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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 27 janv. 2010 : 02:09:28
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UPDATED 20100204 : Test unit came in, first report from the road below
 Product page on the Qstarz website : > link < The Bluetooth GPS market is not what it used to be although with the presence of built-in modules in smartphones, but Qstarz (website) are regularly coming out with systems that up the ante. Their latest model, the BT-Q1000eX Lap Timer comes with impressive features, bluetooth, data logger, 5Hz, vibration sensor.
Based on the MTK v2 (MTK 3329) chipset it is capable of logging at 5Hz (5 positions per second) and that makes a significant difference in terms of accuracy as seen in this article. Unlike previous versions there is a switch to choose 1Hz or 5Hz on the fly. It also has a vibration sensor to turn itself on and off when needed. A test unit is on its way to the "GpsPasSion Labs" so stay tuned for more...
Questions, comments ? |
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Craprabbit
7 Posts |
Posted - 05 févr. 2010 : 02:47:08
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Thanks for bringing the Qstarz BT-Q1000eX to my attention - this certainly looks like a nice unit! This is pretty much exactly what I'm after, all contained in a single off-the-shelf package.
I do have a couple of questions though:
1) Is it really worth three times the price of the i-Blue 747A+ ?
2) Is the Lap Timing Analysis software (which looks very impressive!) separately available - potentially for use with data collected by a i-Blue 747A+ for example :-) |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 05 févr. 2010 : 03:45:05
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1. Your call, certainly a nice list of additional feature. 2. Doubt it, it's the selling point of this model and no other Qstarz GPS has a manual switch for 5hz.
FIRST REPORT FROM THE ROAD My demo unit came in yesterday for testing and I took it on a quick trip, unfortunately I forgot it where I stopped so it will only be back with me on Monday...
 First impressions are positive :
1. Sleek design, red top might be prone to scratching though
2. Comes with many accessories : USB cable, car charger, fabric case with a strong adhesive to place on your "extreme vehicle", velcro ties, plastic ties, a fancy Qstarz sticker, two lavish guides, CD with software of course and a flyer for a special Facebook page (here is the link : http://tinyurl.com/ybfgsoa)
3. Switch from OFF to 1Hz to 5Hz is seamless. I was concerned at first because the Bluetooth LED does not blink in the 5Hz mode (even though a table in the manual says it does), but Bluetooth still works, so I'm thinking this is a remnant of the original 747 design where the current 5Hz switch position was logging only, hence the BT led being off.
4. Sensor works as follows : after 10 minutes with no movement the Q1000eX goes into sleep mode and stops logging, good for saving on memory. It will start again if it is moved, ever so slightly, or if you connect to it over Bluetooth. That's clever if you've fastened it to a car and are downloading the data. The manual says it can be deactivated by the PC software.
5. New is the "Beep" too, it chimes in to indicate a switch from 1hz to 5hz or the activation of sleep mode, pretty handy. Not sure if it can be deactivated like the sensor.
TBC...
 In good company - connected to my iPhone with RoqyGPS |
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FrankR
15 Posts |
Posted - 05 févr. 2010 : 13:44:26
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I want one. :)
But for now, I'm settling for the 747A+ on the way to me. Looking forward to learning more about this interesting devices. |
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Craprabbit
7 Posts |
Posted - 09 févr. 2010 : 11:46:22
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Did you end up getting your unit back? Any further thoughts or comments?
I'd love to see a sample of the data-trace that it logged - any chance?
Cheers. |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 11 févr. 2010 : 16:46:18
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Hi, I want one too :)
Could you please describe how the nav/log works? I mean, is it always logging at 1Hz or 5Hz or can it be used as nav only? Also does this device can be set up with log triggers (speed, distance, time) besides the vibration sensor?
I guess what I want to know is if this device is an upgraded Q1000x with some cool extra features, or is it made only for "Pro" racing purposes, and is not general purpose device (geotagging, traveling, hiking, biking, etc.)?
Thank you |
Cheers! |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 12 févr. 2010 : 19:18:00
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Recorded some tracks yesterday so will check the logs later but I suspect that part works exactly like on the previous Qstarz loggers, so not great with the lack of a straight USB connection as an external drive. In spite of the handy BT747 tool this has me prefer other loggers for casual use. Logging on at all times unless one of the modes can ne deactivated, will check.
continued : Back with some comments on the PC tools. Installation was straightforward using the miniCD that ships in the box. The "PC Suite" includes two applications : Qtravels and QSports, the first one is designed to geocode picture and the second one to analyze tracks, including the new "Laptimer" feature.
I can't say I'm a big fan of these apps as they break the Windows "code" (drop down menus) in favor of "buttons" that are not that intuitive to use, with practice it should be better. Still I don't understand why this type of interface is viewed as an advantage, nothing new, Delorme started confusing their users with that type of switch back in 2000! Back to the Qstarz tools, of particular interest is the "GPS Configuration" button :

Pretty self-explanatory, with two new items : "Turn on Vibration Detector" and "Turn on Buzzer", so that answers one question I had above, the beeps can be turned off, just as well to keep things quiet.
The old "Qstarz Travel Recorder" application is also on the CD however it complains after a few seconds of being connected to the GPS that this is the "wrong device". It's too bad beause it shows satellite bars and various other tools. It also shows the list of data points, which the two "new" apps don't. As a result I had to export the log in .GPX format and open it with GPX Editor to verify that data had indeed been recorded at 5Hz :

Will try to record some "laps" this week-end to try out the new laptimer feature! |
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TulpiX
7 Posts |
Posted - 13 mars 2010 : 14:23:29
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Hello
has anyone more information about this device ?
explicitly the following:
- battery life
- if i set the device to log lets say every 5 seconds. how do the buttons affect these settings ? i mean if i set the button to 1hz does this then mean 1hz setting is translated to once every 5 seconds ? and how about i then switch to 5hz ?
- accuracy |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 13 mars 2010 : 14:38:24
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1. Not tested at 1Hz battery life should be the same as Q1000x, i.e about 40 hours, at 5Hz about 25 less, so that would be 30 hours. 2. Not sure what you mean, it will either log at 1Hz or 5Hz based on the position of the switch, the change happens on the fly, the button is to mark a POI. 3. Not tested specifically but should be the same as the Q1000x also equipped with the MTKv2 chipset, see its topic. |
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TulpiX
7 Posts |
Posted - 13 mars 2010 : 14:57:06
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ah thanks.
what i mean for number 2 is. in the screenshot above i saw an optioun to change when loggin occurs. every x seconds , every x meters .... how do these options affect the switch on the device. do they only affect the 1hz setting on the switch or both ? or is it possible to configure options for both switch settings ? |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 13 mars 2010 : 15:10:36
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| I see, yes they would apply to both modes (not available separately for each mode). The way to look at I think is that anytime data is logged based on these settings it will be at 5Hz or 1Hz depending on the position of the switch. |
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TulpiX
7 Posts |
Posted - 13 mars 2010 : 15:32:38
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| ok thanks for the information |
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TulpiX
7 Posts |
Posted - 23 mars 2010 : 00:11:58
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hello
is there a program to download tracks, clear track memory and/or configure this datalogger from a mobile phone over bluetooth ?
thanks |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
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TulpiX
7 Posts |
Posted - 24 mars 2010 : 17:03:23
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thanks.
i have still another question (which may sound stupid) how do i enable sbas with this logger ? i used the qstarz gps viewer utility an enabled sbas. and pressed set :) and then verified with the bt747 tool meentioned above. but according to my nmea logs the fix type im the gga sentence seems to be 1 (according to my searches this seems to be normal fix and 2 should be dgps fix)
is there another way to enable this ? or am i not getting something ? |
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