Do GPS maps include speed data?

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Post Reply
User avatar
argonaut
Captain
Posts: 531
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:23 pm
Location: '97 26X, Yammy 40 4s, Central Fla.

Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by argonaut »

I still use my old faithful Lowrance H20 to keep from bumping into things.
But these handheld Garmins like the Oregon 400C are intriguing.
Can you download your tracks onto a PC after a day of sailing, and if so does the track include speed data?
If you could click on a point and see your boat's speed, now that's pretty cool. Even better if the wind data could be there too.

On a separate rant, how come wind speed devices are so ridiculously expensive? It's like a $1K deal just to be able have a windgauge to see apparent wind.
I mean, it's a propeller and a wind vane. Seriously? A grand? I mean an ST70 is cool, but holy cow!
OK, that's it for my Andy Rooney imitation. :)
User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8299
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by Russ »

argonaut wrote:On a separate rant, how come wind speed devices are so ridiculously expensive? It's like a $1K deal just to be able have a windgauge to see apparent wind.
I mean, it's a propeller and a wind vane. Seriously? A grand? I mean an ST70 is cool, but holy cow!
OK, that's it for my Andy Rooney imitation. :)
I got one like this on eBay for about $25 bucks.
Retcoastie
Captain
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Gray Hawk, Kentucky 2002 X "Last Flight"

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by Retcoastie »

My Garmin 76cs will not record instant speed data. Sorry.
User avatar
daydreamerbob
Engineer
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:29 pm
Location: 2008 26M, Yamaha T60, Lake Allatoona - Acworth, GA, Very Much Faster Blue Hull - No Scratches

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by daydreamerbob »

i don't know if my lowrance does or not -

but my garmin forerunner 305 running watch sure does. think you can get one for $175 or so these days.
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by Catigale »

Retcoastie - sure it does. Ive downloaded track/speed data from the Garmin 76 many times, unless they have changed the software??
Retcoastie
Captain
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Gray Hawk, Kentucky 2002 X "Last Flight"

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by Retcoastie »

Okay, I've been chastised, now I'm ready to be enlightened. I am looking at several tracks that I recorded and don't have a clue as to how to locate any speed data. I'm looking at Garmin GPS Database files labeled "Wilson Lake Run.gdb" with the Garmin Mapsource program. It has a nice track, but speed info, if there, is hidden to these old eyes.

Please instruct this humble toad.

Ken
User avatar
grady
Captain
Posts: 946
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:38 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
Location: Dallas

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by grady »

I believe when you are replaying a GPS track on the computer the computer is calculating speed from your track time and distance. so you do have speed but it is not tagged in the data.
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Re: Do GPS maps include speed data?

Post by Catigale »

Okay, I've been chastised, now I'm ready to be enlightene
Chastising is free, enlightenment costs extra...
:D :D

Ill see if I can C&P some track files from my trips and see what is in there.
Post Reply