TackTracker

You can use almost any GPS with TackTracker, but it is true that some will give better results than others. Here is a quick guide to help you on your way:

GPS Survey

A quick survery of some popular GPS models is shown below. TackTracker stocks the QStarz BT-Q1000X which we feel offers the best balance of features for price for a travel recorder. We have written drivers for the BT-Q1000X so the tracks load right in and you don't need to use intermediate software.

The Windsurfing community has standardized on the Locosys GT-31, which is also a very good unit, and recommended if you need a display and can make use of interactive features.  TackTracker supports the GT-31 by offering direct import of SBP files from the SD card.

What to Look For:

Can it record a track?

A GPS tracker records a track by logging "trackpoints" to memory. At a minimum, each trackpoint records the position (latitude and longitude) and time of day.

How many points?

A GPS designed primarily for recording tracks will be able to store at least 70,000 trackpoints. This is ample for several full days of racing, depending on the logging interval. Note that the capacity may vary depending on the GPS logging mode. So even though the manufacturer may claim 12 hours of capacity - this may not turn out to be the case.

When are the points recorded?

The GPS may record points by time interval, e.g. every 2 or 5 seconds, or by distance, e.g. every 10 meters. Either method is suitable, although I personally prefer time based recording. Ideally the interval should be programmable through TackTracker, as is the case with the QStarz BT-Q1000X. On some units, a complicated sequence of buttons must be pressed to get the desired mode.

How is the data uploaded?

The GPS must be able to upload the track to a PC in GPX, NMEA or other supported format. (TackTracker can also read Velocitek's .VCC and Locosys SBP files.)

Look for a USB connection to your PC for fast upload. Consider how many software utilities you need to use to get the data into NMEA or GPX format for TackTracker.

TackTracker can load data directly from the QStarz BT-Q1000 series and the AMOD AGL 3080 GPS without any intermediate software. This is a great time-saver!

Battery Life

You don't want your GPS to run out of charge during an important race. Look for rechargable Li-ion battery with a long operation time. Models that take 3 AAA batteries are suitable for personal use, but not for large scale use at a regatta, where ease of recharging is a key factor.

Competitor Identification

TackTracker stores competitor information, such as boat name, sail number and skipper on the QStarz BT-Q1000X GPS unit itself. This feature can save a lot of time and eliminate errors, as the ID information is loaded into TackTracker along with the tracks.

Other Considerations:

Waterproof?

The lower cost units are not waterproof, which means that extra care need be taken to keep them dry whilst on the water. However, this is not difficult - if, for example, you use a Phone Coat pouch. If you want truly waterproof, you will need to pay a significant price premium.

Does it have a display?

The QStarz Travel Recorder GPS's do not have a display.  We normally see this as a good thing: the GPS is not a source of distraction whilst racing.  In many cases a GPS with display would be disallowed by class rules. Also a display will consume considerably more battery charge.

However, you will need a display if you want to use your GPS to view your speed and distances in real time.  The Locosys GT-31/BGT-31 and The Velocitek models (Speedpuck and SC-1) all have displays.