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enricob
3 Posts |
 Posted - 12 sept. 2010 : 19:38:22
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Looking for a data logger, I select
Qstarz BT-Q1000XT
Columbus V-900
I can not choose.
Specifications are very similar.
Anybody has tried these devices?
Which is better?
Thank you.
Enrico |
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gpspassion
93394 Posts |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 24 sept. 2010 : 22:22:24
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I am also trying to decide between this two, for what I have read here and in other places so far:
Both:
Bluetooth dataloggers, MTK2 chipset, 1Hz logging, POI button, speed limit alarm.
V-900:
Has voice tag (but marks the point when releasing the record button, not when pressing it), records data in a SD card (not included) and you have to take it out to download data to your computer since it can't be downloaded via bluetooth nor USB. The USB port is only good for charging the battery, which by the way, is non-removable nor accessible since its soldered directly to the circuit board, a user here reported that his unit froze and had to wait until the battery drained completely to "reseting" the device.
The SD card has 2 advantages: the HUGE storage capacity if using a 2GB card (max size allowed) and also that you can read it in any platform (Win, Mac, Linux) and the included software also runs on all this platforms (is written in Java) so this is a big plus if you are not a windows user.
Other features are the spy mode, auto on/off with car cable, "Standard" an "Professional" log mode
Other cons: gpspassion reported that after a year his unit's case is broken and voice recording quality became unusable.
BT-Q1000XT:
The battery is replaceable (not big deal, but you could have a backup battery and swap it) and lasts MUCH longer, it updates at 5Hz (but only logs at 1Hz) may be this is useful when using it as a Bluetooth or USB GPS. On the memory side, it has a lot
of room for storing points, not nearly as much as the possibilities of the SD card in the V-900, but anyway it's A LOT, I think several weeks worth of data. Other aditional feature is the vibration sensor.
On the software side, it only runs on windows and not very well (freezes, crashes), but its more "industry standard". I see there are ways to use it on mac too, but are kind of hackish and don't give you 100% functionality. The data is downloaded via USB (I'm not sure if also via Bluetooth).
I think this device is more "tweakable" and configuration options are richer than the spy mode, you can for example set it to log every 3 minutes or 5 meters, and even though there is a lot of memory space, it matters for having clean tracks without a lot of useless points and without the need of post-processing. Also I Think you can control field by field the exact NMEA sentence you want to be logged.
This device seems to be more popular than the V-900 (in amazon 18 customer reviews for Q1000XT vs 10 reviews for the V-900), off course Qstarz being a much more well known company. Also, from user comments, I think this device is little more "solid" and has better GPS signal reception.
Conclusion:
So it seems both are great devices, it all comes down to your personal preferences, needs, and usage situations.
PS: There are video reviews on youtube for these data loggers from the same guy, I'm gonna kindly ask him to post his impressions here.[ed] |
Cheers! |
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gpspassion
93394 Posts |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 25 sept. 2010 : 22:49:45
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Hi, I e-mailed Rob from www.robnunnphoto.com the reviewer who made the youtube videos I mentioned before, here is what he said:
"If you're on Windows I'd go for the Qstarz, a nice all-around package with the software."
I've gotta say he is a photographer and his main focus on GPS's is geotagging.
Can any one else having experience with both devices give us an oppinion? |
Cheers! |
Edited by - Arturic on 25 sept. 2010 22:51:34 |
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gpspassion
93394 Posts |
Posted - 26 sept. 2010 : 08:23:36
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| As I explained in my previous message, and I even provided a link for your convenience, you don't need windows to use the Qstarz, so not a deciding factor. What I'll say is that once you've enjoyed the convenience of reading the log directly from the microSD car it's hard to go back. |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 26 sept. 2010 : 10:41:57
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Yes, thanks for that, I use Ubuntu Linux most of the time, and BT747 looks like a fabulous tool I can use, and is Free Software (GPL)!!!
I totally understand you could use the BT-Q1000XT in a non-windows environment, what I meant is that the included software is just for windows, and as I explained in my post, form what I read in some reviews, to use it in mac is not as easy (is "hackish") so I was just reporting Rob's view on the matter.
That said, I agree with you is not a deciding factor. Even if it could be used just in windows, I personally wouldn't mind booting in windows for configuring the device and downloading the data if hardware-wise or firmware-wise there was a significant advantage for the Qstarz.
I also completely agree with you about the great convenience of recording the data to the microSD card, not having personally done it, but I can imagine. For me, this (removable card and hence being naturally multi-platform) and the voice recording are significant advantages to the V-900.
However having log mode configuration (by distance, time and speed), vibration sensor, reporting accurate data, and not breaking easily are significant advantages to the BT-1000XT.
So Which of the advantages are more important/useful in real situations? (personal opinion?)
By the way, do you also have the problem of wrong altitude data in the V-900? Or has it been fixed in newer firmwares/units (with the MTK2)? That issue would be a deal breaker for me. |
Cheers! |
Edited by - Arturic on 26 sept. 2010 10:47:28 |
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enricob
3 Posts |
Posted - 26 sept. 2010 : 20:11:41
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Very useful comparison and so much details.
About setting configuration options, what are the best time/meter intervals for saving memory and having very good tracks, in case of moving by car and by foot?
Is it better to log with time or meter intervals? Logging with meter interval should be better because there are not useless points in case you are not moving?
What's more, Qstarz BT-Q1000XT package does not include an AC adapter. You can charge the battery connecting the device to your pc or your car, and it could be a problem in case you travel without pc and car.
Anyway, Qstarz told me that you can use some generic AC charger with mini USB connector and right specifications:
Input: 100V-240V ~ 0.1A 50-60Hz
Output: 5V 0.5A
What do you think?
Can you confirm?
Thank you.
Enrico |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 27 sept. 2010 : 04:02:22
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I think (not sure) the Qstarz devices can log with a combination of speed, distance, time, so for example, you can configure it to log a point every second if the speed is above 40 km/h, but if under that speed, then record every 5 meters or 30 seconds, whatever happens first. So you can have a good configuration for both vehicle tracks and walking tracks without having to go through the desktop computer config software every time you change your usage type.
Good to know about the charger, however that might be a good thing if you already have a collection of those USB chargers that come with every other gadget.
Please let me know when you make up your mind and why you went that way... as for me, still can't decide. I'd love a combination of their features. |
Cheers! |
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enricob
3 Posts |
Posted - 27 sept. 2010 : 23:13:28
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I'm probably going to buy Qstarz BT-Q1000XT because
_ 42 hours vs 24 hours duration battery
_ accessible, removable and replaceable battery
_ vibration sensor
_ better configuration options
_ better build device
_ better GPS signal reception
Some Columbus advantages are not so important for me (voice tag, microSD card).
Have you make a decision?
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 28 sept. 2010 : 01:15:40
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I think I'm going for the V-900 because:
- The convenience of the microSD card (I mainly use Linux)
- Voice recording, a unique feature, probably VERY useful
- I already have an i.Trek Z1 which is kind of the previous generation of the BT-Q1000X devices (it has the MTK 1 chipset and much less memory), but I get to play with most of the same software and configurations of the BT-1000XT, so getting the V-900 gives me more of a new toy
But sure I'm gonna miss the features of the BT-Q1000xT
---------
Off topic
@gpspassion: I tried a lot of things but couldn't get the url to display properly, and the forum code help doesn't say how. Can you please tell me how is done so I can fix it?
UPDATE: FIXED, Thanks! |
Cheers! |
Edited by - Arturic on 28 sept. 2010 17:07:14 |
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gpspassion
93394 Posts |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 28 sept. 2010 : 19:31:00
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| Sure I will... but before I buy it, I made a post on that topic just to make sure the device's known problems have now been fixed. |
Cheers! |
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Arturic
Mexico
16 Posts |
Posted - 30 sept. 2010 : 01:00:14
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You know what? after thinking about this way too much, I've decided not to buy neither. I had a conversation with mdeweerd in the V-900 topic thread and saw some other negative reviews about the V-900. I want to get a new toy to enjoy, and not the problems of calling tech service, ship it back etc... And about the BT-Q1000XT, in my personal situation it overlaps a lot of the functionality with my Z1.
But still, I want to play with a MTK2 device, so I'll see if I can stretch my budget and go for the BT-Q1000eX 5GHz logger, which opens some other very interesting possible scenarios to play with. Any comment or advice on this? |
Cheers! |
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Qstarz BT-Q1000XT vs Columbus V-900
