GPS would do it, the question of course being why?

Good Question
Ive asked it before with no response, but my research informs me that gps hight is inaccurate but a devise that can measure properly wound be one that measures air pressure.

So if you can find a waterproof gps that measures and logs hight with air pressure let me know by PM and Ill buy you a carton

Would have to log I think as it could be dangerous watching a digital dipslay from 40 feet up

Shadowbox might be the one as the video says it measures pressure but cant find where to buy, anyone know? Also a bit pricey.

Suunto watch says it has a altimeter and logging, might do it at at half the price.

Thanks for the info guys.

Completely separate from your kite at the apex of your jump, and freefall to the water.
Time it with a stopwatch

9.8m/s/s

There u have it.

... measure by how big your eyes get!

Rectal Pressure guage, measure how much you clinch in psi

Count how many times you say sh!t and if you say "f@ck me" at the apex, its a good one

Not really scienctific but I thought I'd just throw it out there

wishy said...
glue one of those surveyor's sensors to your helmet and get a surveyor to fire his laser at it from the beach.

Believe it or not but i did think of something similar. Envisage 'Soloshot' tracking device and electronic theodolite.

munro said...
Good Question
Ive asked it before with no response, but my research informs me that gps hight is inaccurate but a devise that can measure properly wound be one that measures air pressure.

So if you can find a waterproof gps that measures and logs hight with air pressure let me know by PM and Ill buy you a carton

Would have to log I think as it could be dangerous watching a digital display from 40 feet up

I've got a Casio pro-tech diving/hiking watch (older model but awesome unit) that does barometer, alt, compass etc. It uses the barometer's sensors to do alt using the air pressure method. It has a memory function that will restore the max/min values from the time the records are reset. I use to attach it inside my RC aircraft to measure the alt we got with them, reset the records prior to each run (not a major operation) then send it up. When it comes back, just scroll through the menus and it will give you the max height for the session. Obviously not ideal as you will only record the highest jump you do, but an option none the less :-)

A vario will work ok inside a waterproof bag (because the pressure inside and outside is the same).

I would be astounded if a vario could give an accurate height reading over 5-10 metres in 5-10 seconds.

BTW. I sometimes carry a GPS when doing coast runs on my raceboards. Last time I looked it recorded a height gain of 196 metres! I'm good but not that good!

I think an accelerometer system would be the best. Maybe you could write an iPhone app that uses the accelerometer in the phone.

The laser thing would be cool. You could make it like a video game. You could charge people on the beach to shoot at you and have some special effects explosions when they score a hit.

dbabicwa said...

Gorgo said...

I would be astounded if a vario could give an accurate height reading over 5-10 metres in 5-10 seconds.

Why? Please explain:) I've never used one for kiting. Not planning to either.

If you read my post, I've said it will scream on your jump. I remember reading 18m/s and altitude changing for 30 meters in a few secs.

...

That's interesting. I see more or less of your post depending on which Seabreeze view I look at.

Anyway, I have never considered altimeters to be precise, accurate devices. They give more of a general impression that is useful for flying and talking about in the pub at night.

Mostly this is an assumption. The general feeling on the net and paragliding forum is that they are accurate enough for flying but you would not try to measure something with one. The figure of 10m accuracy is mentioned. No manufacturer claims any level of accuracy for their products. They do specify the resolution of the display (1m for altitude and 0.1m for climb)

I have several altimeters and they always show different numbers. Years ago I tried zeroing my Brauniger at the water's edge then walking up to my house. It never gave a consistent reading. I will give it a go with my Aircotec this evening and see what happens.

Even if they are 1m accurate that is up to 2m of error.

The most I have been in is 10 m/s climbs and I wasn't watching the altimeter tick over at the time.

For the accuracy required and range of movement you couldn't go past laser.

Laser rangefinders like the below could be used from the beach pointing at the rider and their in-built tilt sensor calculates the geometry for you on the fly.

www.lasertech.com/Laser-Measure-Elevation.aspx



Best solution would be a laser rangefinder on your board/bar pointing straight down but I don't think there's anything available that's up to the task...

Yeah. I just past my mate. If I am looking down on his kite then I am fricking high!

The other fun way to gauge height is to do a long, high jump ... then watch all the windsurfers riding under your arc. My best is a three windsurfer jump.

Seems there is a 3D TRACKING SYSTEM that I know absolutely nothing about but Red Bull used for the inaugural "Red Bull Rockets" at Pozo Izquierdo, in Gran Canaria a year or so ago??

The 'Red Bull Rockets' apparently brought sixteen top national and international riders to see who can get the biggest jump (windsurfing)

What determines the BIGGEST JUMP is a real time 3D trajectory and measurement system. This revolutionary concept, designed by Epicsessions.tv, takes technology to a new level allowing data transmission, in real time. Each rider carries an electronic device in (I think they meant 'on'!) the arm during the competition.

Ok so the above is a cut and paste of the "event" but there is a Youtube vid which I cant find ATM ?? which kind of shows how it all works - extremely impressive. And holy moly they went big - very impressive!!the Pozo Vid is suggesting 11m as the best but the one I saw was able to show the trajectory of the jump, and its height - and from memory they were hitting nearly 60 feet (Hawaii?) . Ok small by kiteing standards but if you have ever jumped a sailboard - 10M plus takes balls!!

Perhaps the Kite community should invite Red Bull to a jump comp between the best kiters and poleys?? Amazing Technology - can anyone out there find the vid of the comp - very cool!!

^^^
cheers for that! Awaiting some awesome data:)

Mark _australia said...

stabber said...
You could use the "guess" method, you do the jump and guess how high!
Then double it when you tell yer mates.

Seems to work just fine for wind strength

Bit like that double mast high jump you did the other week hey?