|
|
|
posted by: Outdoors_Rex
email this member
|
|
Posted Tuesday, Mar 2 at 2:38 PM
Tue, Mar 2 at 02:38 PM
|
Hi,
Sorry about the previous message, hit enter before submitting text.
I want to purchase a GPS. Does anyone have any feedback or recommendations?!
Thanks
|
|
|
|
There are 4 replies to this message.
|
 |
trailpeak email this member | | Posted Wednesday, Mar 3 at 11:09 AM
Wed, Mar 3 at 11:09 AM | In the course I teach, I show people how to use 'basic' GPS features with the little yellow $150 GARMIN GPS, which, is perfectly adequate.
You can upload/download to the computer with it, you can use it with a compass as it gives 'bearing' in degrees once you've selected a GOTO waypoint. This is handy!
It will record a whole day's worth of hiking or biking, and all GPS save the data while you change batteries.
What you pay for in more expensive models (not so much GPS reception, most are 12 channel), are things like digital compass, better basemaps, more memory, WAAS (not enabled here), and other nice to haves.
But you are far better to learn the essentials of topo map reading (e.g. UTM co-ordinates), compass, and GPS. Learn the limitations of any device you use, even compass. And practice.
If you practice (maybe uploading or downloading trail data from trailpeak, and use it to find a trail), then you'll be in good shape should you ever face an emergency.
Of course the basic use of GPS in an emergency is simply, get your position co-ordinates and plot that on a topo map to know where you are, is key! But you also might want to set a waypoint in memory for your next destination (or maybe the car you marked when you started), and, hit GOTO, then, together with your compass, keep correcting your direction as you walk back to target.
Does a $150 etrex accomplish this, yes! As for GECKO, I had BAD experiences with a whole batch I used when teaching a college group, 3 out of 6 just packed up or locked up, but to date, no problems with etrex.
Of course, etrex models do not have external antennae, which boosts signal 20-30% under tree cover, and is handy as you can mount the small antennae on your helmet (when biking) for optimal reception!. But antennae either (for GARMIN) comes from old 12XL or 12CX models, or, the newer more expensive GPS76 etc. Then you are looking at $400 to $500. Necessary?
I love my old 12CX with antennae, look for one used if you want antennae. Then visit pfranc.com to make a PC cable, and you are off to the races! |
|
|
|
Outdoors_Rex email this member | | Posted Monday, Jan 10 at 2:45 PM
Mon, Jan 10 at 02:45 PM | Thank you for the feedback.
I went with the Etrex as that is what our SAR group uses and it is perfect.
We are putting together some people to come down and take the GPS Course.
Thanks |
|
|
|
vpigeon ( Vincent Pigeon ) email this member | | Posted Sunday, Mar 16 at 2:34 PM
Sun, Mar 16 at 02:34 PM | Don't bother getting an inexpensive one. It's probably old technology and will cause more disappointments than it's worth. I first got a Garmin Etrex Legend in summer 2004. Original cost was $250, you can now get a new one on eBay for $100. Main problem is that the antenna is poor, and you easlily lose reception under a few trees or on a narrow road (ie, in a canyon type situation). I now use it only for cycling.
In summer 2006, I upgraded to a Garmin Map60CSx. A great machine, I've never lost reception, even in the densest forest area. It has a bigger screen, in colour, uses approx 1/2 battery life as Legend, has much faster USB connection (as opposed to serial), has 64 mg of memory, and you can buy a huge card (I got a 2 gig card) for approx $30, and upload your Garmin Mapsource maps to it, giving you contours, etc... It's now selling for approx $400 in Canada, so worth saving up a bit more $$ and getting the real thing. The Map76 is the same, but floats, so if you plan to use it over water, spend the xtra $50 for the 76.
Vincent Pigeon |
|
|
 |
ChrisO email this member | | Posted Sunday, Mar 16 at 3:09 PM
Sun, Mar 16 at 03:09 PM | | vpigeon, I use the same GPS and also love it. Big improvement on the older technology. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
