Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[albert]

Hello Team Globalsat,

I know your are building a new bicycle computer GPS based.
I like to contribute my ideas to it, hopefully others reading this are sharing there knowledge.

First of all the thinks I like it to do:

• Speed and distance true sensor, multi users on GPS
• HR monitor
• cadence with sensor
• smart trackback system like GH625,561 and GH505
• alarms like in the GH625, but not with first priority so easy to skip
• HR alarm as little hart symbol and reverse blinking when not in set range
• All totals saved in bicycle computer
• avg in km/h, with actual speed an little arrow for above avg or under
• pc link for downloading, evaluation and track/route uploading
• external easy loading the battery
• easy switch from gps map to actual bicycle screens and functions
• a extended configuration to choose what to be on or off, because also the capability of multi user

This is not all but a start at least.

Regards,

Albert

[jervanheg]

I'd love to contribute as well... But I'm a mountainbiker, currently using GH625' but also Edge705, vista HCX and Edge 500. Apart from that, I' m fairly normal.
I guess a first question would be whether the cycling computer will support maps, as much of the possible functionality depends on that. As I've used both ( and, being mountainbiker, they need to be topographical maps), I hope any contributions may help... i haven't found the ideal product yet!

Jeroen

[albert]

Hallo Jeroen,

I guess a first question would be whether the cycling computer will support maps, as much of the possible functionality depends on that. As I've used both ( and, being mountainbiker, they need to be topographical maps), I hope any contributions may help... i haven't found the ideal product yet!

I think it will be not with map at first, but it would be very nice if this computer could be upgraded to map support. I just got a question from a bicycle mate, see has a ege 500 and wants to sell it because it not reliable and the holder is not very good. See likes to go over to GH product, I told her that the bicycle computer is coming this year. See likes a topographical map as well, did you read this Geoffrey!

regards,

Albert
 

[jervanheg]

It' quite unlikely though. One of the reasons (possibly the most important one) Garmin is so dominant in Outdoor (walking/hiking/cycling) is the availability of Topomaps for almost every country. Not easy for a vendor to replicate that, as you'd need to approach each country individually to acquire such maps. Topo-OSM is still in its infancy, so not a real solution here, and DIY-solutions with OziExplorer and the likes is just too difficult.

So I'm assuming this is not a route GS will be taking. Therefor, the real competitor is indeed the Edge 500, which admittingly does tick many boxes (for the average user) in the non-map devices category.
Smart Trackback is the feature that could possibly give GS a competitive edge, as well as other more extended navigation features. Such would require :
- high-resolution screen with several gray values
- high-sensitivity GPS chip/antenna
- small, light, but with screen big enough to display up to 8 customiseable fields
- "profiles" to easily switch between modes (mountainbike vs. roadbike)
- powerful processor for fluent trackback
- north up/heading up switchable
- battery life of Min. 8 hours
- waterproof
- quick-release mount
- buttons to be useable wearing gloves
- mount compatible with several diameters
- possible 2 mounts included (mountainbike/roadbike)
- F(*&%#$#-proof pc connection (Mini or Micro-USB preferred)
- virtual partner preferably
- "smart" point recording

Also, -GS, are you hearing this?- direct compatability with GPX format is a must. The "walled garden" Garmin pushes with their Garmin Connect doesn't go well with most users I know of.

[albert]

Hello GS team,

I did put every thing together in one list.

First of all the things I like it to do (Albert):
•   Speed and distance true sensor, multi users on GPS
•   HR monitor, with belt (coded is better but could also be 5khz)
•   cadence with sensor
•   smart trackback system like GH625,561 and GH505
•   alarms like in the GH625, but not with first priority so easy to skip
•   HR alarm as little hart symbol and reverse blinking when not in set range
•   All totals saved in bicycle computer
•   avg in km/h, with actual speed an little arrow for above avg or under
•   pc link for downloading, evaluation and track/route uploading
•   external easy loading the battery
•   easy switch from gps map to actual bicycle screens and functions
•   a extended configuration to choose what to be on or off, because also the capability of multi user

•   Jeroen van de berg
•   - high-resolution screen with several gray values
- high-sensitivity GPS chip/antenna
- small, light, but with screen big enough to display up to 8 customizable fields
- "profiles" to easily switch between modes (mountain bike vs. roadbike)
- powerful processor for fluent trackback
- north up/heading up switch-able
- battery life of Min. 8 hours
- waterproof
- quick-release mount
- buttons to be useable wearing gloves
- mount compatible with several diameters
- possible 2 mounts included (mountainbike/roadbike)
- F(*&%#$#-proof pc connection (Mini or Micro-USB preferred)
- virtual partner preferably
- "smart" point recording

Also, -GS, are you hearing this?- direct compatibility with GPX format is a must.
•   Albert
•   Slope in %
•   Geographical cards in future so you can create off line( in holidays) still routes and follow  them with the bicycle computer (if possible also in de bicycle computer)
•   Easy to use and create  routes and  see performance with pc software
•   Selling ad ones (ANT technology by GS) like power and cadence/speed and so on.
•   The functions what’s  available in GH625, 505
•   I like the user pages a lot in the 625, but it is now not easy accessible when in map mode.
•   A holder like a rubber block for the steering from the bike or other reliable solution.

• A possibility to store all totals and others, except GPS, when main battery is low

Cost price around the € 200, in the shops is a fair price with inside the geographical map capability, this without the geographical maps from different countries of course.   

Regards,


Albert

[TWG_TECH8]

Dear all,

Thank you all providing so much useful ideas.Our team is cooking the product
hard and here is the rough skretch for your reference.

 

We also take into consideration of the holder enchancement, separate antenna and longer battery life as longer as 18 hours.
It also support PC connection, waterproof and easy operation.
Smart Trackback, routes, more training informations will also be implemented.

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

[albert]

Dear all,

Thank you all providing so much useful ideas.Our team is cooking the product
hard and here is the rough skretch for your reference.

 

We also take into consideration of the holder enchancement, separate antenna and longer battery life as longer as 18 hours.
It also support PC connection, waterproof and easy operation.
Smart Trackback, routes, more training informations will also be implemented.

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

Hi Geoffrey,

Good to hear the long live battery, extremely important for long distance work.
Two questions:
1. what is connector doing?
2. PACE is not used in bicycle land, we use AVG in km/h. In other sports OK, so long we can chose between the two.
Two of my team club mates are serious waiting for the specks and how it will look.
They even consider to sell their Garmin Edge 500 , because they see the difference between my GH625, being reliable, good performance and above all the support.

   
Regards,

Albert

[TWG_TECH8]

Dear all,

Thank you all providing so much useful ideas.Our team is cooking the product
hard and here is the rough skretch for your reference.

 

We also take into consideration of the holder enchancement, separate antenna and longer battery life as longer as 18 hours.
It also support PC connection, waterproof and easy operation.
Smart Trackback, routes, more training informations will also be implemented.

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

Hi Geoffrey,

Good to hear the long live battery, extremely important for long distance work.
Two questions:
1. what is connector doing?
2. PACE is not used in bicycle land, we use AVG in km/h. In other sports OK, so long we can chose between the two.
Two of my team club mates are serious waiting for the specks and how it will look.
They even consider to sell their Garmin Edge 500 , because they see the difference between my GH625, being reliable, good performance and above all the support.

   
Regards,

Albert

Hi Albert,

Thanks for information.
Here is my comments regarding your questions.

1. what is connector doing?

Mini USB.

2. PACE is not used in bicycle land, we use AVG in km/h. In other sports OK, so long we can chose between the two.

Thanks, AVG SPD will instead of PACE. BTW, we also plan a wrist strap to wear the device as a watch.

Two of my team club mates are serious waiting for the specks and how it will look.
They even consider to sell their Garmin Edge 500 , because they see the difference between my GH625, being reliable, good performance and above all the support.

Really? What problem of Garmin Edge500? GPS reception or other unreliable problem?

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

[albert]

Hi Geoffrey,

    Two of my team club mates are serious waiting for the specks and how it will look.
    They even consider to sell their Garmin Edge 500 , because they see the difference between my GH625, being reliable, good performance and above all the support.

Really? What problem of Garmin Edge500? GPS reception or other unreliable problem?

It stops sometimes without reason and it needs a reset, they now did send it back and after long conversation (still guaranty) they get a new one. But GPX from Garmin is not universal, if I give my gpx files it takes for them a long time before it loads in and it hangs sometime, not the gpx from Garmin it self.It drops from the bike due to bad design from holder. So basic, they have had it with bad support and bad design.

regards,

Albert

       

[zingo]

Thanks, AVG SPD will instead of PACE.

As a runner I want PACE but I assume the fields a configurable like in gh505

BTW, we also plan a wrist strap to wear the device as a watch.

Like this:

or 90degrees turned so the screen is in the right direction?

Image is from http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review.html thanx canedian for the link to this site.

I like the sceenshots, don't know If I like it for running yet, It seem to be same size as Garmin Edge 500, maybe the formfactor works. Will you be able to reuse the firmware used in gh505 regading the non screen parts so it will have kind of all the features in gh505 ?

[TWG_TECH8]

Dear all,

Here is our design concept of cycle computer:



The dimension would be 45*65*18mm, the smallest GPS cycle computer.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

[TWG_TECH8]

Thanks, AVG SPD will instead of PACE.

As a runner I want PACE but I assume the fields a configurable like in gh505

BTW, we also plan a wrist strap to wear the device as a watch.

Like this:

or 90degrees turned so the screen is in the right direction?

Image is from http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review.html thanx canedian for the link to this site.

I like the sceenshots, don't know If I like it for running yet, It seem to be same size as Garmin Edge 500, maybe the formfactor works. Will you be able to reuse the firmware used in gh505 regading the non screen parts so it will have kind of all the features in gh505 ?

Hi Zingo,

It looks interesting. We would tilt it 45 degree not 90 degree, so it will be easier to read.
We plan it is easy to use not so many functions as GH-505.
Any ideas?

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

[albert]

Dear all,

Here is our design concept of cycle computer:



The dimension would be 45*65*18mm, the smallest GPS cycle computer.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

Hallo Geoffrey,

Looks real nice.
Is the GPS receiver in the bottom or top?, If we put it on the bike You hang a bit over the steering so it could be important to have it on the top, for better reception. 

Regards,

Albert   

[TWG_TECH8]

Dear all,

Here is our design concept of cycle computer:



The dimension would be 45*65*18mm, the smallest GPS cycle computer.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey

Hallo Geoffrey,

Looks real nice.
Is the GPS receiver in the bottom or top?, If we put it on the bike You hang a bit over the steering so it could be important to have it on the top, for better reception. 

Regards,

Albert

Hi Albert,

Thanks for reminder and praise.
We locate antenna on the top, so the performance is good even steering it.


Sincerely,

Geoffrey

[jervanheg]

When comparing the smallest font size (ie. as many data fields as possible) to Edge 500, how do they compare?
(or, in other words, the seemingly smal screen size may be an issue for many people... the large bezel suggests a larger screen surface  may be technically possible).