GPS Tracking: Smartphone Apps, Dedicated devices - Snowboarding Forum

poutanen · 12-23-2011, 12:26 PM

Well I looked around the forum and didn't see too much on this subject here so I'll start the topic:

I have been tracking my snowboarding for the last year and a half or so, via an app on my smartphone. There are a bunch of different options (sportstracker, itrailmap, trekbuddy, etc.). I've been using an app on my Nokia E71 (and now Nokia N8) called trekbuddy to create *.gpx log files of all my days on the slope, and then I upload it to Garmin Connect to see what I've done. I tried a few other apps but didn't have as much luck. I like being able to store the raw GPX files for use on any tracking software.

Here's a look at some of my days, can't figure out how to show my whole activity list...

Nakiska Podwer in the glades

Fernie early season riding (bombing)

Anyway, for those that didn't know just wanted to mention that these apps are out there, as well as specific GPS devices (Garmin, Nike, Timex, ETC). Trekbuddy has a small learning curve but it's very reliable once setup.

Also, I'm aware that this isn't that accurate. I've set trekbuddy to log valid datapoints every 3 seconds, and looking at the GPS files often it only gets a valid point every 5-6 seconds. This isn't meant to be super accurate, but a fun way of pushing yourself and seeing where you went. This year I have a goal of doing every run at Fernie one day, every run at Nakiska another day, and maybe every run at Lake Louise another day. Should be fun!

hikeswithdogs · 12-23-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poutanen

Well I looked around the forum and didn't see too much on this subject here so I'll start the topic:

I have been tracking my snowboarding for the last year and a half or so, via an app on my smartphone. There are a bunch of different options (sportstracker, itrailmap, trekbuddy, etc.). I've been using an app on my Nokia E71 (and now Nokia N8) called trekbuddy to create *.gpx log files of all my days on the slope, and then I upload it to Garmin Connect to see what I've done. I tried a few other apps but didn't have as much luck. I like being able to store the raw GPX files for use on any tracking software.

Here's a look at some of my days, can't figure out how to show my whole activity list...

Nakiska Podwer in the glades

Fernie early season riding (bombing)

Anyway, for those that didn't know just wanted to mention that these apps are out there, as well as specific GPS devices (Garmin, Nike, Timex, ETC). Trekbuddy has a small learning curve but it's very reliable once setup.

Also, I'm aware that this isn't that accurate. I've set trekbuddy to log valid datapoints every 3 seconds, and looking at the GPS files often it only gets a valid point every 5-6 seconds. This isn't meant to be super accurate, but a fun way of pushing yourself and seeing where you went. This year I have a goal of doing every run at Fernie one day, every run at Nakiska another day, and maybe every run at Lake Louise another day. Should be fun!

These are kinda cool but not willing to smoke my iPhone battery running the GPS all day, need it for tunes and emergency calls. A small, cheap dedicated device would be kinda cool though.

Waiting to see what the new GoPro iPhone app will do in combination with the upcoming wi-fi backapck for Hero1\2

poutanen · 12-23-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hikeswithdogs

These are kinda cool but not willing to smoke my iPhone battery running the GPS all day, need it for tunes and emergency calls. A small, cheap dedicated device would be kinda cool though.

Waiting to see what the new GoPro iPhone app will do in combination with the upcoming wi-fi backapck for Hero1\2

Last year I did full days with the GPS and tunes running on my E71 and barely touched the battery. Haven't tried that with my N8 yet but GPS alone didn't kill it last weekend. I was worried about battery life in the beginning but it doesn't seem bad.

Not sure how the iPhone battery lasts compared to the Nokias though...

hikeswithdogs · 12-23-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poutanen

Last year I did full days with the GPS and tunes running on my E71 and barely touched the battery. Haven't tried that with my N8 yet but GPS alone didn't kill it last weekend. I was worried about battery life in the beginning but it doesn't seem bad.

Not sure how the iPhone battery lasts compared to the Nokias though...

Weird because when I've tried using my iPhone for backpacking trips and GPS in the car the battery indicator drops like crazy but maybe it's app dependent because normally my iPhone 4 can like 2-3 days(without GPS usage) without needing a recharge.

onel0wcubn · 12-23-2011, 01:02 PM

I just ride with my contour gps and it records everything your gps does..

poutanen · 12-23-2011, 01:02 PM

Yeah my girlfriend uses Trekbuddy on her Samsung Galaxy S2 and it doesn't seem to pull the juice.

I just start the app, start the tracklog, then go back the the home screen and lock the phone. Stuff it in my pocket and only take it out for pictures or to stop tracklogging.

I'll report back here when I've had a full day on the new phone, but so far I've made a full day using GPS to get me to the hill, GPS and pics on the hill for about 6 hours, then screwing around over lunch uploading the tracklogs, pics, etc. and it still made it home fine on the one charge.

A buddy of mine is using another tracklog program on his iPhone I'll ask him what he's using...

Jason · 12-23-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hikeswithdogs

These are kinda cool but not willing to smoke my iPhone battery running the GPS all day, need it for tunes and emergency calls. A small, cheap dedicated device would be kinda cool though.

Waiting to see what the new GoPro iPhone app will do in combination with the upcoming wi-fi backapck for Hero1\2

Check out ski tracks in the app store. There is a free version and one for $.99. There is a setting options to turn off the the app at a certain battery percentage.

12-23-2011, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
poutanen Resident Creep-o-saurus Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 3,486	GPS Tracking: Smartphone Apps, Dedicated devices Well I looked around the forum and didn't see too much on this subject here so I'll start the topic: I have been tracking my snowboarding for the last year and a half or so, via an app on my smartphone. There are a bunch of different options (sportstracker, itrailmap, trekbuddy, etc.). I've been using an app on my Nokia E71 (and now Nokia N8) called trekbuddy to create *.gpx log files of all my days on the slope, and then I upload it to Garmin Connect to see what I've done. I tried a few other apps but didn't have as much luck. I like being able to store the raw GPX files for use on any tracking software. Here's a look at some of my days, can't figure out how to show my whole activity list... Nakiska Podwer in the glades Fernie early season riding (bombing) Anyway, for those that didn't know just wanted to mention that these apps are out there, as well as specific GPS devices (Garmin, Nike, Timex, ETC). Trekbuddy has a small learning curve but it's very reliable once setup. Also, I'm aware that this isn't that accurate. I've set trekbuddy to log valid datapoints every 3 seconds, and looking at the GPS files often it only gets a valid point every 5-6 seconds. This isn't meant to be super accurate, but a fun way of pushing yourself and seeing where you went. This year I have a goal of doing every run at Fernie one day, every run at Nakiska another day, and maybe every run at Lake Louise another day. Should be fun!

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12-23-2011, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
onel0wcubn Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 284	I just ride with my contour gps and it records everything your gps does..

12-23-2011, 01:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
poutanen Resident Creep-o-saurus Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 3,486	Yeah my girlfriend uses Trekbuddy on her Samsung Galaxy S2 and it doesn't seem to pull the juice. I just start the app, start the tracklog, then go back the the home screen and lock the phone. Stuff it in my pocket and only take it out for pictures or to stop tracklogging. I'll report back here when I've had a full day on the new phone, but so far I've made a full day using GPS to get me to the hill, GPS and pics on the hill for about 6 hours, then screwing around over lunch uploading the tracklogs, pics, etc. and it still made it home fine on the one charge. A buddy of mine is using another tracklog program on his iPhone I'll ask him what he's using...