Genie
GPS Genie BGT-31 Data Logger - Initial Review
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Price:
£119.99
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Weight:
96gm
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Features: Waterproof,
Extended battery, SD/MMC Card expansion, USB connection for
import/export, Bluetooth SPP, Hi Sensitivity SiRF Star III
chipset
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What's It
For?
A multi-sport, palm sized, GPS receiver for navigation and route
logging. The Genie BGT-31 is waterproof to the point of floating and
works as a stand-alone device for navigation and route
logging, with import and export to PCs and digital mapping
applications.
The
Techy
Bits
All the basics are there in this palm size GPS, with the industry
standard SiRF Star III GPS receiver and a patch antenna taking care of
the signal and a small monochrome display screen in the middle giving
you the essential information. The Genie BGT-31 (the "B" denotes it as
the Bluetooth model) is designed for use in watersports so not
surprisingly it's both waterproof and floats - and is designed to take
a mast or bike handlebar attachment.
Power comes from a built in rechargeable lithium battery that with
sensible use should last you around 30 hours, and up to 46 hours if you
use the power saving and no backlight modes. One benefit of
the lithium battery is operational temperature can go down to -20C with
a reasonable battery life. The GPS comes with both mains and car
chargers, but if you're out in the hills you'll need a USB equipped
charging solution - solar powered ones are available.
The internal memory can handle 1000 waypoints, 20 routes and just a
single track, so it's handy you can use SD or MMC cards to add a
further 2Gb of memory at a time. As you'd expect you can
connect the BGT-31 to your PC for exporting data and importing
waypoints and routes.
The
monochrome display is easy to read
The screen is pretty basic, but it's designed for use when you may only
get time for the occassional glance whilst flying across the waves, so
despite its simplicity it's easy to read and covers all the
essentials. You can have your bearing, speed and grid reference, in
familiar OSGB format, on screen within a couple of button presses.
Another handy feature is the fairly loud proximity alarm which you can
set for waypoints or location finding in poor visibility.
The
£6.99 add-on bicycle clip is an easy to fit, yet
fully adjustable mounting for both racing bicycles and mountain
bikes. Once installed the bicycle clip is relatively obscure
and claims to be
both secure and easy to install, but we've not had chance to test it
yet. For the same price you can also add a wrist strap with waterproof
cover that keeps the device both visible and in a better line of sight
with satellites.
How
It
Performed
We put the BGT-31 through a few basic tests on a typical June weekend
in the Lakes, with a typical mix of wind, rain and sun for a real-world
test. To save a bit of time the Genie was turned on before leaving home
and left to get a good satellite fix and download the all important
emphemeris data for quick fixes later. It wasn't timed precisely but
there was a good fix on eight satellites in less than 15 minutes, which
is
pretty much around what you'd expect from a SiRF Star III device.
The
format was set to OSGB for familiar grid references and then the
receiver got dropped in a pocket. Most of the enclosed software was
sailing and windsurfing based, but
file transfer is an essential feature of any GPS receiver and
a basic
software package was included. Quo accepts the native files for the
BGT-31 and GPX is useable for most digital mapping applications and
other GPS receivers.
At pre-set points the
Genie came out and was compared against a map, a Nokia N95 running
Viewranger and Quo on a PDA for accuracy. Not surprisingly, based on a
six-figure grid reference all four devices came up with the same
location instantly and double checking with the map soon confirmed the
location. There wasn't any noticeable difference in reaction times or
bearings across the tested receivers, with the BGT-31 performing well
for a 12 channel receiver.
The backlight was set to off throughout the
test and the BGT-31 was still going strong after a full 24 hours, so
should cope well with an average walking weekend.
£120's not an insignificant amount for what is a relatively
basic GPS, but the BGT-31 does fill a gap. With the add-on wrist band
and bike mount the Genie covers a multitude of uses for those who do a
bit of everything in the outdoors where other receivers may be somewhat
unwieldy.
The Genie also concentrates its focus on visibility, and if
all you want from your GPS is the occssional confirmation you are
where you think then this is ideal - a quick glance and you have your
grid reference. It's a hefty wad of money but if it fits your outdoor
life it could be just what you've been looking for.
A good all-rounder you can use on foot, on water or on your mountain
bike. The add-ons make it one of the easiest GPS receivers to see at a
glance while on the move, and sensitivity is what you'd expect of a
modern GPS receiver. The lithium battery could be a problem with
charging on the go but with the backlight off you should get a good
weekend's use from a single charge.
Buy
if you want an easy to read, basic, GPS receiver you can use across
multiple sports and aren't put off by the high-ish price tag.
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 Clear, simple display
useable
in any weather conditions
 Uses its
own lithium battery making protracted use problematic
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Performance
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Value
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Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own
experiences of this
product check out our user review system and post your opinions to
the world. If you have questions you can mail
us direct, ask
Richard Gear or try
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