Saturday, July 11, 2009

QStarz GPS Sports Recorder - Does the Q stand for Quirky?



The Qstarz BT-Q1300S Sports Recorder is a GPS enabled device that can be used by runners, walkers, cyclists or anyone who wishes to capture real time data about their sports activities. The device is about the size of a luggage tag and comes with an armband that helps the user position the unit for ideal performance. Also included with the BT-Q1300S are cables for connecting the Sports Recorder to a PC and a cable that can be used to charge the unit using your car’s power outlet. The unit can also be charged via USB when connected to the PC. The included application software for downloading and sharing Qstarz data only works for PC's with no Mac support at this time. The device itself is simple. There's a mini USB on one side and a small adjacent button for turning the unit on or off. That's about it. When this button is pressed there are four icons that illuminate in different colors that represent different things depending upon how they animate. The manual describes these differences, but just barely.

Adventure Girl and I have used the Qstarz BT-Q1300S on a number of occasions to track runs, both on the street and on trails. The capabilities of the Qstarz are impressive but using the device can be confusing. So are the results that you get after downloading the data. Our primary observation about the Qstarz BT-Q1300S is that it seems like it was designed by engineers who don't really understand a runner’s needs. To be sure, much lost in translation from this Taipai-based company. The manuals, and even their website, suffer from the lack of clarity. This is a description from their website:

"Sports Recorder is the most suitable GPS for use in every kind of sports activities which is capable of recording your sports and applying them in QSports software to analyze track, calculate calories, monitor your personal health, and project training plan."

The first time we ran with the device we were, in equal parts, impressed and confused. The Qstarz accurately captured the route around the neighborhood and it showed the run path on a Google Map-like interface (A) along with charts that displayed speed and elevation over time (B). However, some of the summary data (C) didn't seem to make sense as the average speed was far from what we’d expect and some distances appeared to be in miles and while others were in kilometers.


I quickly discovered a problem that has plagued us the whole time we've tested the unit: you’re never quite sure when the Qstarz is on or off. While we recognize that satellite acquisition can be tricky for all GPS-enabled devices, we observed that the Sports Recorder often failed to log data for the first 1.5 to 2 miles of a run. In some cases the average speed for a run event suffered because the Qstarz dutifully recorded long after it had been brought it into the house. Other times the path displaying our runs were noticeably off from our actual routes. It sometimes appears that we are running through people's homes and yards instead of on the path that we actually followed.

Adventure Girl tested the QStarz Sports Recorder during a trail race and remarked that at the frenzied start of a race it can be difficult to confidently engage the very small button that starts the Sports Recorder. Instead of a single push button, the device would be improved with a sliding button that can toggle between on, off, and log. Adventure Girl also noted that while the Sports Recorder is lightweight, the arm band itself was too large for her arm causing the band to occasionally slip off or flop around. The device also has a key chain loop that could potentially rub against a runner’s skin. That said, AG enjoyed using the Sports Recorder to determine the length of a few, favorite trail runs that she’d never been able to accurately measure. After obtaining the initial satellite lock, the QStarz did a commendable job tracking these routes that were covered thickly by trees.

One great feature of the Qstarz is its capability to export a KML file, an XML file that plugs into Google Earth and shows all your run metrics (Latitude and Longitude, speed, elevation) at frequent intervals. This showed how and where my pace had slowed during the run. The biggest issue is that the speed data only appears in kilometers even when preferences are set to miles. This export allows users to share their run data with other Qstarz users, a handy feature for running teams that are planning a trail route.

A fundamental issue with the Qstarz Sports Recorder is its opaque nature. You never quite know if it's on or off. When it is on you never know how well you are doing, only how well you've done after you upload the event data and look at it through the interface. The lack of data availability mid-workout is a limitation that cannot be dismissed, but it’s easy to get hooked on downloading the KML or KMZ file to review in Google Earth post-run. The waypoints (data representing specific points in time) can show running speeds in both out and back runs, a helpful feature for tracking fitness and performance between the beginning and end of a run.

The device is priced at $99.95 at Amazon, an excellent price for a featherweight GPS device that provides some impressive capabilities. The trade off is its quirky, “diamond in the rough” nature, confusing documentation and the fact that you cannot view run performance data in real time, only upon download. It’s a great tool for certain things but the lack of feedback during the run negates its value as a replacement for a Garmin, Nike+, Sunnto or other GPS unit.

Review by the Emerging Runner and Adventure Girl
Posted by The Emerging Runner at 11:29 AM
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Moji Knee - Field Test

Website: GoMoji

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video


The Moji Knee is is an innovative system for athletes who are looking for a way to ice a knee injury without giving up any mobility. We received a sample unit from the company so that we could perform a field test during race and then test under less rigorous conditions.

Our original plan was to field test the Moji cold compression system during a 180+ mile relay run over a 24-hour period. We quickly encountered a problem keeping the Moji's frozen gel cold cell frozen as it needed to be transported without a cooling source for three hours prior to the race. Over this duration, the cell thawed and it was no longer cold enough to use. So, the first lesson is that it's important to use the Moji system within 20 to 30 minutes of removal of the cell from the freezer.

Due to this limitation the first Runner's Tech Review field test with the Moji was performed a week later, by two women who had completed a grueling hike/run. One of the reviewers was suffering from severe knee pain and the other utilized the system solely for preventative joint maintenance. Let's call the first reviewer A and the second B.

A had been using frozen ice packs off and on throughout the day before transitioning to Moji. She immediately declared it a significant upgrade and remarked that she particularly appreciated the simultaneous application of cold to both sides of her knee. In addition, A found she was able to comfortably move around the house while wearing the Moji. As someone who experiences chronic knee pain, A indicated an interest in investing in a Moji (or two -- as she experiences pain in both knees).

B used the Moji after hiking, running, and playing soccer. She cautioned against wearing the Moji on a bare knee without first thawing the gel pack a bit. Since B used the Moji as a preventative measure only, it was difficult to judge its effectiveness over a short duration of time, but, like A, she also indicated it evenly distributes cold temps across the entire knee, except for the backside. Since B's leg is slim, she didn't feel comfortable walking around because the Moji tended to slip down her leg, but it is important to note that the sample that was provided was sized for a larger person.

Both reviewers had difficulty correctly putting on Moji without referring to the instructions and both agreed that the device is made of very high quality materials. Other observers remarked about the quality and 'professional' appearance of the Moji Knee. The packaging was attractive and the reusable storage bag was useful for easy and clean transport.

The third test was performed by an active runner who used it to treat some minor knee pain and as a preventive measure after distance runs. The Moji Knee was easy to set up and it provided excellent cooling around the entire knee for the first 30 minutes. Once the gel began warm up from contact with the knee it became far less effective. It was also difficult to tighten the brace enough to keep the cold directly on the targeted part of the knee, especially when walking. Another benefit for the design is that it can be wrapped around the upper thigh to provide support and cooling to the quadriceps muscles.

Overall, we recommend the Moji as a high end therapeutic tool for those with chronic knee pain. Anyone undergoing physical therapy for the knee will find it extremely useful, and it could surely be worn during electro stim treatments. Just be aware that it won't be adequately cool for use after more than an hour outside of the freezer. For those who'd like to use Moji in situations where access to a freezer isn't available there is another product we didn't review, called Moji to Go, that might fulfill your needs.

The Moji Knee retails for under $85 and is available at http://www.gomoji.com/

Emerging Runner Labs Rates "MixMyGranola"

Website: MixMyGranola

MixMyGranola can be described as Web 2.0 for food. Consumer generated content on the web that you can eat. Interesting yes, but is it a good experience? I took it to the Emerging Running Advisory Board to see what they thought about this product. The raters were me, Sedentary Man and Adventure Girl and our rating criteria were based on quality, taste, freshness and value.

According to their website, the company started when the founders concluded "none of the ready-made granolas that [they] could find in supermarkets and grocery stores really fulfilled all of [their] granola dreams. They created MixMyGranola.com to allow customers to custom-make their own granola mixes.

I was happy to try it out. Raoul from the company provided a gift certificate that allowed me to create a pound of mix. There was a dollar limit so I needed to constrain my choices to allow me to choose a combination of ingredients that added up to less than the amount of the gift certificate so I could reserve for shipping. The MixMyGranola website is attractive and the process is made very clear. You choose your base granola and then choose dried fruits, nuts and grains. You can even choose non-traditional mix-ins like gummy bears although I can't imagine a person who is so interested in good granola would make such an unhealthy choice. But the Emerging Runner is not here to judge the customers, just the company.

The selection process was simple and I liked the fact that, with each step, you understand both the cost and the nutritional makeup of your choices (calories, fat, fiber, etc.). I chose a mix with a muesli base, dried strawberries, dates, walnuts and pecans. I entered my personal data, the certificate code and then submitted. I received an acknowledgement of my order and my mix showed up a few days later by Fedex in an attractively designed tube.

I divided the mix up and gave portions to SM and AG and asked them to rate it based upon the above criteria. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being best) the three of us scored it as follows:

Quality: 4.7
Taste: 3.7
Freshness: 4.3
Value: 2.3

Impressions:

OVERALL
(ER) “I liked that I could specify every ingredient and I also liked the quality of the ingredients. Flavor (muesli) was slightly bitter and would have benefited from some balancing sweetness (dried fruit helped a little). I wished that I had chosen a granola base. Value questionable - can you justify paying $12/lb to get exactly what you want versus paying $8-9/lb at a high end market for a good quality mix?”

(AG) “Good website, fun process, nice packaging. Excellent fruit and overall quality. I think MixMyGranola is something I’d purchase as a treat or for consumption during a special race or event, not for everyday consumption and training.”

Criteria

QUALITY
(AG) “Definitely top-notch, as reflected in the below comments regarding taste and freshness.”

(ER) “I don’t have many points of comparison but this seems to be very good stuff. The pecans were huge and there was a generous amount of mixed-in ingredients.”

TASTE
(AG) “The muesli had a pleasant, oaty flavor that helped to counteract its dry, dusty nature. The fruit contributed the most vibrant flavors. The dates and strawberries alike were perfectly sweet, although I might have preferred more of both. The pecans were very good and counterbalanced the sweet fruits, although might have been better if toasted (roasted?).”

(ER) “I did not care for the muesli’s flavor but the rest of the ingredients tasted great. I added some brown sugar and heated the mix and I liked it much better.”

FRESHNESS
(AG) “Here MixMyGranola surpassed any other granola I have had recently. The fruit, in particular, wasn’t overly desiccated as you often find with dried fruits. Instead, they were moist and almost reminiscent of the texture of gummy bears. The strawberries were a quite surprisingly jewel-toned red that didn’t deviate too far from the natural color of a strawberry to be suspicious. The oats were too dry, but I think this is their nature. I added half of my portion to milk, and that improved the experience dramatically.”

(ER) “Certainly fresh, no complaints about that.”

VALUE
(AG) “The price is prohibitively steep. I think silver is trading at approximately $12 a pound, and this granola exceeds it by a few dollars. I might be willing to pay $15 for an entire pound of the delicious strawberries, but I think the sticker price is too high for a mix.

(ER) “Unless you are a dedicated granola fan with very little free time I question the cost against the work to buy high quality ingredients like these and mix them yourself. All the same, it’s a fun experience and a high quality product.”

 

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