GT-31

Since the introduction of GPS-Speedsurfing.com we have used several approved GPS-Devices, in recent years we switched over to Doppler supported devices, first introduced with the GT-11, the GT-31, the GX-52 and later the GW-60.  Still the GT-31 is one of the most used doppler GPS devices on GPS-Speedsurfing.com, you can find all settings in this section of the website.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The (B)-GT31 is not fully waterproof, so you need to use a Aquapack, Boxit or Equivalent.

Make sure that your device has the right SD-card (maximum size 2 GB) and the right firmware, the following firmware versions are recommended:

• V1.2 B1405a 
• V1.3 1123
• V1.4 B0803T (V1.4B0803T)

If not delivered with the correct version make sure you have the correct firmware & settings installed; 

1. After you downoaded the appriopriate ZIP file above, you need to "unzip" the content. The file with extension *.s is the firmware. V1.4 firmware has two *.s files, one firmware file and a GT31boot file. After unzipping, please read README and UPDATE-INSTRUCTIONS files
2. Install GT31Updater V0.71 or higher software, if not already installed (it is included in zip archive)
3. Install USB-serial driver from GT31 CD, if not already installed. The driver is necessary to communicate with GT31.
4. Clear GT31 Data Logger (DATA LOGGER>CLEAR>YES)
5. Turn your GT31 OFF
6. Remove the SD card and find a tiny sliding switch "inside the card slot" on the pcb, on "display side" of the card slot. The switch has a black lever and metallic body. The default position of the switch lever is labelled in white on pcb.
7. slide the switch lever using a match or a similar object away from the white mark
8. As a precaution, exit all Windows applications and disconect from Internet. Run GT31Updater V0.71 (or later). Select the correct COM port from the pop-up menu and choose "INTERNAL" mode. Then use "browse" function to select and load 2 files that you unzipped in step 1, one at a time:
   1. V31BOOT_V4D.s (you only need to update this when upgrading to V1.4 from lower V versions)
   2. V1.4 firmware, It may be necessary to quit and re-start GT31 Upgrader V0.71 after the first file update.

When Updater finishes, disconnect GT31 from USB cable, move the switch lever to its normal position, labelled white on pcb. Your GT31 should be ready to use. Power in ON, go to Settings and select Version. 

GT31 Settings              

There are 2 methods of setting-up Settings in GT31: ?- manual: using buttons in GT31 itself?- using NavilinkII : this method enables you to backup/share/restore complete set of GT31 settings. Download my settings file and use NavilinkII>Settings>Write function to load this setting file to your GT31. This setting file works for V1.3 and V1.4 firmware listed above.?   

Setting up GT31 manually  

MEMORY CARD

• LOG SWITCH should be ON-FIX. There is no point to log any data when there is no position fix.?
• NMEA ITEMS should be set to "SBN 1 SEC", which is default for all "extended features" firmware downloaded from this website. If you want the most complete data set from your sailing session, use SBN (binary) format logging.?
• MIN SPEED should be set somewhere between 2 and 5, unless you are specifically interested to log data when you are stationary.?
• FORMAT CARD. Read readme.txt file to find which cards are compatible with G31. Format the card a few times in a row. If you succeed each time, you can rely on the SD card that you use.?
• FILE SIZE should be set to CARD SIZE. This means that you do not put any limit on file size.??

SETTINGS

• USERNAME. It is important to set your name, so that data files are properly identified. ?
• SPEED AVG TIME = 10 seconds if you am for 10s runs, or 21s if you aim for 500m world record.
• SPEED GENIE = between 20-to-30 knots (37-55 km/h if UNITS are set to m). SPEED GENIE anticipates what you want to see. It automatically changes SPEED screens, resets MAX and MAXAVG speeds so that you do not need to push any buttons when you sail. SPEED GENIE is only active in the SPEED menu. The 1-99 value in SPEED GENIE is a speed threshold for activation of the real-time speed measurement screen. NEW: Speed Genie automatically saves 14 MAX speeds and 10 best n-second averages (n is set in 2b). You can RESTORE any value and make a photo showing your speed achievement. When SPEED GENIE in on (set to non-sero value) GT31 internal chipset parameters are optimized for maximum possible accuracy and reproducibility in speed measurement.??Speed Genie Sound: GT31 Speed Genie provides bio-feedback sound/light indicators: acceleration, max n-second average speed increase and also audio-announces the max avg speed result. Sounds are designed for GT31 mounted inside the helmet to provide sailors audio-feedback so that they can focus their eyes on sailing to improve safety and maximize speeds. LED bio-feedback is designed for arm-mounted GT31. 
• Set (ALERT>SPEED GENIE>ON) to enable Speed Genie helmet bio-feedback. If you need sound, set (ALERT>BUZZER>ON). The bio-feedback is delayed about ~2 seconds, due to the limited bandwidth of the GT31 Doppler system. Please see README file for details.

DATA LOGGER

• Data Logger is an internal memory for GPS data logging, arranged in a circular buffer that automatically overwrites the oldest data when full. It has the capacity for ~4.5 hours of logging GPS data every second with full precision. It allows Navi GT31 to be used without SD card. Set INTERVAL=1s. Setting MIN SPEED=5 helps to extend the logging time, because memory is not wasted to store stationary and low-speed data.
• You may wish to CLEAR the data logger content before each sailing session. Before executing CLEAR please SAVE the content to SD card. Using this method regularly ensures that you will have a backup of all your GPS data on your SD card. Of course you can back-up SD card content to your computer.
• The most convenient way of clearing Data Logger and other GT31 data before each sailing session is to use MISC>DELETE>ALL>YES function. This operation clears "best runs" memory too.

BACKLIGHT

If you need maximum battery life, make sure that you set SETTINGS>BACKLIGHT>OFF, because light consumes a large proportion of GT31 power. GT31 with BACKLIGHT=OFF has been tested to work at full accuracy and with SD card for 25 hours continuously.

• MISC? The most convenient functions of MISC are SAVE TO CARD and DELETE.?SAVE TO CARD - saves all GT31 memory items to SD card files. SD card must be present.?DELETE - clears all GT31 memory and Data Logger that have been saved using SAVE TO CARD??Using MISC items User can choose screens for Speed Genie result display.?

Following screens can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF)?

• MAX/NS MAX - screen showing MAX run speed and best N-second average?
• HISTORY MAX - screen thak compares current run with history best run?
• MAX SPEED - MAX speed of the run in LARGE font?
• NS MAX AVG - in LARGE FONT?When more than one screen is enabled (ON) they will appear in a "rolling" sequence.?When you have only 1 second to look at all Speed Genie results, enable only screen
• ??NEW FONT - enables highly readable Large font. Set it ON to enjoy clearer speed display??
• OTHER settings?Other settings are almost irrelevant for speed sailing. You may consider setting UNITS (NM or m), BACKLIGHT etc... in SETTINGS to suit you. ?  

BEFORE SAILING      

1. Power up your GT31. If you have set up the SPEED GENIE as in C2b - GT31 will enter the SPEED menu automatically after it established connections with GPS satellites. SD card Logging activity is confirmed by flashing log indicator. Move GT31 with speed above the threshold you set in step C1c and check it.
2. You may wish to clear the "history" of your best speed runs, to keep track of your best daily achievements. The best way to do this is enter MISC menu and do 2 things:?1. SAVE TO CARD>SAVE ALL (this will save datalogger data and best run history to SD card) ?
3. DELETE>DEL ALL (this will clear data logger and history)