GPS with trip logging - recommendations ?

[ophool]

OK - I am starting to find interest in GPS navigators, not so much for their navigational capabilities, but I notice that some seem to have trip logging capability.

This I can envisage being very useful, however it will depend on the implementation and usability.

The thought being to replace a vehicle log with an electronic version, hopefully with downloadable records that can be PC processed, analysed, databased, etc.

The need is for more than a 1 trip record, rather at least the record of movements, distances and times for a day (or more).

The ability of some units to receive traffic updates is also of interest.

Any input regarding the performance of particular makes/models in these two areas of interest.

The possibility of using a GPS receiver and appropriate software on a laptop is another possibility, again, I have little info on this option ATM.

Gentlemen, you have the floor.

[JohnA]

i use the navman s series platinum

the s300t has just about everything you require.
I do not use trip logging but it does have it along with these other features
http://www.navman.com/in-car/3294/Australia/Navman-Australia/Our-Products/Current-Products/S300T/Feature-List/

i think you can also download the manual

[nofixedaddress]

Most of the trip logging done in GPS PNDs is of the single journey, breadcrumb trail type and wouldn't be of much use for what you want. I couldn't find much on trip logging with incar navigators.

I don't know of any PC programs that do that well. All the programs I've used are not designed for that purpose and as such are very clumsy (or expensive) to trip log. PC might be your best option if a program exists. I did a very quick search and could not find one.

Systems that will trip log ATM that I'm aware of are more along the lines of truck systems (like the VDO Dayton PC series) or fleet management systems like the Motorola VC6096. These will be a lot more expensive and require professional fitting.

Not to say logging that you are looking for will not be available in the very near future. One problem I see is that the distance covered as determined by GPS may not be accepted by authorities as its not accurate because the GPS does not function 100% of the time (powering up, loss of coverage, switched off etc). This is why the fitted expensive systems can be used because they have the ability to take input from the vehicles odometer and use other sensors to compile distances.

Id be looking into the acceptability of a GPS alone log before embarking on the quest to find one. Maybe thats the reason why GPS makers haven't bothered with trip logging.

NFA

[proftournesol]

my Garmin 305 bike computer does GPS trip logging. It can store many rides at a time and each battery charge lasts about 6 hours.

[norpus]

i use the navman s series platinum

the s300t has just about everything you require.
I do not use trip logging but it does have it along with these other features
http://www.navman.com/in-car/3294/Australia/Navman-Australia/Our-Products/Current-Products/S300T/Feature-List/

i think you can also download the manual

Snap! me too John
I have found it has been less intuitive than my old Navman however
(hehe need to read the manual perhaps!)
The logging piece I haven't worked out by intuition yet - the old one was easy to find the setting
I wish I could turn those 500mtr radius school warnings off - stupid to get audio alerts when travelling on the freeways :mad:

[JohnA]

have to agree with you norpus. I do not like the new interface, and as you have not read the manual.
i believe the warnings can be turned off

[norpus]

OMG- there are 3 user manuals! 145MB I have just downloaded
It may even do what OP wanted - it'll take more than an hour to digest these puppies tho

[nofixedaddress]

Here you go Ophool, this sounds like it might perform what you want - just released today in the US.

TeleNav-Shotgun-Automates-Mileage-Tracking-for-Business travelers (http://lbs.gpsworld.com/gpslbs/LBS+News/TeleNav-Shotgun-Automates-Mileage-Tracking-for-Bus/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/576384?contextCategoryId=1385)

NFA

[ophool]

Thanks fellers, yes NFA the last does look sort of like it, 'cept it is US only, plus $130PA subscription (and I suspect a rather hefty communications bill)
I'm pretty sure cabs use the sort of thing I'm looking for, trouble is most cab drivers are not tech heads to ask them about it and the marketing is, I expect, like the transport industry solutions like tachographs, fairly targeted and not much known outside the relevant industries.
Prolly on the exxy side too for what I want, yes, the Navman manual is a little daunting.
Was trying to avoid the tedious data entry stuff with real-time capture, maybe in a year or two.
Most of my mileage is in areas I know reasonably well so the navigation aspect would be more of a distraction than a help except for real time traffic updates.
Guess I will wait.

[proftournesol]

ophool that's why you should look at a Garmin 305 or 205 (cheaper) cycle computer. It'll record kms, speed, route etc, it's small, it won't offer you navigation that you don't need.
It's also simple - turn it on and press start!
When finished you can download the data to a desktop computer programme.

[nofixedaddress]

ophool that's why you should look at a Garmin 305 or 205 (cheaper) cycle computer. It'll record kms, speed, route etc, it's small, it won't offer you navigation that you don't need.
It's also simple - turn it on and press start!
When finished you can download the data to a desktop computer programme.

The problem with those simple systems Prof is that they consume a lot of time in the management of the data and the manual input of the required additional information. In a recreation situation the route mapping does work well (I use garmin's for my private use as well) but it was never designed to be used in a working environment.

What Ophool is after, needs to be simple to use with a minimal amount of data manipulation at the end of the day - that takes an expensive and well designed system to do the work for you. The competion don't forget is a manual log book (old tech with pen and paper or using a PC/ Pad entered in a database). Using a recreation GPS or a incar nav to replace the manual system will add a heap of additional steps (and sources of failure) and increase the amount of time needed to work it all out.

Unless the GPS unit has been designed to create a log database - forget it.

NFA

[ophool]

I did come across a few data logger type devices but they did not seem to offer what I was looking for.
For a year or so I tried using a PDA program instead of the pen and paper method and wanted to be able to integrate the trip data as a linked table in my jobs database to ease analysis and reporting.
Between forgetting to input and flat batteries in the PDA and corrupted syncronisations, I went back to paper and type it in which is where I still am.
All that needs is a time/date, job no and odometer reading - but like many such things is all too easy to overlook when in a rush or distracted one way or another, a passive recorder would remove most of that, the job no part is easy enough to recall at the end of the day anyway, I have the paperwork for them and know the order I went.
Maybe the profs idea can work or one or another of the loggers I have seen, have to investigate the data log formats to see how usable they might be.
Battery powered gear can be a hassle but I suppose most of this gear is battery powered and mobile phones are too - maybe I'm still being old fashioned there.
Though I still would not go to sea relying solely on electronics for anything.

[nofixedaddress]

It might pay for you to talk to a couple of automotive instrument repairers who fit these systems to commercial vehicles. They will be able to advise on what is available and the cost. There maybe a system that can use a gearbox probe direct into a logger with some minimal input.

I don't know of any of these companies in the eastern states. Aisat here in WA http://www.aisat.com.au/ do fit a range of logging systems to vehicles. Give them a call and they will point you in the right direction.

Personally I think your situation will require a commercial solution.

NFA