[Paddlewise] GPS accuracy

I was very glad to hear (via Paddlewise) that SA has been discontinued.    The
GPS speedometer function was basically worthless at kayaking speeds with SA
and I had given up even trying to use it.  It was also far enough off when
river running in canyons that I lost some confidence in it.  I did a little
experiment over the weekend to test the accuracy now.  I attached my Garmin 12
to the stem of my road bike and compared the speed and odometer functions with
those on my bike.  My bike computer is a fairly high end model and is very
accurate.  I was happy to see that the GPS was right on most of the time, even
at slow speeds in the 2-5 MPH range.  The GPS reacts a little slower than the
speedometer- i.e. when braking fast from 25 to 0 for a stop light, but usually
matched the speedometer when travelling at a consistent speed.  I also
determined that it does not round mileage up.  My bike computer registers in
100th's of a mile versus 10th's on the GPS.  The latter didn't register the
next tenth until it actaully reached it.  (I.e. 1.06 would not round up to
1.1).  The mileage calculations were dead on and the Track Back function
worked perfectly.  


Getting rid of SA may have been Clinton's greatest gift to kayakers,
backpackers, et al, who can now really use and rely on GPS technology.


Anyone else had similar or other results?





Walt Chudleigh


Park City, UT





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