Comment by reaperducer | Hacker News Reader

Comment by reaperducer | Hacker News Reader

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I recently created a web app to visualize GPS tracking files

Off topic, but since you work with GPS tracking files, perhaps you can recommend a GPS tracking device for me.

Until last year, I used one I got around 2005 that was about half the size of a pack of cigarettes. You turned it on, and it would start logging waypoints at 10 minute intervals to a standard text tracking file on a microSD card. I could unload that text file into my computer and plot the route on a map in a bunch of mapping applications.

It was great because when I was going on an adventure off the grid, or traveling overseas or something, I'd clip it to my backpack and then when I got home look at all the fun places I'd been.

I recently tried to find a replacement on Amazon, and nothing is suitable. They are all:

- Built with a big magnet for clamping to the underside a car

- Just a stripped-down Android phone, so large, fragile, and complicated

- Require a subscription

- Require cellular connectivity

- A watch

- A piece of software

I don't want connected. I don't want to subscribe to anything. I don't want it to drain my phone's battery. I don't want to stalk my ex-girlfriend.

I just want something simple that I can turn on and turn off. I know it's possible, because I had one. I just want to find another one.

Why not a dedicated phone? A small app like https://github.com/mendhak/gpslogger and use it in airplane mode. Add a prepaid SIM card so that you can use it as a backup in case of emergency.

That's basically what I'm doing to record my bike rides, with the exception that I leave the display and mobile internet on, since I use it as my bike computer. In my case it lasts around 3 hours, but the screen is at max brightness and there's a continuous websocket connection to my server, GPS is recorded in realtime, accelerometer and magnetic field multiple times a second.

So I guess that if I'd only record GPS once a minute with the screen off and no mobile connection that battery would last for more than a day.

You could also use it as a camera.

Plus, when you get home, you connect it to wifi and let it upload the data to your server.

I mean a cheap phone with a big battery.

What a blast for the past! I still have a functioning Wintec GPS tracker which I bought in 2007. One battery lasts for some days, I have multiple batteries… It’s barely larger than a pack of matches. Currently they sell This model here https://www.win-tec.com.tw/portfolio-item/wbt202/, I have a WBT200.

This is very much like the one I want to replace. Unfortunately, it's not available for retail purchase anymore.

True, sorry. I just looked at the site on my mobile. Also no luck on eBay for me...

If my memory serves me good, then a https://www.amazon.com/i-gotU-GT-120-Travel-Logger-Software/... should also do the trick.

Watches appear on the reject list, but fail to match any of your explanations. If it's about not wanting something on your wrist, just replace the strap with one that is good for clipping to your backpack. Most of the cheaper Garmin don't offer an option to lower recording frequency for extreme battery runtimes, but the Instinct series should do that just fine.

I personally use a Garmin Fenix (an old one, Fenix 3). The watch form factor is perfect for my use cases (mainly hiking, running and ski mountaineering).

Also: the barometric altimeter is a must have for mountaineering purposes.

I guess it very much depends on what you need it for.

Garmin Etrex.

Discontinued, according to https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/6403

The only available Garmin alternative is $200. The one I'm replacing was $30. But I'm willing to go to $75.

Also, it's a bit large because it has a screen, but that's not a deal-breaker.

The one I'm replacing didn't even have a screen, just a light for power and a light to indicate it was connected to the satellites.

There is a newer model eTrex 10.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/87768

I have it, it does the job well. It can store about 14 days of walking, the 25 hour battery life is accurate, it can do more with good batteries (uses 2 AA) and if you reduce the recording interval.

The map is rubbish, I deleted it to get more data for the exported tracks, which you can download to any computer with a USB cable, no special driver needed. Unfortunately it doesn't have a card slot.

The great thing for hiking is it supports just about any coordinate system you can think of (at least supports all that I know).

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