Looking for cycling software...

[CDAhmedEH]

Hello,

I am looking for cycling software that can do the following things :
-Be used as a Speedometer
-Be used as a Odometer
-Other features such as graphing if possible.

A program that has these feature for the PalmOS is called Bikini (http://home.swipnet.se/~w-51358/pilot/default.htm). But I am looking for this type of software for the PocketPC, prefferably supporting landscape mode and receiving input from an input cable linked to some type of sensor.

Thanks for taking time to read and reply.

[FormerMVP]

Make sure to check out MySportTraining (http://www.vidaone.com/mst_ppc.htm) ndwith the MySportTraining GPS (http://www.vidaone.com/mstgps_ppc.htm) add-on. That will do exactly what you are looking for, including graphing, and a whole lot more if needed :)

[CDAhmedEH]

I looking for a program that dosen't use GPS technologies. I am looking for a program that uses a sync cable linked to some sort of sensor or switch as input.

[Sven Johannsen]

I don't think you are going to find it. That was kind of a kludge done by that one guy for the Palm. Looked like he soldered wires to his chest for the HRM ;) It depended on the RS232 sync input on the early Palms. Early PPCs supported that too, but that support is fewer and farther between. Today is pretty much USB. If something of this sort existed, and I don't recall anything off hand, it would likely only work on older PPCs.

I'd take a look at the GPS option. You can pick up a BT GPS unit for under $75.

[FormerMVP]

Have you considered a Polar heart rate monitor? MySportTraining also has a Polar add-on (http://www.vidaone.com/mstpolar_ppc.htm), where you can download via infrared from your Polar right into your Pocket PC, without removing your Polar from your bike's handlebar. The Polar monitor will give you heart rate, speed/pace, altitude, even cadence & power with additional sensors, all of it displayed in MySportTraining on your Pocket PC.

[CDAhmedEH]

OK then, I am going to have to buy a bluetooth GPS. But I have a question, what kind of "refresh rate" does a GPS have.

[FormerMVP]

GPS receivers provide positing data roughly every second. However, due to various factors, the position is not 100% accurate and may vary by up to 10 meters/30 feet (that's why for instance if you use a GPS navigation system in your car and your are not moving, the position of the car on the GPS screen may occasionally move a little from time to time). The best GPS software (including MySportTraining GPS) can ignore positioning data that is too far off, but if you are in a covered area on in some downtowns, you may temporarily lose the signal.

Note that these limitations are occasional and GPS receivers are otherwise very accurate (that's why they are so popular).

MySportTraining GPS (http://www.vidaone.com/mstgps_ppc.htm) has a satellite view so that you can see how many GPS satellites are "visible" by the GPS receiver, in case you can't obtain a reliable signal for instance. MySportTraining GPS has various other features, such as an auto start/stop which is useful for recording your workouts only when you are moving, etc.