Locosys announces Speed GPS GX-52

This(Pursuits 40) is rated to 100ft and will fit 2 x GW-52 and aux battery

www.mastershop.com.au/

When I tested the watch last year the first thing I noticed was the touch screen.I was immediately aware that touch screens don't work with water contact on the screen and this tested that way.I reported this in my reply to locosys at the time.This was a fundamental design flaw imo.
It appears that this design is a compromise.
A lot of manufacturers have different cradles and the like for charging and downloading without the need for a USB port.
I have the quatix and this design is superb except for the lack of suitable data for our needs.,

I highlighted these issues in an email to Locosys last week and have been in conversation with them since. I have given them a link to this thread too so all concerns are being seen first- hand.
The strongest points are as Daffy states;

Interface/touchscreen thru bag and when wet
Water resistance/USB port
Battery capacity

A GPS for sailing that is not waterproof ????? why would you buy one ! I think my GT31 is good for the Job! you would think they would improve not go backwards

NOT Water proof
Less battery life
Touch Screen that is unlikely to work on in a bag
small memory

4 gigantic backwards steps

ok.thanks

You knew it was suspect as soon as you saw the stock photographs of windsurfers they chose. Admit it.

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A GPS designed for windsurfing that is not waterproof and has a touch screen.
At least the battery lasts 1 year if you only use it for a watch.

I'm pretty positive that if we can influence Locosys to make the necessary improvements to the product for it to be successful at market, we will be able to supply them with a better image to use for their web marketing.

SO

Lets see what you all think would be appropriate in terms of imagery and we can give them some good ideas!! Pics anyone??

I had a completely different experience with my GT-31. When the Aquapac leaked and allowed a tiny quantity of water inside, mine just drowned.
I think that: 1) either IPX7 is not enough, or the GT-31 was largely overstated; and 2) survival of GPS loggers when wet should not be an issue of fates but should rather be granted by proper waterproofing.
In the meanwhile I bought me a Paqua bag for my Canmore (the bag costed me way more than the logger).

In my view (I already wrote this somewhere else, but maybe Locosys is really reading this forum): the ideal solution for waterproofing was already being followed by Garmin with the Foretrex. The outside contacts and the "cradle". I don't see a safer way in order to provide safe waterproofing AND data output and recharging (unless going the wireless path, which I don't like personally - keep it simple). The problem with the Foretrex was waterproofing of the screen, but that one can be easily solved. And, size and wearability were really OK in my view, too.

Great improvements Phil

It appears that many who emailed Locosys with their concerns got the almost identical answer.

It also appears that they have heeded our concerns regarding the waterproofing of the casing to at least conceded that they may be able to make it IPX7.
This is quite a big thing and good news as it should make the unit usable in a waterproof bag, whereas without that, it would be very vulnerable to condensation and leaks in the bag.
Even the best waterproof bags eventually leak at least a few drops, many fill completely. My GT-31s survived most bag leaks with IPX7 rating.

It is true that 33 hours @ 1hz logging should adequate for a 24 hr attempt or a couple of days sailing whist on vacation away from a suitable windows computer, but that is still inadequate in many ways. For a start, you need to have a Windows computer available that has the proprietary drivers and software to download the data. Also, if you are speed sailing and therefore using the much better 5hz logging, you will only get a bit over 6hrs which is one day for many users. This highlights the previous point where you must have available the properly set up Windows computer after every session. What about all of us who have Apple Mac computers, or even those who use Linux?

The battery life is limited to around 8hrs at 1hz logging. Less at 5hz logging. They have not provided specification for battery life at 5hz logging yet. It may not be enough to cover a typical session! Even if it is, we all know that, typically, battery life degenerates during the life of the product. That seems to be cutting it way too fine.

It would seem obvious that if they could give the very small and compact watch that same battery life, there should be plenty of room in this much larger case for a much larger battery. Using an external USB battery pack may be some sort of solution, but it is hardly a good one. If there is not enough room in the case, they should make it larger (and certainly should have from the start!)

Bottom line: We may have a usable device at a reasonable price, but is is far from what it could have easily been.

Idea : just wondering how they water proof the wiring on underwater robots there might be a answer there somewhere !