i-gotU GPS Tracker

I know several people who use SPOT trackers to record their rides and have thought the idea of having a record of your rides would be useful. However, SPOT trackers are quite expensive - this is because of their primary use which is to act as a safety device, meaning that you can always get a message through if you are inured somewhere out of mobile phone coverage. Whether you are likely need that sort of support within the UK is something of a moot point.


I had read about other GPS trackers and came across a review of the i-gotU GPS tracker on the gadgeteer's site here. This discusses the use of the device far better than I can do here!


I decided it was worth looking into, especially as I found one on sale in Maplin's in Telford marked at £29.95 (I think it was meant to be £39!). After a few trials I first used it on a ride this week. The only issues I had with the device were firstly where to secure it - it is very small (about 4cm x 2cm x 1cm), and I ended up attaching it with  some dual lock to my right hand winglet; and secondly to get used to remembering to press it each time I stopped to take a photograph. having synchronised the time on my camera with the time on the GPS software I was ready to go.


On my return it was fairly simple (following the instructions I downloaded from i-gotU's website) to upload my route into the Trip software, where it instantly appears in Google Maps, and then import the photographs from my camera into the route - these were time matched so they appear in the correct place on my route. Each photograph is also stamped with the time and the longitude and latitude where it was taken. After creating an account on the Trip website I then uploaded the route and here it is (note route probably looks quite convoluted - this is not because I kept getting lost, but it included visits to several landmarks I cannot show on a public forum!). I particularly like the 3D view, when you click on the Start icon a little motorcycle follows the route round.