Strokecoach vs. Speed Coach?

[Laura Bauschard]

Strokecoach vs. Speed Coach?
Which do you prefer to use for sculling and sweep training (& racing): Strokecoach or Speed Coach, or something else? These GPS devices were NOT widely available when I used to row before! :-)
I'm not sure which brand or model to get and would welcome your thoughts on these devices. Thanks!
(I'd like to track distance rowed & splits when we're rowing in 8+'s and 4+'s; & would like to track the same while sculling PLUS stroke rating, meters per stroke, etc.)
If you have a favorite way of mounting the device on a rigger or that little metal stand (when you're using the device on different boats), that'd be interesting to hear as well.

[benat...@googlemail.com]

Hi Laura
I've use both the StrokeCoach & SpeedCoach in various boats and both have had their uses. However, from what you said you are looking for, only the SpeedCoach provides these features. The StrokeCoach only provides Total strokes, strokes per minute & a timer, it also doesn't have a backlit screen so it's useless when rowing at night. The SpeedCoach is a more useful product, that'll do everything you've asked for.

As for mounting, again I've used both the T-bracket & the strap mount. The strap is really good is you have a front wing-rigger. You can also move it along the rigger and change the angle to your preference. The T-bracket attaches nicely and securely to the footplate. I don't have any faults with either option, it's just down to the boat setup that I find determine which to use.

Hope this has helped.

[A. Dumas]

NK Speedcoach GPS. Get the impeller (+wiring) for your personal boat and
just use the GPS elsewhere. Preferably T-bracket on the footstretcher,
or else angle mount for wing riggers.

[martin...@gmail.com]

there is aso the coxmate mentioned in a post by Rebecca caroe.

Are they "surge" ratings or do you need to wire in the harness?

[thomas....@googlemail.com]

Several options open to you, as mentioned elsewhere from your comments on wanting to track distance that means that the device needs a "speed" aspect to it so ill focus on those options

1) NK Speedcoach GPS 2 http://www.nkhome.com/rowing-sports-products/speedcoach-gps-model-2 - Biggest name out there but also the most expensive, uses an accelerometer so can move between boats, can measure speed with an impeller (bought separately) or with GPS - You can pay slightly more for the add on pack that also allows you to set workouts and track HR. Comes with a strap so you can attach and move it between boats and/or mounts any standard NK mount which a lot of boats have

2) Coxmate GPS - http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/product/coxmate-gps/ - Newer on the market and much cheaper, no impeller option but measures speed with GPS. Comes with multiple mounts for attaching to boats (suction, stretcher, NK mount)

3) Smartphone running rowing app - http://performancephones.com/crewnerd/, http://www.boatcoachapp.com/blog/home/, http://www.rowinginmotion.com/ - Cheapest (assuming you already have a smartphone), also tend to have the most features (e.g. crewnerd you can set GPS start and stop points for automatic timing) - downside you need to buy a case and work out a mount, also smartphone screens are not very good in the sun

[Kit Davies]

Just to add the excellent RoboStroke app from Talos Rowing to the apps list:
http://nargila.org/trac/robostroke

Waterproof cases are pretty cheap and easy to come by on Amazon, but I
agree about mounting. It is definitely the biggest issue with phone apps
in boats.

Kit

[Jim Dwyer]

The Garmin forerunner 305 does much more than the GPS Speedcoach at 1/3 the
cost.
You can actually steer a course with it in a 1x without turning around.
The software is much better as well.

Jim


"Kit Davies" wrote in message news:n1fl2g$ngh$1...@dont-email.me...

[thomas....@googlemail.com]

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 3:48:43 PM UTC, Jim wrote:
> The Garmin forerunner 305 does much more than the GPS Speedcoach at 1/3 the
> cost.
> You can actually steer a course with it in a 1x without turning around.
> The software is much better as well.
>
> Jim

The Coxmate GPS also has this feature, plus it is also specifically set up to measure speed in 500m splits (which helps us rowers) and measures the rating with an accelerometer, whereas the Garmin you need to have a a cadence meter and either deal with it showing double the rate, or set it up so it senses the magnet at the far ends of the seat movement, which is less than ideal

http://coxmate.com.au/coxmate-gps/coxmate-gps-detail.html

All in all I would suggest the Coxmate GPS is a better option than the Garmin, unless you are specifically using the features of exporting data to Garmin connect and/or plan to use the garmin when doing other sports like cycling

[don Vickers]

Since my application wasn't mentioned I will. It is called RowExcel and it is far cheaper than the other options as the main app is free and it runs on Windows phone. No one has a Windows phone but you can buy a brand new Windows phone for under $50 with no service.

You can see the features of the application at http://RowExcel.net.

Don Vickers

[Jim Dwyer]

Does it help you steer a course? You can link locations with the Garmin and
it shows you a line and a triangle.
Keep the triangle on the line and you are on course without turning to look.

[Jim Dwyer]

Does it help with steering?


"don Vickers" wrote in message
news:86c71e26-05ed-4d1d...@googlegroups.com...

[marko....@gmail.com]

Honestly, when we have £50 smartphone apps that can display and analyse the acceleration profile of every stroke these simplistic devices look like something from the dark ages!

[Laura Bauschard]

Thanks to you all for sharing your insights!

[thomas....@googlemail.com]

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 7:55:13 PM UTC, Jim wrote:
> Does it help you steer a course? You can link locations with the Garmin and
> it shows you a line and a triangle.
> Keep the triangle on the line and you are on course without turning to look.

Yes, you program the course into the Coxmate GPS on your PC and then when you are rowing it directs you to stay on the pre-programmed course

Its outlined in the manual under "navigation" - unfortunately in my testing I didn't get a chance to try that feature but the rest of the device worked really well

http://coxmate.com.au/images/Manuals/GPS-Manual/CoxmateGPS-manual.pdf

https://rowingmusings.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/review-the-coxmate-gps-sports-computer/

[Lucy]

Call me old-fashioned, but isn't turning to look still quite important if you're going to avoid stuff like..well, other boats?

Seriously, I could well imagine myself drifting off in a trance on a quiet bit of river following my little triangle and then....CRUNCH....That'll be the a log then!

[Laura Bauschard]

The SF Bay turns up the occasional HUGE floating log... And sea lions (but they move out of the way).

[Jim Dwyer]

I still look every 20 strokes or so but when I am rowing in the middle of
the lake my Garmin is telling me that I am exactly on course. I can't tell
that by looking....


"Lucy" wrote in message
news:72d5c0b7-77ca-4fc6...@googlegroups.com...

[don Vickers]

The app doesn't provide steering guidance directly. (-: There are a few indirect effects of the features that can have a secondary or tertiary effect on steering.


First, the app has an audio option so you don't need to look at the screen. You can specify what is spoken by the app and when. This allows you to use your eyes for steering rather than getting lost in a display. You can chose to view/hear up to 40 metrics at whatever interval of strokes, seconds or meters traveled. You can also have these spoken and/or displayed based on remaining strokes, meters or seconds. The app can determine finish based on the number of strokes, meters or seconds to be rowed or by going to a certain geographic point or a finish line.


If you are rowing to a geographic point or line you can get an idea of course based on the distance traveled versus remaining but that is, obviously, a very crude way to detect gross course errors.


Finally, the app captures your point at each stroke and one of the results display is a map of each piece which can be zoomed in quite tight. You can see minor course changes easily. This displays rating, split, meters traveled and stroke count at whatever interval you desire. You can see examples of this on the screen shots page for the app at or near

http://www.excellentsystems.us/RowExcel/ScreenShots.htm

There are a couple of map displays toward the bottom of that page.

The audio option is probably the most popular option as it frees you from having to look at the screen and allows for better rowing posture. A few folks rowing quads use the Bluetooth speaker so the entire boat can hear the information. One club used the training segment option to run their race plan in a quad. The app allows you to have information spoken based on distances, times or other information.


For what it's worth,
Don Vickers