bc said..
this from locosys after I emailed concerns on features of new unit
Hi Simon,
This is Kathy, sales manager from LOCOSYS.
Thanks for your feedback and opinions for our GW-52. The specification of GW-52 hasn’t be completely fixed yet. Our target is to make it compatible with GT-31/BGT-31 both in price and waterproof IPX7 Level. We will ship out our device to our selected agent for trail very soon. If there’s any update, we will keep you posted. We understand that customers (especially for the windsurfing customers) prefer to have a product with higher waterproof level (like IPX8) and with a ruggedized housing. We estimate that it will make the unit price become 3 more times higher than the price of GT-31/BGT-31 to fulfill those requirements. The C/P value is relatively low both from user and manufacturer point of view.
More than that, the size and weight will be double at least than current unit. We doubt if it is suitable for arm or wrist wearing for extreme sports. This is the main reasons LOCOSYS decided to focus on IPX7, and the unit price will compatible with GT-31. We only suggest our windsurfing customers to use GW-52 with a water proof bag to protect the unit as GT-31 does. (IPX7 is still not enough for extreme sports)
In addition, GW-52 has its particular speed genie function for surfing users. The speed genie function is designed to display the speed result (max,max avg) after every session. There is no need to operate the device whiling surfing. You can refer to our user guide or contact us for more information. As to the memory size, based on 1Hz update rate, totally 120,000 points can be stored which equal to 33 hours operation. In order to keep its compact size, the battery capacity is limited to around 8 hours. Users can extend the volume by using external USB battery packs.
Here is how this letter should read in my opinion..
This is Kathy, sales manager from LOCOSYS.
Thanks for your feedback and opinions for our GW-52.
The specification of GW-52 hasn’t be completely fixed yet
and we are entering a final consultation stage of the design to ensure maximum sales of our exciting and innovative product. Our target is to make it
comparable with GT-31/BGT-31 both in price and waterproof IPX7 Level,
however we now understand that to make the unit fit for purpose for any outdoor activity including Windsurf, Kitesurf, Stand Up Paddle, Sailing, Kayak, Surf Ski and Mountain Biking to name but a few, we will need to develop our product further to achieve IPX8. We have a carefully selected Research & Development Team including elite members of the Windsurf, Kitesurf, SUP, Sailing and MTB Communities and will ship out our device to our selected agent for trail very soon. If there’s any update, we will keep you posted. We understand that customers (especially for the windsurfing, customers) prefer to have a product with higher waterproof level (like IPX8) and with a ruggedized housing. We estimate that it will make the unit price become 3 more times higher than the price of GT-31/BGT-31 to fulfill those requirements. The C/P value is relatively low both from user and manufacturer point of view. More than that, the size and weight will be double at least than current unit.
We acknowledge that the C/P value in making these improvements in the specifications has overwhelming potential to reach many more consumer groups and we are in consultation with our Marketing Consultants and our Consumer Group Experts to develop and deliver an exiting marketing campaign - with the increased consumer base we can keep the cost of the GW-52 right down and we will be able to attract users who currently use other brands such as Suunto and Garmin We doubt if it is suitable for arm or wrist wearing for extreme sports. This is the main reasons LOCOSYS decided to focus on IPX7, and the unit price will compatible with GT-31.
We will till recommend our windsurfing customers to use GW-52 with a water proof bag to protect the unit as GT-31 does. We have observed that some users are developing their own secondary protective hard cases and we are taking into consideration the positions of the connection ports and user interface to best enable safe and practical use of the GW-52 within these secondary containments. It may be possible for us to develop an accessory pack for the GW-52 or even to make it compatible with a n existing widely used fixing/mounting system such as a camera mount. (IPX7 is still not enough for extreme sports) In addition, GW-52 has its particular speed genie function for surfing users. The speed genie function is designed to display the speed result (max,max avg) after every session.
We understand that it is important to be able to access the units ON/OFF and FUNCTION buttons while the device is within its secondary enclosure as this will ensure no moisture including condensation can be avoided. There is no need to operate the device whiling surfing. can refer to our user guide or contact us for more information. As to the memory size, based on 1Hz update rate, totally 120,000 points can be stored which equal to 33 hours operation. In order to keep its compact size, the battery capacity is limited to around 8 hours.
We understand that for many users this is battery capacity is insufficient and we are now working on a battery with 30-40hrs of continuous use at 5Hz. We are investigating the most practical way to include the additional 2GB of memory the GT-31. We are also addressing concerns that the antenna we intended to use will not suffice and we will increase the size and position it better.
We are very pleased to have continual feedback and support and we, like you, believe that we will go to market with a world-class innovative device.
LOCOSYS
