Wireless technology in Sport

wirelessSo the journey begins 🙂 . We revamp the site to take a closer look at the world of Wireless and GPS devices in Sport.

We’ll take a closer look at the impact of the devices in sports such as Golf, Fitness, Cycling, Swimming etc.

From wireless headpieces to training aids that assist with global positioning for all the sports you can imagine.

Sports and technology in sport have come a long way over the years. No longer do we need to rely on guessing and distances or need to be hard wired into a device for us to receive the crucial information you need in that moment of need.

The advent of training aids that can assist you in pinpointing the exact location you are currently standing and even helping you navigate your way to your destination. Whether you are on foot or driving, these days you are sure to find a device that will help you not only get there faster but return safely.

Lets take a look at a couple of quick examples which we will be covering in more details in later posts.

The Grand Old Game Of Golf

When you think of technology and golf, the first thing that comes to mind would be the advances in ball and club design and specifications.

But the age old question still remains, “how far is it to the pin”. Unlike days gone by, these days we don’t need to rely on pacing out the distances. Golf has tools that will do that for you based on where you are currently standing on the course. Along comes Golf GPS and Laser Rangefinders. GPS technology assist the golfer in knowing the distance to any point of the whole enabling them to accurately judge their next shot.

Fitness and Cycling

In todays day and age, cyclist and fitness enthusiast are spoilt with the level of information the available to the with wearable and mountable devices.

Cyclists now have mountable GPS enabled units that show them stats on their ride such as Speed, heart rates, cadence and more. These vital stats can assist them in reaching their destinations faster and allow them to pace their ride and reach optimum performance levels.

Fitness devices pretty much allow the same level of stats and one can use them to monitor their heartrates during their workout.

In coming posts we plan to look into these devices in more details and explain the technology behind them and how they assist in their given sport and use.

Wireless Distance Measuring In Sport – Golf GPS

What are Golf Laser Rangefinders and Golf GPS Units?

Golf, especially for the serious enthusiasts, is never a simple sport—it is the combination of physical prowess, intense focus, and sports technology that allows an individual to best personal records. Aside from golf clubs, golf rangefinders are fast becoming part of any golfer’s game kit. Magazines and websites have dedicated articles to these gadgets, but what are golf rangefinders, exactly?

Basically, golf rangefinders are devices that are specifically designed to provide a user with accurate distance readings on certain objects in the golf course. The information provided by the golf rangefinders can be useful in improving an individual’s game. Golf laser rangefinders utilize laser technology to provide you with accurate readings and improve the way you see the course.

Golf GPS units, on the other hand, function very similarly to laser rangefinders, but with GPS (or global positioning system) capabilities. This type of range-finding device can be a standalone gadget built specifically for the purpose of providing distance readings on the golf course, or can be installed on other mobile devices, such as smartphones or other GPS devices.

While playing a round of golf in the greens, you can take a golf laser rangefinder or golf GPS unit to gauge the distance of certain objects from the spot that you are standing on. Yes, we know, this might sound like the job for your eyes—but you might be surprised with how many people cannot come up with a good distance approximation just by using their eyes. The rangefinder or GPS unit will give you the exact distance with just a push of the button. This information will help you control and plan your swings better.

Differences between Golf Laser Rangefinders and Golf GPS Units

The main difference between a golf laser rangefinder and a golf GPS unit is the kind of technology used by the device. (I found this site that had both so feel free to check out the available devices)

Laser rangefinders, of course, use laser beams in order to determine the distance of the user to an object. With a simple push of a button, the device sends out a beam of laser toward the object, and then measures the time taken by the beam to be reflected on the target object before returning to the device that sent the laser. Laser rangefinders use the principle of time of flight to provide distance readings. However, laser rangefinders are not advisable for use with high precision measurements, as it is not as accurate as other techniques.

Golf GPS units, on the other hand, use GPS or global positioning system, which then uses a space-based sattelite system to provide not only location, but also time information in different weather conditions. Four or more GPS sattelites are used to collect distance and time information, which can then be accessed by all people who have GPS receivers. Golf GPS is preferred by many people who possess devices that have GPS capabilities, such as most models of smartphones. Golf rangefinder software or apps for mobile phones or computer tablets are available in the market, and are much cheaper compared to dedicated range-finding devices.