Can you use a GPS?

[LuvMyVSE]

Can you use a GPS to determine how far you have driven, even while doing arena work? Start it when you get in the cart, then check at the end? If so, is it reasonably (not perfectly) accurate?

Thanks,

Amy

[Mrs. Cowboy]

It's a wristwatch style GPS that you can use for something like that. I got mine for $45 on eBay. Look for a GPS marketed to hikers, runners and cyclists, rather than a driving style like TomTom.

[Ashemont]

We've got a Garmin Venture that I use all the time. The case clips easily onto any of our carriages and it's very visible. I have it set to km and have it showing distance, speed and moving time. It's been a wonderful training aid. Really helps me keep the trot consistent in dressage and I can easily ensure I'm doing a working or extended gait. I also know how far I've gone every day (I try to do at least 10k per day even if doing arena work) and I'm sure how much time we've actually worked; standing and chatting with a neighbor doesn't count ;)

[LuvMyVSE]

Thanks you guys! I just downloaded the GPS kit app for my iPhone, I think I will try it this afternoon when I drive. The dashboard shows total trip time, speed, pace, and odometer, all of which I think will work for my purposes. I think I will just hang a number holder on my dash and put the iPhone in it where I can see it. :) I really don't have anywhere to drive except my arena right now, it is way too wet. But I would like to have my guys doing 5-7k 3 days with a couple of 10-13k drives in per week at this point in time. Now it is pretty rough estimate, just using time and estimated pace. So if this will work, I will be a happy camper!

[pricestory]

I purchased the Timex wristwatch type and it was less than steller. It lost the satalitte everytime I went through the woods and then would restart, making tracking the distance, worthless. A friend has a speedometer that does mile or kilometers, speed and distance. That is what I'm going to try next because it really is all I care about knowing. And they are a lot cheaper.

[Ashemont]

My new Kutzmann came with a speedometer device... the type used on bicycles. I'm going to sell it because it's too small for my old eyes. The Garmin allows me to make the numbers large enough so I can easily see them while driving.

[LuvMyVSE]

Well, my experiment failed. :( I suppose it is because we are under a roof, although the sides are open. Oh well, I guess we are back to estimates based on pace and time.

[Ashemont]

No you're not. Go to your local bicycle store and buy one from them. Not a GPS but a small odometer that works off of the wheel turning. It can be set to give you all of the same information.

I'd be using the one that came on my carriage if I were driving somewhere that my GPS wouldn't work. But my GPS works everywhere I drive so the odometer (I guess that's what they're called) is extraneous.

[mares tails]

google "bicycle computer"

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[LuvMyVSE]

Thanks you guys! Great tip! I will look into it. I need a new bike anyway, to ride the marathon course. :D I will kill two birds with one stone!

[LuvMyVSE]

All right, question about the bike computer. Looks like it uses a magnet/sensor pair on the spoke and fork to perform the calculations. How are you attaching the magnets, when they are set up to be attached to spokes? What brands are you using? I have a Pacific Smart Cart for my minis, it has steel cart wheels.

http://finchmeadowfarm.com/images/ally/bc_marathon_trail2.jpg so you can help me figure this out.

[Ashemont]

Mine is currently mounted on my carriage with a metal post - much like a lamp bracket. The part that's attached to the metal spoke on the wheel is mounted with a regular metal clamp. The readout part was put on with a cable tie.

I can email you the pdf with pictures and description if that would help.

[LuvMyVSE]

Thanks very much, it would help a lot! My email addy is amy lacy1 @ gmail.com (minus the spaces). What brand and model are you using?

Thanks again!

[nfld_pony]

I have a Pacific Smart Cart for my minis, it has steel cart wheels.

Ha! I LOVE Pacific Carriages. They're built really close to my house. My old coach has the first ever PC. She does all the photography for them and then gets cheap vehicles... neat hey??

[LuvMyVSE]

That is really neat! I went up there to pick mine up when it was finished. They have a beautiful place and the shop is as neat as a pin.

[Drive 1 Two]

It's a wristwatch style GPS that you can use for something like that. I got mine for $45 on eBay. Look for a GPS marketed to hikers, runners and cyclists, rather than a driving style like TomTom.

I am looking at the Garmin Forerunner 201 which is the model below the one you are using. Does it do KPH as well as MPH?

[mares tails]

I am looking at the Garmin Forerunner 201 which is the model below the one you are using. Does it do KPH as well as MPH?

yup. [owners manual (http://www.garmin.com/manuals/Forerunner201_OwnersManual.pdf)]

.

[Drive 1 Two]

yup. [owners manual (http://www.garmin.com/manuals/Forerunner201_OwnersManual.pdf)]

.

Thanks! I bought one..Should be here tomorrow!
Appreciate the help!