This little GPS logger, the i-gotU GT-120 is a fabulous gadget, commonly used in orienteering circles to log tracks as GPS units with screen display are not allowed. I’ve found the i-gotU especially useful for logging my orienteering race tracks as well as recording paddling distances during training sessions. Combined with the open-source orienteering software, QuickRoute, i-gotU becomes an analytical tool.
Cost: R590.00
Delivery: Hand delivery at races or around-and-about in Gauteng – no charge. Courier delivery according to location (will be quoted first).
Available through www.AR.co.za
Contact Lisa at lisa@ar.co.za
Review – by Lisa de Speville
The unit is small and easy-to-use. Push and hold the button to turn on. A blue light flashes. When it gets a fix on a GPS signal, the red light flashes. Pop it in a pouch around your upper arm or zip it in the top of your backpack and go. When you finish, press and hold the button to turn off. Then, when you get home, plug in its USB cable and download to your computer.
There are three view options on the @ trip PC software that comes with the unit. I like the sports view for the trip duration, altitude profile, elevation loss and gain and average speed display. Yes, Google Earth is integrated to superimpose your track on the ground.
I’ve had recent fun with the open-source orienteering software, QuickRoute. I scan my O map and then export my track from the i-gotU in .gpx format. Both files are opened in QuickRoute, where the track is superimposed over the map. You do have to drag points on the track – like start and finish and some controls – to corresponding locations on the map to get the correct scale and proportions. Child’s play. The neatest tool is the addition of shading to your track to indicate pace (min/km). Mmm… it really does highlight how my pace slows substantially over rocky terrain, which is not my favourite! I do edit my track on the @ trip PC software to exclude logged points from before the race starts and after the finish, before I turn off the unit.
Although the whole ‘selling point’ for this unit is to geotag photographs, its not really my thing. But maybe at some stage if I’m scouting a route I’ll find it useful to sync my camera with the i-gotU to geotag images. The idea behind this is that your image displays on your route – pretty much like what happens with photos on Google Earth, only these are tagged to your track. And they can, of course, be auto-uploaded to Flickr and Picasa, with your route exported to Google Earth.
I’m not yet sure how long the battery lasts. I’ve logged just over 11.5hrs and I haven’t recharged it fully yet. The unit does power-up whenever I plug it in to my computer (USB charger) to download tracks. Kinetic’s Full Moon race will be a nice test of continuous use. [UPDATE: the unit, fully charged, ran for 17h36 minutes at Full Moon (recording every six seconds, in the cold and including an unplanned swim in the dam!]
The unit is water resistant, not waterproof.
Lisa’s blog posts on the i-gotU:
- Ultra O at Mohale’s South (20 June 2010)
- Measuring paddle distance and speed (16 June 2010)
- Testing QuickRoute (12 June 2010)
- A weekend of O (6 June 2010)
More information:
Product website: www.i-gotu.com (there’s a nice little demo video ofplaying the track in 3D through Google Earth; and it demonstrates the photo-tagging display).
I think that Michael Crone’s mom made the lycra type armbands
awesome gadget and great price. my biggest problem with it is remembering where it is. it is so small that it disappears in a pocket. Lisa you should look into making lycra armband holders for it – i was never sure where to store it during an event so that it god satellite coverage, but was not at risk of getting lost.
You’re right – it is a wee little thing. Great idea about lycra armband holders – I’ll look into it next week. I’m sure I saw Tania with a lycra-type armband? I’ll ask her to send me a pic to check out.