Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Bussinger 11/13/21 #30464
I know this is an old topic but what is everyone using for a speedometer. Lost my Garmin 201 and my eTrexs have all died. Garmin quit making them both. I don't need $400 of fluff than looks pretty on my wrist. I need the basics that are large enough to read when mounted on the deck.
Larry B

Reivers Dustin 11/13/21 #30468
If you have android phone (or an old beater laying around) the software app is good. I've tried “Crewnerd” (now owned by Speedcoach) on my iPhone and give up. I'm using the Garmin 78SC. Big numbers. er, not big numbers, large FONT. little bitty miles per hour.

Duncan Howat 11/13/21 #30469
Larry, we must be wearing things out the same pace. I'm looking around for my favorite all around unit which gives ,speed-time- distance on seperate screens at the same time . It's the Garmin910-XT which they quit making back in ought -6. However I'm tracking a new one, so they say, on E-bay for $189. Straps on our foot strap on your V-9 just dandy. Easy to read, reachable to turn on when you forget to on shore. D

gsouthstone 11/13/21 #30470
Nelo just came out with an app recently. It also includes a free “management” app. . Don't know how it performs, but considering the company, it may be worth a look;
http://www.nelo.eu/mobile-apps/

John Rybczyk 11/13/21 #30471
Larry, I like the Garmin Fortrex series. They keep on changing the model number….I think I have the 401 now. You can get them at the REI for about $200. These are the rectangular shaped GPS units, not like a watch. Well, maybe an engineer might wear one as a watch, but not a normal person. You can select a 1, 2 or 3 data output screen. I like a 1 data/output screen (mph) and the numbers are REALLY BIG that way. The one I have uses AAA batteries, which last for about 17 hours. For me, that's around 2 years of paddling, for you retirees, maybe that's only one or two days. I like the batteries though, because in the past, I've had to replace my GPS for the following reasons, 1) I lost them or 2) the charging ports corroded in the salt water. Batteries = no charging ports. So, now I just go to Costco and buy one of those packages of 700 AAAs for $7 and keep them in my car.

Kerry Gustafson 11/13/21 #30472
I bought the Garmin 45 Running watch to keep things simple. I choose to have Time, Speed, and Distance shown in 3 lines (you can choose what you want to display).I fasten it to my foot strap and can reach the buttons while on the water. $200 but I see specials right now at $149 and $129. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/641121/pn/010-02156-05

David Scherrer 11/13/21 #30473
Hey Larry…What an ol'Barnacle should do is find a used Garmen 201 on Ebay mucho cheap….I'm on my 4th or 5th, can't remember.
D

Toby Cooper 11/14/21 #30476
I have used a rechargeable Garmin Forerunner 920 XT for years now. It was expensive but totally worth it after trying various cheap but inadequate kinds of watches. But I do wonder what I would do if it dies or gets lost. Last month the charging cable unit gave out and I called Garmin to see if they had old-model items like that in stock, and they sent me a replacement free of charge without question. I also have years of workout and race records on the Garmin Connect cloud storage. Great platform and great service.

I, too, looked at possible replacements at REI and went away unsure as to what to do about replacing the 920 XT if needed. Probably one of the running models would work, but my 920 even has a menu choice for “Surfski.”

Tyler Irwin 11/15/21 #30478
The NK Speedcoach is far and away my favorite
Reivers Dustin 11/15/21 #30484
discussion thread on surfski.info…

Looking for a new GPS - Surfski.info - Surfski.info

Stacey Wenger 11/15/21 #30493
My Garmin Forerunner 35 attaches easily to my front bungees or foot strap, and is easy for me to read while paddling. Might’ve been 100 bucks, certainly not 400. I’ve been using it for a couple years now. Works great!
Stacey C.