Help with using a Windows specific GPS product on a PowerBook
January 18, 2005 5:43 PM Subscribe
I have had a gigantic crush on this product ever since my friend got one. Small (big!) problem though- the software for this specific GPS watch only runs on PC, and I have a PowerBook! (+)
The important features for me are the speed and elevation tracking logs and the satellite-overlay feature that draws where you ran on a real image of your location.
If you have any personal experience with products of this nature and you'd like to make a recommendation, that's cool too.
The important features for me are the speed and elevation tracking logs and the satellite-overlay feature that draws where you ran on a real image of your location.
If you have any personal experience with products of this nature and you'd like to make a recommendation, that's cool too.
I didn't see the Forerunner supported on the MacGPS Pro list, but it looks like this might do what you're looking for. I can't tell you if it works or not (I'm on Windows), but you're not missing much with the Logbook PC software that comes with the Forerunner. I learned the hard way that it only pulls full data from the last 15 rides/runs - everything else is just partial data.
As far as I can tell, what you need is software that pulls the info from the unit and converts it to XML. All of the shareware that does the mapping, overlays, and elevation just uses the exported XML (and sometimes converts it to CSV). And I CAN tell you that your crush is completely justified. I love mine .
posted by monkeystronghold at 6:21 PM on January 18, 2005
As far as I can tell, what you need is software that pulls the info from the unit and converts it to XML. All of the shareware that does the mapping, overlays, and elevation just uses the exported XML (and sometimes converts it to CSV). And I CAN tell you that your crush is completely justified. I love mine .
posted by monkeystronghold at 6:21 PM on January 18, 2005
Wait! The Forerunner 301 comes out soon. It also includes a heart rate monitor.
Although not the most fit individual, my Garmin totally helps me train for 1/2 marathons - it's useful even for short 8k races. I do a presentation at our local Running Room here in Kensington in Calgary and devote an entire hour to how to use this device.
The software is horrible, but sites like GPS Visualizer and software packages like Topofusion make my Garmin indespensable!
Shameless self plug - but my running site has a good selections of graphs that I use to help me track my runs - all generated from my Garmin + GPS visualizer.
posted by burhan at 6:33 PM on January 18, 2005
Although not the most fit individual, my Garmin totally helps me train for 1/2 marathons - it's useful even for short 8k races. I do a presentation at our local Running Room here in Kensington in Calgary and devote an entire hour to how to use this device.
The software is horrible, but sites like GPS Visualizer and software packages like Topofusion make my Garmin indespensable!
Shameless self plug - but my running site has a good selections of graphs that I use to help me track my runs - all generated from my Garmin + GPS visualizer.
posted by burhan at 6:33 PM on January 18, 2005
Response by poster: monkeystronghold (and everyone)- thanks for what you've suggested so far. My friend with the forerunner is coming over later and we're gonna try uploading stuff onto my computer using this stuff. If it works, I'm gonna buy one myself!
If anyone else has suggestions, don't let me stop you!
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:49 PM on January 18, 2005
If anyone else has suggestions, don't let me stop you!
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:49 PM on January 18, 2005
But it's not really a watch is it? I have one of these.
Doesn't help you much, just bragging.
posted by krisjohn at 3:03 AM on January 19, 2005
Doesn't help you much, just bragging.
posted by krisjohn at 3:03 AM on January 19, 2005
Out of curiosity, what's the advantage of one of these devices? I mean... I get the basics of course, but how do you use it in your daily training?
posted by ph00dz at 7:16 AM on January 19, 2005
posted by ph00dz at 7:16 AM on January 19, 2005
The advantages for me are this:
An altimeter computer for my bike will run $100 - $300. If I have a few bikes, that's a bunch of money I have to put in. And those generally only keep data for a single ride. The Forerunner gives me all of the same computer/altimeter data, is generally more accurate, doesn't need a wheel sensor, can be recharged, and can store data for a year. For about $100.
That, and the route overlay is so much fun. Adding to what burhan said above, GPSVisualizer is great because the maps are exported in SVG, and it color codes the value of your choice (speed, elevation, etc) on the route overlay. I also use USAPhotoMaps - it supports the more recent urban area higher res satellite images, and stores the images locally so you can zoom in and out to look at the details of your route.
Sorry for the long winded response.
posted by monkeystronghold at 9:07 AM on January 19, 2005
An altimeter computer for my bike will run $100 - $300. If I have a few bikes, that's a bunch of money I have to put in. And those generally only keep data for a single ride. The Forerunner gives me all of the same computer/altimeter data, is generally more accurate, doesn't need a wheel sensor, can be recharged, and can store data for a year. For about $100.
That, and the route overlay is so much fun. Adding to what burhan said above, GPSVisualizer is great because the maps are exported in SVG, and it color codes the value of your choice (speed, elevation, etc) on the route overlay. I also use USAPhotoMaps - it supports the more recent urban area higher res satellite images, and stores the images locally so you can zoom in and out to look at the details of your route.
Sorry for the long winded response.
posted by monkeystronghold at 9:07 AM on January 19, 2005
It helps me in my pacing - to ensure that I'm not running too fast or too slow. It also does interval training (ie. alarm every km, then let me walk for 1min, etc.)
It's invaluable for runners. (and it can be used as a watch - granted, an oversized huge one, but it could be used as one)
posted by burhan at 10:10 AM on January 19, 2005
It's invaluable for runners. (and it can be used as a watch - granted, an oversized huge one, but it could be used as one)
posted by burhan at 10:10 AM on January 19, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by stovenator at 5:52 PM on January 18, 2005