ffp1974 0 #1 May 8, 2006 I noticed that paralog can now interface with a handheld gps unit. Has anyone done this? Where are you putting your gps unit? How does it link up with the paragear software? thanks Francis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 May 8, 2006 QuoteWhere are you putting your gps unit? How does it link up with the paragear software? I wear mine(Etrex vista) on my chest strap or my Foretrex 201 on my wrist. All you need to download the GPS data is the correct cable to connect your model GPS to a computer. The paralog software will interface with GPS unit and download all the data for display. It's pretty easy(plug and play) to set up and use and you can view the data via 3D Google earth is you want."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffp1974 0 #3 May 8, 2006 Do you get a good signal from the satalites when it is on your chest strap? How do you seperate different jumps with your gps? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #4 May 8, 2006 QuoteDo you get a good signal from the satalites when it is on your chest strap? Yes, it works quite well, YMMV. QuoteHow do you seperate different jumps with your gps? The data is quite easy to discern when downloaded and you can also save each jump as an individual track log if you want. You can also do it the easy way and simply turn your GPS off when you land and the data will automatically be seperated.Refer to the GPS owners manual for specifics as they can differ slightly."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffp1974 0 #5 May 8, 2006 Thanks for all of the information. I have a gps and the paralog for my pda. So all I have to do is buy the software for my computer. One more question. How are you attaching your gps to your chest strap? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeth 0 #6 May 8, 2006 I was just wondering about this myself. I have a small wrist-mount GPS and was thinking of trying it. Is it true that Paralog can figure out exit alti, open alti and freefall speed from the gps data? Also, do you start the gps track before loading, or do you need to wait to turn it on till right before you exit? I was thinking if it was logging on the ground and on the way up you'd get wierd results. Thanks!"At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #7 May 8, 2006 QuoteIs it true that Paralog can figure out exit alti, open alti and freefall speed from the gps data? Yes. That and a lot more data(horizontal/vertical descent rate, Glide ratio, turn ratio, heading, speed,etc) can be displayed when playing the jump back via the Paralog software. You can configure it to show all the data or only the parts that interest you. QuoteAlso, do you start the gps track before loading, or do you need to wait to turn it on till right before you exit? You need to turn your GPS receiver on while on the ground and allow it to accquire at least 4 satellites before you board the aircraft. You can turn the receiver off while on the aircraft but I don't recommend it as it can make re-accquiring the neccessary satellites harder. Any logging done by the receiver while in the aircraft can easily be trimmed off in post processing and it is easy to tell it from the other data points as it is quite obvious that its the aircraft. The benefit of leaving the receiver on is a faster re-accquiring time once in the door and while in freefall."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeth 0 #8 May 8, 2006 Wow, sounds like I can get a lot out of this! So if I just leave it on for several jumps, will Paralog be able to discern which data is for which jump? (Or do I need to start a new track for each jump?) This sounds great, I can't wait to try it! Thanks for the info! P.S. Can you get anything from the unit itself or do you have to wait till Paralog processes the data?"At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #9 May 9, 2006 QuoteSo if I just leave it on for several jumps, will Paralog be able to discern which data is for which jump? It is best to turn it off after you land otherwise the unit will continue to log data points while you sit there on the ground. To be sure you have accurate track logs, your GPS will allow you to save a particular track log(model dependant) after the fact. That way you don't overlap or in some cases, overwrite your previous data.(see your GPS owners manual for specifics). QuoteCan you get anything from the unit itself or do you have to wait till Paralog processes the data? To see data like I mentioned above, you have to wait until it is downlaoded into Paralog. The GPS receiver itself will not display the entire skydive data that it has collected."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eule 0 #10 May 9, 2006 QuoteYou need to turn your GPS receiver on while on the ground and allow it to accquire at least 4 satellites before you board the aircraft. If you have traveled a long way to jump, you may need to turn it on a long time before you board. The receiver stores some data so that when you turn it off and back on, it can sync with the satellites more quickly, as long as it is in roughly the same area. If the receiver moved a lot (several hundred miles or more) while switched off, it will have to discard most of this data and start from scratch. This is an extreme example, but my brother-in-law brought his GPS with him from Germany over Yule. He wanted to show it off, but when he turned it on for the first time in the US, it would only find one or two satellites. We twiddled various settings, but finally just left it turned on and sitting outside for about an hour. After that, it found plenty of satellites and worked fine. Most people won't have to worry about this, but it might come up if you fly to a far-away DZ for a boogie or whatever. You don't have to wait until you are at the DZ to do this; if you arrive the night before and/or have to fly in to the big city and then drive to the DZ, switch on your GPS as soon as you get on the ground and let it start acquiring. It may take a while, but once it's used to its location, you can shut it off, and be fairly confident that when you turn it back on, it will quickly acquire enough satellites. EulePLF does not stand for Please Land on Face. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdatc 0 #11 May 9, 2006 I have paralog and a garmin etrex vista c... It is pretty cool, but the big problem for me is satelite reception. I sometimes lose it in the plane, but re-aquire it in freefall. I turn my gps on and leave it on all the time. The only thing I turn on before I leave the aircraft is the logging function (1 point per second). Then on landing I turn off the logging function. It is pretty cool, and defiently works very well under canopy. The google earth feature alone is worth it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeth 0 #12 May 9, 2006 Thanks for the tips, everybody. I will definitely have to read the manual for my gps and try this out! "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffp1974 0 #13 May 9, 2006 wow great information. Now I need to know how everyone is attaching the gps to themselves and by what means? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitflypat 0 #14 May 10, 2006 How are you attaching your gps to your chest strap?DFV-3332/ SCR-14639/ SCS-8185 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommymc 0 #15 May 10, 2006 Here's what I've made up. If you can find a neopreme case for your particular model it's easy. This case was $13 from Thegpsstore.com. The belt loop on the back makes it simple to attach to a chest strap or an altimeter chest pillow. What you see here is a cotton belt that's been cut down for wrist or ankle mount. Once in the air the receiver seems to work in any place on your body but the wrist mount makes it easier to keep satellite contact while in the plane. Just lay your arm on a window sill before exit. Hope this helps. Tom McCann Florida Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #16 May 10, 2006 QuoteHow are you attaching your gps to your chest strap? I have a neoprene GPS case that I route my chest strap through that works well. I have also mounted them on top of my helmets. A good resource for manufactured mounts is www.ram-mounts.com many of which can be used to mount your GPS how ever you want."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitflypat 0 #17 May 11, 2006 thank you! PatrickDFV-3332/ SCR-14639/ SCS-8185 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
