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SPORTSTRACK > FAQ's
Frequently and recently asked questions and answers about SportsTrack. If you would like to submit questions, please do so from the "Contact Us" page.
- What is SportsTrack?
- Why would you want to invest in a SportsTrack?
- Where is SportsTrack manufactured?
- In a nut-shell, how does SportsTrack work?
- Will my SportsTrack work abroad?
- How can I get hold of a SportsTrack? Can I hire one for a day?
- Why is there a rattling sound inside my SportsTrack?
- Is there any way in which the 7 hour battery life can be extended? If the battery is running low, is the ability to receive GPS affected?
- I turned on my SportsTrack and moved off straight away. But, on reviewing my information, my route was traced as a straight line initially and the correct route line only
- Is there a standard interval for locating a GPS fix? Is the fix activity- or speed-based?
- `Trip Info` on the menu states - `Not yet available` - is this correct?
- My time zone is incorrect. How do I change this? And the street names of some of my locations overseas are not visible on the map site. Why?
- Is there a web site link to the Mobile Phone download facility?
- How does E-mode work? Can someone call me if I need help?
- Do I need to download data from my SportsTrack? What infrastructure do I require to view my data?
- What is a buffer number?
- I receive emails with data and KML files each time I use my SportsTrack. Is this automated? Can I access Excel spreadsheets showing the GPS data?
- What is SportsTrack?
SportsTrack is a real-time tracking unit that uses GPS for precise positioning and integrated GPRS for data transfer. It transmits information about its position and speed to our server where this data is seen in various forms. Only those who have access to your SportsTrack identity will be able to view your information.
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- Why would you want to invest in a SportsTrack?
Allow those who care about you track your every move when you carry your own SportsTrack.
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- Where is SportsTrack manufactured?
SportsTrack has been developed and manufactured in South Africa using locally sourced components wherever possible.
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- In a nut-shell, how does SportsTrack work?
SportsTrack uses GPS for precise positioning and GPRS transmission to pin-point and publish your position; this unique integration of technologies makes SportsTrack the ideal real time movement monitor.
The data gets to the device by GPRS. Each location transmit is a 120 byte packet. The average data usage per SportsTrack is 8Mb per month for recreational / sport use, and 25Mb per month for small business (vehicle) use.
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- Will my SportsTrack work abroad?
You can use your SportsTrack anywhere in the world as it is compatible with data roaming. This means that your position anywhere in the world can be viewed - providing that there is GSM coverage - both on any computer and on any java-enabled mobile device.
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- How can I get hold of a SportsTrack? Can I hire one for a day?
- Why is there a rattling sound inside my SportsTrack?
There is a motion sensor built into the design. This can be used to shut the unit off when stationary and so save power. The auto-shut off is an optional parameter that is activated from a server-sent parameter. Please email your request for this setting.
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- Is there any way in which the 7 hour battery life can be extended? If the battery is running low, is the ability to receive GPS affected?
The 7hr battery life is currently being revised. The power is roughly utilised as:
50% - GPS, 25% - GPRS, 8% - Display, 17% - Other.
Poor GPS negatively affects GPS power draw. No GPRS availability when GSM cover is available significantly affects GPRS drain (due to looping reconnect attempts).
15 hours of battery life can be achieved by slowing GPS fix interval, but this affects accuracy. Extended battery life by batching GPRS packets will be optimised in version 1.2 of the firmware. This version will be mailed to all owners of devices once it has been satisfactorily tested.
Currently, an external battery pack can be attached to the SportsTrack to give it an additional 10 hours tracking time, depending on conditions.
Low battery DOES NOT affect GPS – the module relies on 3.0V to operate.
Low Battery DOES affect GPRS transmission; anything below 3.65V is considered threshold. Version 1.2 will stop GPRS transmit entirely below 3.65V with the exception of instructions actived in the menu.
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- I turned on my SportsTrack and moved off straight away. But, on reviewing my information, my route was
traced as a straight line initially and the correct route line only
Initial GPS acquisition is still being optimised. The optimisation of the firmware on the GPS module to improve cold-start time will be significantly improved by maintaining a stand-by voltage on that module. This will be included in firmware version 1.2.
However, direct cross-testing between SportsTrack and Garmin Edge units show that the initial acquisition is within seconds of each other under identical atmospheric conditions.
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- Is there a standard interval for locating a GPS fix? Is the fix activity- or speed-based?
We have the highest fix rate at the average speed of the activity, with a slower fix interval further away from that speed.
In other words, a runner will require a profile with maximum transmit at 15km/hr. Then, if the runner then uses the device in a vehicle travelling at 60km/hr, the rate is automatically slowed down to reduce GPRS data sent.
To view the speed / fix interval, on your SportsTrack, select Menu, System Info.
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- `Trip Info` on the menu states - `Not yet available` - is this correct?
This will be available on SportsTrack version 2 models. This will include information such as distance travelled since the marker was pressed, distance to next event-specific marker, distance from team mates, etc. Full details will be mailed to all owners of SportsTrack units once full testing is complete.
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My time zone is incorrect. How do I change this? And the street names of some of my locations overseas are
not visible on the map site. Why?
The time zone is a parameter setting on each unit. Please send us an email at info@sportstrackuk.com with your device EMIE and the time zone in which you will be using your SportsTrack. Your parameter settings will be updated upon receipt of this mail.
GeoOrigin holds the rights the maps of various overseas areas. Currently we are not using their maps. This is under review.
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- Is there a web site link to the Mobile Phone download facility?
To download SportsTrack.mobi to your cell phone:
1. Go to SPORTSTRACK MOBI
2. Enter your email address and phone number.
3. Specify the make of your cell phone.
4. Click on Request Download Link. A download link will be sent your email address.
Once you have downloaded the cell phone application you can add up to 5 SportsTracks to monitor via your cell phone. To add your SportsTrack, enter its serial number into the Device Code field. Click on Authorise Device. To find the serial number for your SportsTrack, go to the Menu and select System info. The number is the first one on the list.
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- How does E-mode work? Can someone call me if I need help?
You press both the up and down arrows simultaneously. An emergency SMS is sent to your designated contact, detailing your position, the time and your requirement to be contacted urgently.
Yes, you can receive an incoming call. You can be heard by the caller up to 25m away from the device.
There is a microphone on the side of the unit which allows two-way conversation. You will only be able to hear your caller if you are using the optional headset. You cannot initiate a call from the device.
The SIM number for your device can be found under Manage GPS on your personal login page.
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- Do I need to download data from my SportsTrack? What infrastructure do I require to view my data?
Data is not stored on the SportsTrack, except where there is no GPRS. This data is transmitted as soon as GPRS is re-established. Always check all your data has been transmitted by ensuring that the buffer numbers are either
1 – 0 – 0.
Our server receives the data, processes it, and makes it available on the web servers. You do not require any infrastructure, other than access to the internet. The live tracking is optimised for Internet Explorer 7 and above. In order to download the full race data for an individual participant, you will need to have Google Earth installed on your computer.
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- What is a buffer number?
The second set of numbers below the power display: 1 – 0 – 23.
These are the GPRS APN number, the Active Transmit Buffer and the History Buffer.
When a fix is taken, it `appears` in the active buffer (`0`). It is immediately transmitted, but if it is not acknowledged by the server within 16 seconds, it moves to the history buffer (`23`) to be transmitted after the next successful transmission. This is why it is necessary to ensure that at the end of an activity, the last figure is zero.
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- I receive emails with data and KML files each time I use my SportsTrack. Is this automated? Can I access
Excel spreadsheets showing the GPS data?
Yes. If you do not want to receive these reports, simply remove your email address from the system under Manage GPS on your personal login page.
Yes. Excel spreadsheets are automatically sent to you at midnight after each time that you use your SportsTrack
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