Conquering Peaks and Wilds: The GL300W's Adventure in Saucony Crossing
In December 2023, as early summer graced the heart of Patagonia, Argentina, Juan Manuel Paul, the co-founder of FLOTApp, along with his brother Cesar Orlando Paul, embarked on the Saucony Crossing trail race. Equipped with the GL300W from Queclink Wireless Solutions, they were set for an adventure that blended personal challenge with technological innovation.
Juan Manuel’s journey into tracking technology began in the world of fleet management, drawing from his background as an industrial engineer. His vision for FLOTApp was to streamline vehicle tracking, transitioning from cumbersome paper records to an efficient digital system.
In his quest for the optimal hardware, Juan evaluated various tracking devices, and Queclink’s range stood out for its utility in tracking vehicles, assets, and people in all conditions. Determined to ensure the devices’ reliability in real-life scenarios, Juan decided to take a hands-on approach.
The Saucony Crossing (El Cruce Saucony) is one of South America’s most renowned and challenging stage races. Covering 100 kilometers through demanding terrain and unpredictable weather over three days, this race provided an ideal testing ground for the tracking device as well as a chance for personal challenges that appealed to both Juan and Cesar. The brothers trained rigorously for the race, and soon the day arrived.
The trail began with a grueling five kilometers of solid uphill. Compact and lightweight, the GL300W was a perfect fit for the Paul brothers’ race kit. It nestled unobtrusively in their hydration backpacks alongside other essential supplies like water and food.
Configured for 60-second reporting intervals, the GL300W offered a digital window into the brothers’ journey. Family and friends, over 1,700 kilometers away, tracked their progress in real-time through the FLOTApp tracking app.
As the race unfolded, the tracking solution demonstrated its resilience and accuracy, maintaining a consistent signal even as they delved into the mountains. Equipped with a multi-antenna M2M SIM, the device was able to stay online in the wild at all times.
The GL300W’s capabilities extend beyond mere location positioning. Its robust build, long battery life, and real-time tracking made it an ideal companion for endurance races like the Saucony Crossing. It provided critical data such as pace, altimetry, and elevation changes – metrics invaluable to both runners seeking to optimize their performance and organizers aiming for seamless event management.
During the race, Juan noticed that the organizers used an RFID chip system detected only at the start and finish for time control. The GL300W, on the contrary, provides real-time location tracking of each runner, recording the entire route in addition to timing. The panic button on the device could also be used to call for help in case of accidents or injuries, allowing organizers to quickly locate and send timely assistance.
Juan Manuel envisions a specialized system for trail running, leveraging the GL300W’s capabilities to enhance safety and performance, providing data visibility and insights. For Juan, these smart tracking devices can do more than just tracking. They can become an active part of the sport, elevating the experience for runners and organizers alike.
As Juan Manuel continues to explore the full capabilities of the GL300W and other devices, the journey to a smarter, safer, and more connected future is just beginning. Join us in this exciting venture and discover how technology is redefining the boundaries of fleet management, endurance sports, and more.
About Queclink
Since 2009 Queclink Wireless Solutions has been “Driving Smarter IoT”.
Queclink is a pure play IoT hardware designer and manufacturer working with many well-known industrial and consumer companies to bring innovative IoT solutions to market. Its business units span transportation, asset and mobility, networks and agriculture. With 52 million IoT products delivered to over 140 countries, Queclink inspires data-driven solutions for its worldwide customers.
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