 Poster: A snowHead
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A British company is hoping to offer skiers and snowboarders a way of tracking where they are and even how fast they going on the slopes this season with the launch of a new GPS device called the Satski. The pocket-sized device comes with a large square touch screen display, with an interactive piste map that allows you to track your journey around the mountain....It will be possible to get all sorts of information on the device, like your average and maximum speeds achieved, the distance you have covered, the altitude you have climbed/descended and more. The promised battery life is 4-6 hours, and the device will also have an MP3 player. But, it isn’t shock or waterproof.
It also comes at a high price - £1,500 - which might put quite a few people off. So, the company are hoping that customers will instead spend up to 40 Euros a day hiring one.
For more details see: http://www.satski.com/
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Isn't there also another device which uses bluetooth and your mobile that's being tested out?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Am I just tight - but 40 euros a day! For something that isn't waterproof or shockproof, and where the battery will run out halfway through! What happens when you bring it back wet and shocked?
I think further development on battery life, robustness, and cost reductions urgently required!
Robin
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
A British company is hoping to offer skiers and snowboarders a way of tracking where they are
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......... because up to now we've all been hopelessly lost all of the time. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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IN all seriousness if it was less expensive, water/shock-proof I'd get one... I'm a statistic whore.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If its just the stats get a standard GPS or even something like the Garmin Forerunner 305. The former you'll be able to use for navigation, download tracks to your computer etc. aswell as total distance travelled, height gained?lost max speed, average speed etc The Forerunner you'l be able to download heart rate data aswell, though the navigation won't be so good.
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Don't sumitski.com do a similar thing?
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you can get programs for a GPS equipped PDA which allow you to record where you go and upload to Google Earth...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I keep meaning to ask kitenski, any good ones for a GPS equipped phone worth a look other than Sportsdo?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I think the clever it must be doing, that you cannot get on a normal GPS is lock you into the pistes (at least I thinkso from the online demo).
This won't be much use if you live off piste, but must be quite clever as piste maps bear very little relationship to a real map. This explains why it is limited to certain resorts, as each one needs to be coded individually.
For normal GPS's if you want to see your route in Google Earth or on Google maps
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
is the daddy (and free!) It eats the output from pretty much any machine.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
For normal GPS's if you want to see your route in Google Earth or on Google maps http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/ is the daddy (and free!) It eats the output from pretty much any machine.
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As well as the above, if you need something to extract your track log from your GPS to your PC, try the free EasyGPS software, then upload the route to GpsVisualizer.
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The function of a "ski GPS" is lost to me.  It's like looking at a GPS in the street of Manhattan. (for those who's not been there, it's mostly square blocks with numbered street names). With the signage and limited intersection, it's hard to get lost.
Skiing off-piste, or walking in the hills outside the established tracks, I can see the use of GPS. Overlaying a piste map on a GPS display can be a fun project and even a nice additional feature. But hardly something peeps will pay 40 eruo a day for!
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You know it makes sense.
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Tried to see Satski at the Ski show today but didn't get a chance because there was always a crowd on the stand!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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1. The device is about £1450 too expensive. It is atleast 95% overpriced.
2. The daily rental price is about €30 too expensive. It is atleast 75% overpriced.
3. The battery life is about 2 to 5 hrs too short. It is atleast 33% underpowered.
4. The device is not shock- or water-proof. This is pointless for a high-activity snowsport.
Without changes, this device will flop.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Whitegold, agreed - this is for gear freaks to pose with in the bar. For the same money you could get an ABS, a Pulse and some really good new skis. Much better pose value!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sumitski is £16.50 per day in meribel or 25 Euro on the day.... 40 Euro sounds stupidly expensive
Other than a gimick to see how fast you ski, or how many miles you have clocked up it is just another fairly useless gadget.
Whitegold, I am starting to warm to your succinct style.... 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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never mind all that - check this out: http://www.sportsdo.net/Sports/Skiing.aspx
i know someone who has used this product - bought one in fact for 100 quid - swears it is amazing and addictive - I plan on getting one for this season - it just uses your mobile (as long as it is resonably up-to-date - i.e. bluetooth) - tells you all manner of things (speed, distance, calories etc) and even has lift-ackowledgement tech (whatever that may be - it apparently understands when you embark upon a lift) - you can even buy extra ski resort files from the site (very extensive list I may add) for a few quid each
check it out!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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oh, and I forgot to add - at the end of the day you can plot your days journey onto Google Earth - also, if you listen to music or take pics with your phone it will plot on the map exactly where the pics were taken and what tunes you listened to etc - and, it doesnt stop you using your phone 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I hired a tracker GPS in Meribel. Runs for whole day and they then overlay your route on to piste map + indcate max speed + where, distanc travelled. It was about 30 euros or so.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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shenryo, Sportsdo is the best I've come across yet, I've been running it on my phone but it's a bit flaky to rely on at the moment. I know there's a couple of using it too, as I've seen their plots on the Sportsdo website.
The 2 links kitenski pointed me towards look good as well but there's nothing like a good honest report from someone who's used it in the wild to see how it really runs.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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By the way you get a spare battery for this device so it seems an amazing offer! £200 for free unlimited maps. I am going to Val Thorens in December and Jackson Hole in February. Apprently Jackson hole will be available as of the 1st December
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just got an email back from the Satski Director- I am impressed!
You can download as many resorts as you want with the Satski GPS + unlimited at £200. You choose a map so when you receive the unit it has a resort you want installed. There after you will have your password and you can go online at any time and download maps to you pc/lap top and them Sync them with the GPS unit. You then load the unit with which ever Map you need.
The maps are updated every year as Pistes and ski trails change as do resorts , they add new runs , lifts and the resorts grow and as a result the need to update. Once you have a unit with unlimited the next year you would only pay 30,00 Euro for all the maps for the new year.( year is season 2008/9 is a year)
I think its worth getting one quick!
I don't like using my mobile phone as a device because with roaming data charges some of the software needs to open a GPRS channel.
SportsDo Ultimate Bundle is £110.00 and you need a mobile phone. This seems pretty easonable to m- but then I LOVE gadgets!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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FenlandSkier, I've got Sportsdo and whilst it's quite good, I'd agree it's also quite flaky. I've got a separate GPS unit and when the connection between it and the phone drops, Sportsdo seems to just give up. It might well be more reliable with a phone with GPS built in. Some people on the sportsdo forum seem to think it can do no wrong so I guess they're having more luck with it than me. I'll persevere though as it'd be nice to record my tracks for the Paradiski challenge.
Oh, the good thing about it is you don't have to have a data connection to record your tracks, just if you want to update them live (yeah, I'll just let the world know exactly where I am at this moment) or to track your "buddies" (friends with sportsdo). Down side is you have to buy any skiing maps separately.
I've just noticed that they're doing a bundle at the moment which includes a standalone GPS tracker with built in bluetooth connectivity to your phone which I'd go for if I was buying now. It tracks you even if it's not connected to the phone so if you just want to record you're tracks you'd stick that in your backpack and forget about it but if you want realtime maps, tracking etc. then you'd get your phone out and connect.
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Satski is the best on the market and the mobile download software is cheap costs 0.50 p per day to run in france ( download package) So no fear ot extra costs
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You know it makes sense.
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Word of warning with Satski- I have been charged for the device yet it has not shipped. This was nearly a month ago now. I appriciate that they may be backed up with orders but I don't expect to be charged so far in advance of receiving any goods. fingers crossed it comes tomorrow. I was assured I would get it by their MD by the 3rd Dec.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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You know what? I take my hat off to this company. I had a call from their MD, they are rushing me out a unit prior to my holiday tomorrow! What amazing customer service! I shall let you know how I get on! As you can imagine there must be an incredible number of people looking forward to these little gizmos and the demand must have been incredible.
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Poster: A snowHead
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tbanting, when I looked at their website I thought it was £200 complete with one map, and you had to pay for any others you wanted. Are you sure they're all free?
The startling changes in prices are not too reassuring here - it sounds quite an interesting idea for those of us who need specs to read a piste map.  Will it talk to you like a satnav in a car?
User reports, please.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you choose unlimited option that is the one that will allow you to get which ever maps you like. I think that would be for this season. Next years maps would be an additional 30 euros I think. I am not sure how many resorts would actually need an update. If I get the chance I will see if I can do a quick video for you tube- "out of the box". I can provide a better one after I hit the slopes. It doesn't talk to you as far as I know. I will be using it to plot my way around the slopes and as I have intermediate buddies I. An select to avoid black runs when I am with them.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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tbanting, yes, interesting to hear how you get on. When it's cold and windy I don't know that I could be bothered getting a little thing I have to squint at out of my pocket - especially if I also had to dig out the reading glasses.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Snow-forecast have come up with an offer for a Garmin GPS loaded with piste maps of the whole alps, for £269.99 (including 6 months membership of snow-forecast ).
I'd be interested in any thoughts people have about that - it sounds rather unlikely that they've actually got maps of everywhere? How do they work? The piste maps used must look very different from the ones we're used to (which are often a bit like the tube maps - not very topographical).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I am interested in a satski map for Austria. Has anybody one?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Or you can install the free iPhone/iTouch application which does the exact same thing. 
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| Ben3210 wrote: |
| Or you can install the free iPhone/iTouch application which does the exact same thing. |
only if you have an Iphone tho
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I would avoid Satski- I have had problems with mine and think mine is faulty- the company will not consider a refund but are willing to offer a replacement.
I now have to go via trading standards £206 is a costly lesson.
I have, potentially, a faulty unit (unless it really is that bad that it thinks my aveage speed skiing is 68 kph when stood by a lift and jumps about 500m when viewing my days skiing across pistes) and a long long dispute on my hands.
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FAQ
