My House Sank 6 Feet in 39 Minutes

[thomson]

So, I decide to buy my son a Garmin (205, like Brandy's 305 except no HRM) for his marathon training but of course I have to give it a little test with my morning ride. It recorded 1046' total ascent and 1052' total descent. I hope nobody on my block notices....

As for the Garmin, what a wonderful toy!! After you download the data, you get a crude map but nice elevation and speed graphs. You can move your cursor along the grade line and it will show you where on the map it is while showing the % grade. I have a Polar (710) and to get the same, I have to select parts of the ride and then report on the selection. The Garmin makes this info easier.

I also imported the stuff into the (free) MotionBased and it mapped the ride on a standard Google Map.

Nice stuff.

[Brandy]

I'm glad that you like yours...I have been sick and haven't played around with mine yet. I can't wait to use it on Saturday's ride though! :)

[thomson]

I'm glad that you like yours...I have been sick and haven't played around with mine yet. I can't wait to use it on Saturday's ride though! :)

WHAT?????? Sick??? What is that all about?

You will be amazed at the fun stuff. I am definitely going to use it for my longer rides. But, I really did get it for my son to use while running. We try using the mapping software to map his routes or I will ride them using the Polar but there is some neat stuff in this. One thing is, if you have previously ran (or bicycled) a course, you can race against your previous run. two little men show up on the course displayed on the watch, the previous run and the current run. Just a blast this stuff.

[Scootcore]

another cool thing is that if yer doing an out and back and want to know how far back it is to a gas station or something, just hit the lap button the first time you get there, then on the way back it will show that waypoint on the "breadcrumb" route page! that way you kinda know when youll hit it again!

[thomson]

another cool thing is that if yer doing an out and back and want to know how far back it is to a gas station or something, just hit the lap button the first time you get there, then on the way back it will show that waypoint on the "breadcrumb" route page! that way you kinda know when youll hit it again!

Very nice tip.,.,.,I should have got this toy long ago......

[Scootcore]

its pretty cool. the only bummer for me is that the battery will need to be supplemented for a double....it works perfect for centuries though!!

[thomson]

its pretty cool. the only bummer for me is that the battery will need to be supplemented for a double....it works perfect for centuries though!!

It says it will last 10 hours,,,,,pick up the speed mate,.,,,,

j/k

For me, I will probably just use it to measure various hills around here. I have pretty much abandoned measuring every ride.

[Scootcore]

once you load a ride into google earth and see how cool that is you may change yer mind!

[Brandy]

its pretty cool. the only bummer for me is that the battery will need to be supplemented for a double....it works perfect for centuries though!!

Where's awiner...I think that he had some nifty battery booster pack!

[Scootcore]

i bought a battery pack for it already...got it from someplace in china!!! seems to work well!!!

[thomson]

once you load a ride into google earth and see how cool that is you may change yer mind!

Oh, I didn't even think of that. I just loaded into the regular old Google Maps.

I am in trouble with this thing, I can tell already.

[Brandy]

i bought a battery pack for it already...got it from someplace in china!!! seems to work well!!!

Will it get you through the doubles? Linky link, please? :D

[caligurl]

just remember when getting your elevation gain to NOT use motionbased's numbers otherwise you're going to get higher then actual elevation (a LOT higher in some cases).... the closer readings are directly from the edge using garmin's training center! some of you have seen the huge discrepancies when i've posted the MB ride links in the past.... when i record my info into bikejournal for a REAL number.... i use TC's number....

and no... the edge will not make it through doubles (well... unless your name is pico or extort.... and even they may need a battery) (it may not even make it through some hilly double metrics in some cases)

you need a battery pack and someplace to carry/attach it....

[thomson]

just remember when getting your elevation gain to NOT use motionbased's numbers otherwise you're going to get higher then actual elevation (a LOT higher in some cases).... the closer readings are directly from the edge using garmin's training center! some of you have seen the huge discrepancies when i've posted the MB ride links in the past.... when i record my info into bikejournal for a REAL number.... i use TC's number....

and no... the edge will not make it through doubles (well... unless your name is pico or extort.... and even they may need a battery) (it may not even make it through some hilly double metrics in some cases)

you need a battery pack and someplace to carry/attach it....


I will check that. I got the numbers from the Garmin software, I didn't even bother to check out MotionBased very well. Just enough to see it load into a Google map.

[awiner]

Jim, check out this software : Sport Tracks

http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/


It makes Garmins Training Center look like trash ;)

[awiner]

Where's awiner...I think that he had some nifty battery booster pack!


Yes... I use the Minty Boost battery extender and stuff it in my Bento Box.

http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/

[Scootcore]

Will it get you through the doubles? Linky link, please? :D

im still looking..the place i got mine(usbgeek.com) doesnt seem to sell them anymore...

[thomson]

Jim, check out this software : Sport Tracks

http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/


It makes Garmins Training Center look like trash ;)

Yowza, Adam, that looks good. The computer where I have this thing installed is hooked up to a VPN right now so it will have to wait until this evening. But that sure does look cool.

I think I just went from it being my son's with me using it occasionally to it being mine and MAYBE I will let him use it once in a while. I wonder how he will take the news.

[magicant]

im still looking..the place i got mine(usbgeek.com) doesnt seem to sell them anymore...I just ordered one through thinkgeek.com -- we'll see how it works.

While I was searching, I noticed that APC now makes USB battery chargers, too. I'm guessing that you can pick one up at Fry's? Only like $6 or something.

[Scootcore]

check this...

http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00087

[magicant]

Oh, I didn't even think of that. I just loaded into the regular old Google Maps.

I am in trouble with this thing, I can tell already.
Try loading the route into Google Earth and then using the "Play Tour" button. It's pretty cool - give you a quick VR of where you rode. I got tired just watching the Baldy route over again.

[Brandy]

I think I just went from it being my son's with me using it occasionally to it being mine and MAYBE I will let him use it once in a while. I wonder how he will take the news.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[Tiffanie]

I need to get me one of these Garmins. :D I love this kind of stuff!

[thomson]

Try loading the route into Google Earth and then using the "Play Tour" button. It's pretty cool - give you a quick VR of where you rode. I got tired just watching the Baldy route over again.

Now, I see where this is going. I am going to spend my whole waking hours with this thing. I just hope I remember to eat.

[thomson]

I need to get me one of these Garmins. :D I love this kind of stuff!

It is way cooler than I imagined.

[ronjon10]

I have this battery extender from APC ($7+shipping). It uses 4 triple A batteries and I drop it in my Bento Box. It's small enough that my camera and bars sitll fit in there:

http://www.computerbrain.com/applications/search/itemdetails.asp?sku=PNOTEBX

Use rechargeable batteries rather than normal batteries. People have been known to fry their garmins using battery extenders. Apparently its sensitive to receiving too much voltage. Normal batteries will send 6 volts, too much. Rechargeable batteries have a lower voltage.

Also, to be more on the safe side, I plug mine in before I turn it on, and just leave it plugged in til I'm done.

[magicant]

I need to get me one of these Garmins. :D I love this kind of stuff!If you've got Google Earth, you don't even need your own Garmin for some of this. You can just download someone else's route from motionbased and try it.

[thomson]

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Brandy, you should try to take a ride today, even around the block. Just to give you a chance to upload the data and see what you are in for. Oh, tip#1, hire a nanny, you will have no more time for your kids.

[ronjon10]

just remember when getting your elevation gain to NOT use motionbased's numbers otherwise you're going to get higher then actual elevation (a LOT higher in some cases).... the closer readings are directly from the edge using garmin's training center! some of you have seen the huge discrepancies when i've posted the MB ride links in the past.... when i record my info into bikejournal for a REAL number.... i use TC's number....


I think elevation is partially voodoo anyway. There's usually a discrepancy between motionbased and training center, but my rides aren't +/- 10% from each other, and I have many cases where motionbased is reporting lower elevation gain than Training Center (usually it's higher though).

[Scootcore]

the one thing you HAVE to do is back up your training center files on a regular basis!!!! i had some sort of gink and lost months of maps and elevations....no bueno!!!!!! make it a habit!!!!

[awiner]

It is way cooler than I imagined.


Just wait until you get Sport Tacks installed. You won't believe all the data you will get and how you are able to extrapolate and view it.

Great program. Even keeps track of component life / miles / usage, etc of my equipment.

If you have any questions let me know and I have become very adept in using it.

[thomson]

Just wait until you get Sport Tacks installed. You won't believe all the data you will get and how you are able to extrapolate and view it.

Great program. Even keeps track of component life / miles / usage, etc of my equipment.

If you have any questions let me know and I have become very adept in using it.

Thanks Adam, will do.

[ronjon10]

Just wait until you get Sport Tacks installed. You won't believe all the data you will get and how you are able to extrapolate and view it.

Great program. Even keeps track of component life / miles / usage, etc of my equipment.

If you have any questions let me know and I have become very adept in using it.


I looked at this a while ago, it had a lot more going on than I cared to track, and was a little more complicated than I like (no doubt due to the extra features). I'll check it out again this weekend.

[awiner]

Don't let all the bells and whistles of Sport Tracks discourage you. You don't need to use them all.

Just install it and set up your Gramin as a device. Then all you need to do is plug the Garmin into the USB and hit Import from Edge in Sport Tracks and use whatever data you wish.

[ronjon10]

There's not a way to lasso a section of ride to get stats on that section (say a long hill) is there? I think I was looking for that feature, and since it didn't have it, it didn't seem worth the effort to start using it.

[jpconrad]

There's not a way to lasso a section of ride to get stats on that section (say a long hill) is there? I think I was looking for that feature, and since it didn't have it, it didn't seem worth the effort to start using it.
If you are looking for it from a historical perspective I don't think you can do it.

However, if I'm interested in seeing how I do on a section, I hit the lap button at the beginning and end of the section so I can break it out.

Also, if you have autolap by position enabled it will automatically do it after the first time.

[ronjon10]

If you are looking for it from a historical perspective I don't think you can do it.

However, if I'm interested in seeing how I do on a section, I hit the lap button at the beginning and end of the section so I can break it out.

Also, if you have autolap by position enabled it will automatically do it after the first time.


Autolap by position! I forgot about that. That would be useful for my time trial hill (Old Topanga) but not so useful on long rides in places I've never ridden where I'd prefer to use the 1 mile autolap where I currently have it. I can never remember to hit the lap button to mark sections during a ride. Ah well.

Thanks for that though. I think I need to get the Edge DVD which details all the features of the device.

[awiner]

I will take a look for you ronjon.... If it can't do it, I will make the suggestion as an enhancement. The author really takes all enhancement suggestions seriously and has continuously updated his program with many of them.

The next major revision will use the newest version of MS .NET framework and is due out soon.

[jpconrad]

I think I need to get the Edge DVD which details all the features of the device.

I need to get it, too, I didn't know there was a DVD. Where do you order it, from Garmin's website?

I'd like to know more about and use the advanced training features, i just started looking through it last night and there's a lot that I don't understand.

[jpconrad]

I think elevation is partially voodoo anyway. There's usually a discrepancy between motionbased and training center, but my rides aren't +/- 10% from each other, and I have many cases where motionbased is reporting lower elevation gain than Training Center (usually it's higher though).

One thing with MB to remember is don't use the MB Gravity if you got the 305. I believe the MB Gravity uses the GPS position to determine the altitude based on the topo profile. If you ride the flats, no biggie, but in the hills an innacurate GPS position can have your altitude swinging hundreds of feets quickly and make for an interesting activity with wild Elevation Gains.

[ronjon10]

I will take a look for you ronjon.... If it can't do it, I will make the suggestion as an enhancement. The author really takes all enhancement suggestions seriously and has continuously updated his program with many of them.

The next major revision will use the newest version of MS .NET framework and is due out soon.
I just went back and looked at one of the rides I did.

Speaking of elevation woes:

- 1 ride (Calabassus to the Rock store and back on Mulholland)
Training Center has 4800 ft Climbing , 4394 ft descending
Sporttracks has 3072 ft climbing, 2754 ft descending
Motion based has 4312 ft climbing, 4302 ft descending

This ride has the worst variance between the garmin and training center.

It's the only ride I have in sporttracks. I'll load a few more up too see what kind of variances I'm getting. To be honest, I don't really care about the variances, as long as things are relatively consistent.

[awiner]

I just went back and looked at one of the rides I did.

Speaking of elevation woes:

- 1 ride (Calabassus to the Rock store and back on Mulholland)
Training Center has 4800 ft Climbing , 4394 ft descending
Sporttracks has 3072 ft climbing, 2754 ft descending
Motion based has 4312 ft climbing, 4302 ft descending

This ride has the worst variance between the garmin and training center.

It's the only ride I have in sporttracks. I'll load a few more up too see what kind of variances I'm getting. To be honest, I don't really care about the variances, as long as things are relatively consistent.

You need to see what kind of smoothing value's you are using in each program.

See http://sporttracks.zonefivesoftware.com/Discussion/viewtopic.php?t=1240

and

http://sporttracks.zonefivesoftware.com/Discussion/viewtopic.php?t=1040&highlight=ascent

for more info.


Each program looks at the data and does it's own thing. For example (and this is user setable), Sport Tracks sees acents as +2% or more, decents as -2% or more and flat as -2 to +2%.

The smoothing is a bit high on Sport Tracks stock. I use the value of 6 . See the links for a little more advice and detail.

If you tweak the settings you can almsot match Training Centers info.

[thomson]

I just went back and looked at one of the rides I did.

Speaking of elevation woes:

- 1 ride (Calabassus to the Rock store and back on Mulholland)
Training Center has 4800 ft Climbing , 4394 ft descending
Sporttracks has 3072 ft climbing, 2754 ft descending
Motion based has 4312 ft climbing, 4302 ft descending

This ride has the worst variance between the garmin and training center.

It's the only ride I have in sporttracks. I'll load a few more up too see what kind of variances I'm getting. To be honest, I don't really care about the variances, as long as things are relatively consistent.


I am really confused by all that, aren't they all using the same data? I can understand a variance between Polar and Garmin because they are two different capture devices. But aren't all 3 you listed using the same Garmin data?

And, I know it is too much to ask, but the ascent and descent should match (assuming the start and stop are the same place). I realize that as a snapshot collector, the exact profiles are not being captured.


[edit] Maybe's Adam's answer above explains all the variance

[ronjon10]

You need to see what kind of smoothing value's you are using in each program.

See http://sporttracks.zonefivesoftware.com/Discussion/viewtopic.php?t=1240

and

http://sporttracks.zonefivesoftware.com/Discussion/viewtopic.php?t=1040&highlight=ascent

for more info.


Each program looks at the data and does it's own thing. For example (and this is user setable), Sport Tracks sees acents as +2% or more, decents as -2% or more and flat as -2 to +2%.

The smoothing is a bit high on Sport Tracks stock. I use the value of 6 . See the links for a little more advice and detail.

If you tweak the settings you can almsot match Training Centers info.


Check that out, that did come pretty close. I got the climbing up to 4430, which is right up there with Motionbased. I never saw those options before. Pretty sweet. I may start using this thing after all. I really like the Last Week, last Month, This month comparisons. I'll let you know if I have other questions.

Thanks!

[thomson]

once you load a ride into google earth and see how cool that is you may change yer mind!

Well, Scoot, I am back to this. I tried using the GPS Import in Google Earth and get this:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o229/thomson900/msgbox.jpg

So, do you have Pro? Or is there another way you do it?

[Scootcore]

Well, Scoot, I am back to this. I tried using the GPS Import in Google Earth and get this:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o229/thomson900/msgbox.jpg

So, do you have Pro? Or is there another way you do it?

in motionbased there is a tab that says "google earth" right under the map window. right click on that and choose save as, pick a place to save it, name it...bobs yer uncle!!!

does that kinda make sense???

[Scootcore]

and this is all done with the free membership!!!

[thomson]

in motionbased there is a tab that says "google earth" right under the map window. right click on that and choose save as, pick a place to save it, name it...bobs yer uncle!!!

does that kinda make sense???

Yeah, that makes sense. motionedbased seems to be going through some maintenance now, I will give it a shot later.
Thanks

[Scootcore]

right on man....let me know if that does the trick!!

[TrevorInSoCal]

I think elevation is partially voodoo anyway. There's usually a discrepancy between motionbased and training center, but my rides aren't +/- 10% from each other, and I have many cases where motionbased is reporting lower elevation gain than Training Center (usually it's higher though).


Does training center use the elevation data from the actual unit? (does the garmin even have an altimeter?)?

If training center is using the unit's elevation data, and motionbased is using survey data I'd trust motionbased before I trusted the barometric altimeter on the unit.

I dunno where either are getting their data from though...

With my handheld GPS I've always relied on the elevation data from loading tracks into TOPO! (Now National Geographic Maps, based on USGS quads.) as opposed to the data from the barometric altimeter in the unit.