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Sport Watches and Computers: Difference between revisions

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{{Article Infobox2
{{Article Infobox2
|Category=Applications
|Category=Applications
|Title={{PAGENAME}}
|Editors=GMV
|Authors=Rui Barradas Pereira.
|Level=Basic
|Level=Basic
|YearOfPublication=2011
|YearOfPublication=2011
|Logo=GMV
|Logo=GMV
}}
}}
The GNSS enabled sport watches were initially targeted for athletes. Nowadays, it has become very important for runners or cyclists to monitor their activities in terms of training features, such as track speed or distance, but also for health monitoring indications, like heart rate.


 
These health monitoring competences targeted the market of this product not only for athletes, but also to a broader spectrum of users, like persons who need a physical training program to recover from surgeries or diseases.<ref name="maps-gps-info" >[http://www.maps-gps-info.com/gp-wtchs.html Maps-GPS-info site - GPS Watches]</ref>
The GNSS enabled sports watches are devices initially targeted for athletes. Nowadays, it has become very important for runners or cyclists to precisely monitor their activities in terms of training features, such as track speed or distance, but also for health monitoring indications, like heart rate. These health monitoring competences targeted the market of this product not only for athletes, but also to a broad spectrum of users, such as persons who need a physical training program to recover from surgery or disease <ref name="maps-gps-info" >http://www.maps-gps-info.com/gp-wtchs.html</ref>.




==Product Description==
==Product Description==


A GNSS enabled watch is a simple device and in its essence is a stop watch combined with a handheld unit. Basically these GNSS-based speed and distance systems are composed of two components, a GPS receiver and a watch <ref name="maps-gps-info" />.
[[File:Garmin_Forerunner_205.jpg|right|thumb|420px|GNSS Sport Watch]]
A GNSS enabled watch is a simple device and in its essence, is a stop watch combined with a handheld unit. Basically, these GNSS-based speed and distance systems are composed of two components, a GNSS receiver and a watch.<ref name="maps-gps-info" />


Currently more complex products have features such as heart rate monitor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometer odometer], pace calculation or performance indicators.
Currently more complex products have features such as heart rate monitor, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometer odometer], pace calculation or performance indicators.


However, the GPS watches do not provide location information, because they are marketed as awareness equipments for speed and distance solely.  
Usually, the GNSS watches do not provide location information, because they are marketed as awareness equipments for speed, bearing and distance solely. Despite this some watches are able to provide navigation features such as position, landmarks or waypoints which can provide lead the user back to the initial position.<ref name="GPS-watches"> GPS watches site</ref>


Usually the watch user interface is very simple and some models own a touch screen allowing a easy use of the device.
In general the user interfaces used in these watches are very simple and some models own a touch screen allowing a faster and easy use of the device.


These devices owns a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB USB] interface to connect with a computer, in order to recharge the watch, but also to download the collected data onto proper applications which manage the monitored logs. Once the information is downloaded it's possible to access readings for heart rate, distance, current pace, average lap pace, average run pace, among others, providing an integrated training and monitoring platform.  
The GNSS watches devices commonly have a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB USB] interface to connect with a computer, in order to recharge the watch, but also to upload the collected data onto a computer application able to manage the monitored logs. Once the information is transferred, it is possible to access the heart rate readings, distances covered, current pace, average lap pace, average run pace, calories burned, among other details, providing an integrated training and monitoring platform.  


Some models offer the possibility of integrate the collected information with tools like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth Google Earth] in order to let the user observe the routes accomplished afterwords.
Some models offer the possibility to integrate the collected information with tools like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth Google Earth] in order to let the user observe the routes run.


These products are considered as non-critical products.
The applications for which sport watches are used are considered as non-critical applications.
 
The accuracy required by these applications is low. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS is enough for these applications. Availability, however, can be reduced by heavy foliage and deep canyons depending of the environment where it is used.


The accuracy required by these applications is low. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS is enough for these applications. Availability, however, can be reduced by heavy foliage and deep canyons in this type of environment.


==Product Characterization==
==Product Characterization==


[[File:GNSS-watch.jpg|right|thumb|150px|GNSS Sport Watch]]
The GNSS watches receiver can be worn on the arm or clipped to a belt and resembles a typical digital watch.
 
Some of the features available in specific models are the possibility of competing with the recorded best results or even against other runners through means of downloading data from other users into the watch.


The GNSS receiver can be worn on the arm or clipped to a belt and resembles a typical digital watch.  
Another common motivation for the use of these products includes the location monitoring of children or elderly, which is covered in detail in [[Personal_Trackers | Personal Trackers]] article. It should be noted that usually these devices don't have communication abilities, not providing realtime monitoring but only a-posteriori monitoring.


Some of the features available in specific models are the possibility of competing with the recorded best results or even against other runners through means of downloading data from other users into the watch.


==Product Examples ==
==Product Examples ==
There are currently at least four manufacturers of GPS watches:  
There are currently at least four manufacturers of GNSS watches<ref name="GPS-watches" />:  
* [http://www.garmin.com/ Garmin watches products] Garmin currently owns a line of eight different GPS watches.  
* [http://www.garmin.com/ Garmin GNSS watches] Garmin currently owns a line of eight different GNSS watches.  
* [ Timex ]
* [http://www.timexironman.com/ Timex GNSS watches]
* [ Polar ]
* [http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/ Polar GNSS watches]
* [ Bushnell]
* [http://www.suuntowatches.com/watches/gps-watches.html Suunto GNSS watches]
* [ Suunto ]
 
Casio used to have one, but it's currently discontinued.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 16:42, 16 September 2018


ApplicationsApplications
Title Sport Watches and Computers
Edited by GMV
Level Basic
Year of Publication 2011
Logo GMV.png

The GNSS enabled sport watches were initially targeted for athletes. Nowadays, it has become very important for runners or cyclists to monitor their activities in terms of training features, such as track speed or distance, but also for health monitoring indications, like heart rate.

These health monitoring competences targeted the market of this product not only for athletes, but also to a broader spectrum of users, like persons who need a physical training program to recover from surgeries or diseases.[1]


Product Description

GNSS Sport Watch

A GNSS enabled watch is a simple device and in its essence, is a stop watch combined with a handheld unit. Basically, these GNSS-based speed and distance systems are composed of two components, a GNSS receiver and a watch.[1]

Currently more complex products have features such as heart rate monitor, odometer, pace calculation or performance indicators.

Usually, the GNSS watches do not provide location information, because they are marketed as awareness equipments for speed, bearing and distance solely. Despite this some watches are able to provide navigation features such as position, landmarks or waypoints which can provide lead the user back to the initial position.[2]

In general the user interfaces used in these watches are very simple and some models own a touch screen allowing a faster and easy use of the device.

The GNSS watches devices commonly have a USB interface to connect with a computer, in order to recharge the watch, but also to upload the collected data onto a computer application able to manage the monitored logs. Once the information is transferred, it is possible to access the heart rate readings, distances covered, current pace, average lap pace, average run pace, calories burned, among other details, providing an integrated training and monitoring platform.

Some models offer the possibility to integrate the collected information with tools like Google Earth in order to let the user observe the routes run.

The applications for which sport watches are used are considered as non-critical applications.

The accuracy required by these applications is low. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS is enough for these applications. Availability, however, can be reduced by heavy foliage and deep canyons depending of the environment where it is used.


Product Characterization

The GNSS watches receiver can be worn on the arm or clipped to a belt and resembles a typical digital watch.

Some of the features available in specific models are the possibility of competing with the recorded best results or even against other runners through means of downloading data from other users into the watch.

Another common motivation for the use of these products includes the location monitoring of children or elderly, which is covered in detail in Personal Trackers article. It should be noted that usually these devices don't have communication abilities, not providing realtime monitoring but only a-posteriori monitoring.


Product Examples

There are currently at least four manufacturers of GNSS watches[2]:


Notes


References

  1. ^ a b Maps-GPS-info site - GPS Watches
  2. ^ a b GPS watches site