Little Brother

Sailing GPS device guide Which device?

Every device records your race. Gold sees it sharpest.

Tracks and 3D replays work nicely on most devices. Gold devices have dual-frequency GPS, which pins your boat down more precisely and measures speed better, so your track, tacks, gybes and speed stats come out more accurate.

Already own it?

Will my phone or watch work?

If it’s listed, it works. Wear it, tap Start and go racing. The tier tells you stat accuracy.

See the full chart ↓
Thinking of buying?

Pick Gold if you can

Gold is the best choice for the most reliable data. Silver works well too.

Compare the tiers ↓

Three tiers of GPS accuracy

Most phones and watches are Gold or Silver, and both track your race brilliantly. Gold is the sharpest.

GoldRecommended

Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5), multi-constellation

Location & track
Speed & course
  • Tracks and 3D replays
  • Tack and gybe detection
  • Top and average speed
  • Penalty turns

A second GPS frequency filters out signals bouncing off the water and sails. Our most accurate stats.

SilverGood

Single-frequency GPS (L1), multi-constellation

Location & track
Speed & course
  • Tracks and 3D replays
  • Tack and gybe detection
  • Top and average speed
  • Penalty turns

Works well for tracks and stats. No dual-frequency, so some data can bounce.

BronzeWorks

Single-frequency GPS (L1), launched 2020 or earlier

Location & track
Speed & course
  • Tracks and 3D replays
  • Tack and gybe detection
  • Course or data can jump
  • Battery and heat management can affect GPS data

The same GPS as Silver in an older device. Charge it fully, and keep it shaded on hot days.

Spec sheets can hide dual-frequency support, e.g. Pixel 4, S20. So for phones we check real-world L5 signal reports via the GPSTest database. For watches we use the maker’s specs.

The phone and watch chart

Keep your phone in a dry bag, pocket or halyard bag. It records just like a watch, and often better. You don’t need a watch for our app.

Gold
Apple
iPhone 18 Pro / Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro / Pro MaxiPhone AiriPhone 17iPhone 16 Pro / Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro / Pro MaxiPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
Google
Pixel 11 / Pro / Pro XLPixel 10 / Pro / Pro XLPixel 9 / Pro / Pro XLPixel 9 Pro FoldPixel FoldPixel 8 / 8 ProPixel 7 / 7 ProPixel 6 / 6 ProPixel 5Pixel 4 / 4 XL
Samsung
Galaxy S26 / S26+ / S26 UltraGalaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 UltraGalaxy S25 EdgeGalaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 UltraGalaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 UltraGalaxy S22+ / S22 UltraGalaxy S21+ / S21 UltraGalaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 UltraGalaxy Z Fold2 – Fold7Galaxy Z Flip5 – Flip7
Silver
Apple
iPhone 16 / PlusiPhone 16eiPhone 17eiPhone 15 / PlusiPhone 14 / PlusiPhone 13 / mini / Pro / Pro MaxiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Google
Pixel 10aPixel 9aPixel 8aPixel 7aPixel 6aPixel 5a
Samsung
Galaxy S22 (base model)Galaxy S21 (base model)Galaxy Z Flip3 / Flip4Galaxy A55 / A54 / A53
Bronze
Apple
iPhone 12 / mini / Pro / Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd gen)iPhone 11 / Pro / Pro MaxiPhone XS / XS Max / XR
Google
Pixel 4a / 4a 5GPixel 3 / 3 XL / 3aPixel 2 / 2 XLPixel (original)
Samsung
Galaxy Fold (2019)Galaxy S10 / S9 / S8Older A and J series

Phone or watch not listed? Look up its spec and check the GPS. If it says “dual-frequency” or “L1 + L5”, it’s Gold. If it only says L1, or just lists satellite networks like GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, it’s Silver, or Bronze if it launched in 2020 or earlier. Most recent flagship phones are Gold, but budget models often aren’t. Spec sheets often leave the frequencies out, so on Android the free GPSTest app is the surest check: if it shows L5 or E5a signals, it’s Gold.

Got a phone or watch? You’re ready.