I finally got a Garmin GPS unit to take my training to higher levels and have so far done 2 paddles with it. Ended up going for the cheapest model, the 201, but it does all that I want it to do and the next best model was an extra thousand or so. Also decided against a grey import to get the local maps and support, so far that support has not been great, more on that down below. I tried hard to get an average speed of 15km/hr on my first run with it but that was out of my league, somehow that figure got stuck in my head as being the one to go for. The unit doesn't show my average speed, thought it would, or maybe it does and I just don't know it. My hand calculations show that I got an 10.43km/hr average. Dawid Mocke did the Oceana - Barkers 14km paddle in just about an hour, so with 14km/hr an average speed, I've got a long way to go!
The greatest feature of the Garmin is getting the data on to a PC and then analyzing it. I've been dying to get my runs onto MotionBased in particular but so far no luck. I simply can't figure out how to get my Garmin 201 talking to my PC. I've Googled for hours. The 201 comes with a serial interface, that is fine, I plug it in and the Garmin software is meant to detect my Garmin, it doesn't. Articles online speak of putting the Garmin in Garmin Mode but I have no idea what that is. Well I'm stuck for now, will try see if there are other 201 owners at the next race.
Tried calling Avnic Trading CC to get help during the week, they referred me to the dealer and their phone must have been off the hook at the time. Could buy a USB-to-Serial converter and see if a USB interface will magically give me joy.
Overall I'm moderately satisfied so far, not being able the interface with my PC is the biggest disappointment. To be continued....
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