fèn xi jùzi NMEA0183 tígong de xìnhào qiángdù shu jù quèdìng zhè (zài GT31 jìlù ci shùjù, suoyi wo jiadìng GW keyi wéi hao), ránhòu bijiào de zhuangzhì de bùtóng fangwèi de xìnhào qiángdù. Wo gan dadu, zhè shì ta de gè xiàng tóngxìng de.


Out of interest don't the GW52 require an SD card?


Google translate say: The clubs in Germany , held GX / min Yao Di GW52 Shiyan , AGER Jiao de angel ( Peter Woo , right ) Tongchang - hui Zengjia up for us to go once ( liwai suiran coconut ) . Dan Wei Na Wo Wo Road Party ( Daiding caozuo Xitong Germany Jianrong Galaxy xianshiqi UTC ) , Wo Jiu Neck Walker Tarot Fangxiang Germany , the pan ni Xingqu you ? Ni Ke Yi Fen Xi Huozhe money in copper pots NMEA0183 rated Germany Melco qiangdu Shu Ju Chul queding ( CI Zai Ji Lushu daisies GT31 , Hao Wei Yi Ke WO Aksoy Jiading GW ) , Germany butong Fang ranhou Zhuangzhi Bijiao Melco qiangdu Weide . Wo liver Dadu , Zhexiang Kate with Heungdeok we go .

That all Vietnamese to me!

But there is no SD car in this unit, unfortunately. :(

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
8 May 2015 9:37PM
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berowne said..
To make a GPS properly waterproof it seems that we need a device with Bluetooth for data and wireless induction pad for charging.


No the only way. The old Garmin Foretrex 201 has contacts and a cradle for connection, but that still was not waterproof enough. The problem was the screen area.

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
8 May 2015 9:38PM
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jn1 said..
decrepit said..
JN1, I've been thinking about it and I'm not very positive, even if the software will run under wine, Ubuntu still has to mount the thing, I can't see a windows driver being any help there.

When you get it charged up, plug it in and see if it detects as a USB mass storage device. If you can't determine this, could you PM me the last 30 lines of your /var/log/messages log file (ie: tail -n 30 /var/log/messages) so I can have a look.



I will be interested to see this also, but I doubt it will be. I actually asked them for this and it was ignored.

berowne
NSW, 1300 posts
9 May 2015 11:46AM
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Dear locosys can you please copy the water proof hatch design of an under water camera.

My cheap ~$100 underwater camera dives to 5m! With a clout screen.

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
9 May 2015 7:43PM
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jn1 said..

>>>


When you get it charged up, plug it in and see if it detects as a USB mass storage device. If you can't determine this, could you PM me the last 30 lines of your /var/log/messages log file (ie: tail -n 30 /var/log/messages) so I can have a look.



OK, I've found these.

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var/log/ker.log


May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.831557] usb 1-1.1.2: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942592] usb 1-1.1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=0483, idProduct=5740
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942596] usb 1-1.1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942599] usb 1-1.1.2: Product: LOCOSYS GPS COM Port
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942602] usb 1-1.1.2: Manufacturer: LOCOSYS Tech
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942604] usb 1-1.1.2: SerialNumber: 666666662222
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.963472] cdc_acm 1-1.1.2:1.0: This device cannot do calls on its own. It is not a modem.
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.963495] cdc_acm 1-1.1.2:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.964090] usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.964092] cdc_acm: USB Abstract Control Model driver for USB modems and ISDN adapters


/var/log/syslog

May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.831557] usb 1-1.1.2: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942592] usb 1-1.1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=0483, idProduct=5740
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942596] usb 1-1.1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942599] usb 1-1.1.2: Product: LOCOSYS GPS COM Port
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942602] usb 1-1.1.2: Manufacturer: LOCOSYS Tech
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.942604] usb 1-1.1.2: SerialNumber: 666666662222
May 9 18:16:02 Percy mtp-probe: checking bus 1, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.1/1-1.1.2"
May 9 18:16:02 Percy mtp-probe: bus: 1, device: 4 was not an MTP device
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.963472] cdc_acm 1-1.1.2:1.0: This device cannot do calls on its own. It is not a modem.
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.963495] cdc_acm 1-1.1.2:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.964090] usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
May 9 18:16:02 Percy kernel: [ 2185.964092] cdc_acm: USB Abstract Control Model driver for USB modems and ISDN adapters
May 9 18:16:17 Percy ModemManager[709]: <info> Creating modem with plugin 'Generic' and '1' ports
May 9 18:16:17 Percy ModemManager[709]: <warn> Could not grab port (tty/ttyACM0): 'Cannot add port 'tty/ttyACM0', unhandled serial type'
May 9 18:16:17 Percy ModemManager[709]: <warn> Couldn't create modem for device at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.1/1-1.1.2': Failed to find primary AT port




decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
9 May 2015 7:47PM
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I've had the GW and GT on the balcony all day, doing a static test. The GW's battery is now flat so I'll load the software into the windows laptop and see how long it recorded for. Back a bit later.

kato
VIC, 3398 posts
9 May 2015 10:26PM
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How long is the battery good for ? and what sort of memory cap are we talking about?

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
9 May 2015 8:51PM
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kato said..
How long is the battery good for ? and what sort of memory cap are we talking about?



Sorry Craig, I was sure I had logging set to 5hz, but the unit's empty and the utility says logging is off. All I know at the moment is it made 6hrs, but didn't make 11hrs.
I'll have another go tomorrow.

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
9 May 2015 10:25PM
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Installed the utility on ubuntu under wine, and it seems to work OK, but the driver doesn't want to install and the utility just come up with com port error when I try to connect to the device. No more than expected really.

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
10 May 2015 12:33AM
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Hi Mike. I also tried to test the GW-52 with a GT-31 today as well. Put them on my dash as I drove into to the Gun Club, left them on the dash all day and drove home again.

Fired up my old XP happy and found.... no file!! What the......!!!!

I had actually twigged that I had 'smart' logging activated which apparently means 1hz logging under genie speed and 5 hz over it. Also has 2 kt min speed so whacked my forehead and realised the stationary test was not going to work. It should have logged the drives though so I will have to have another look tomorrow. I might even get a sailing test!

sailquik
VIC, 6090 posts
10 May 2015 12:33AM
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Here is a nice look at one from Tristan in the UK:

decrepit
WA, 12095 posts
9 May 2015 10:54PM
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sailquik said..
Hi Mike. I also tried to test the GW-52 with a GT-31 today as well. Put them on my dash as I drove into to the Gun Club, left them on the dash all day and drove home again.

Fired up my old XP happy and found.... no file!! What the......!!!!

I had actually twigged that I had 'smart' logging activated which apparently means 1hz logging under genie speed and 5 hz over it. Also has 2 kt min speed so whacked my forehead and realised the stationary test was not going to work. It should have logged the drives though so I will have to have another look tomorrow. I might even get a sailing test!



Bugger!
smart logging sounded like a good idea until I thought about alphas, in my case it's going to switch from 1 to 5 to 1 as I go into the gybe. Just have to use 5hz for alphas I guess.

AUS 808
WA, 455 posts
10 May 2015 11:33AM
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sailquik said..
TGale said..

The seal open showing how it fits into the actual usb port. This should help to seal it better. The door hinges on a tie and can be pivoted aside .


Maybe if the door was a rubber or silicon plug there would be half a chance it would seal, but hard plastic won't do a thing



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Forums > Windsurfing   Gps and Speed talk


"Alternative to the GT-31" started by Tony Polony