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The GPS Measurement Debate

  • 03-12-2010 8:51pm
    #1
    Condo131
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭


    I was forwarded this excellent article. Recently, I've seen several posts that appear to suggest that GPS measured runs are 'kosher'. Think again! The *only* measurement that can be stood over is one done by Jones Counter. Full stop. Anything else is just a 'rough guide'. A time over an uncertified course is just that; a time.


Comments

  • #2
    gerard65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,612 ✭✭✭gerard65


    The issues are when the GPS measures the course short, we then know something is very wrong. The 'Irish Runner 5 mile' this year was a example where anyone wearing a garmin knew something was very wrong, but would it have ever come to light that the course was short if no one was wearing the the device? And anyone who's used these things for a while will know there not 100% accurate. It makes sense that the 'Jones Counter' in the right hands is the only way to go.


  • #3
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    If it wasn't for everyone wearing Garmins then that 5 mile error would have never been noticed, other than by the guy who put the start line on the wrong marker and would then have just kept quiet. If I read a half marathon as being a 14 mile I'd also be a bit suspicious. The guy in that article complaining about a 0.2 mile extra just hadn't paid much attention to the reading he was getting on the Garmin during his training runs, if he had he'd have noticed that each time he ran around the block if came up with a slightly different reading.


  • #4
    menoscemo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,915 ✭✭✭✭menoscemo


    Condo131 wrote: »
    I was forwarded this excellent article. Recently, I've seen several posts that appear to suggest that GPS measured runs are 'kosher'. Think again! The *only* measurement that can be stood over is one done by Jones Counter. Full stop. Anything else is just a 'rough guide'. A time over an uncertified course is just that; a time.

    Irrelevant TBH. You only hear people complaining about courses being short (not long). The guy in the ariticle is an eejit.
    Garmins always measure courses a bit long but when they measure them a bit short, you know there's a problem.


  • #5
    BeepBeep67
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,087 ✭✭✭BeepBeep67


    (Long ago, courses used to be measured with a car's odometer, maybe that's why all my old personal records are so fast?)

    Does this raise the suspect PB debate again!


  • #6
    Condo131
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭Condo131


    BeepBeep67 wrote: »
    Does this raise the suspect PB debate again!
    Not really. Measuring with a Jones counter has been around for a long time now. John Walshe, of Ballycotton fame, has been using Jones Counter measurement since forever (and is widely regarded as *THE MAN* in this country when it comes to measurement), and has measured most of the courses in Cork and even far beyond "De Republic". If you have a PB on a JW measured course, from any time in the last 25 years, you can stand over it!

    So, here in Cork, we do scoff at some of the old PB's, because they were on suspect courses - and they are widely known (and mostly long gone), but the vast majority of courses have stood the test of time.

    Wrt the Irish Runner 5M, (I wasn't there in any capacity) imho, even without a Garmin, I reckon that the course problem would have been 'sussed' quickly enough. Pre-Garmin, we'd all have been comparing performances and, clearly everyone can't be having PB's in a race, so something was up.

    Otoh, everyone makes mistakes - I *always* worry that I've fouled up a measurement and only relax when I get feedback from participants - we just hope that "bloomers" aren't major.


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