gps systems

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andrew7978

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
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I never really see any talk of gps units on here. Do any of you use them, and if so, which ones do you like?

My personal view is that it is a good backup, but if at all possible I try to use natural navigation skills to get me to my destination. I have a very old model so it doesn't work that well anyway. I may look into updating that soon.
 
I had a Magellan Xplorist 100 that broke. I'd never buy another their customer service blew.

However I really like them.


I was on this unofficial trail in the Mon and I knew the general way but not the turnoffs and stuff. Some friends gave me the waypoints for all the turns and stuff and using the GPS I easily found my way.

Also another thing I liked mine for was I had bookmarked all the springs and campsites on trails I went on so you could kind of decide when to fill up and when to stop.

I miss mine but I've gone since a lot without one using a topo and compass and done fine. It's really hilly most places I hike so if I got a topo it's hard to get lost because if you start changing elevation you either know you are on the right or wrong place.
 
Been using my Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx for two years now, mainly for geocaching, but also for general outdoor activity (hiking, canoeing, fishing) and when travelling.

I find the 60Cx model to offer the best compromise of every aspects you look into for a portable navigation unit...

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The weak point about mine was I had no way of downloading the data into a computer. So when my GPS died and the company gave me the runaround fixing it all the stuff I put into it was lost:barf:
 
My Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx is PHENOMINAL!!! I can't say enough great things about it!

My only minor gripe is that it doesn't display the current temperature. From what I've read it knows it internally, but doesn't display it.

Just like every other outdoor user of Garmins I wish 24K maps were available at reasonable pricing, but 'till then I love them.

By the way, my favorite GPS-related product is http://www.geobuddy.com software. For just $35 (limited time holiday special!!) you get on-line 24K USGS topo maps, aereal photos, high-res photos of major cities, and great tools for creating, storing, & managing waypoints, routes, and tracks, plus some really nice tools for geocachers that won't get in your way if you don't geocache. Its great for planning all sorts of trips and activities. I use it all the time!!
 
+1 for the Garmin 60Cx

I've had mine for 2 yrs now and love it. Its prolly the most useful thing I own. I mostly use mine in the car for turn by turn directions but also use it to measure distances and times on my bike rides and occasionally on hikes and such. The only drawback to it is the battery life, 18 hrs or so.
 
+++for the Garmin 60CSx, I use it in my car when I am traveling to different cities, I have a mount for my motorcycle when I do road trips, use it on larger lakes when fishing to mark good fishing spots and find homebase, and also hiking in the woods, so for a portable weather proof GPS, you can't beat it.
 
Wow people lots of you are using the 60cx. Well im part of the club. I own one as well. I use it mostly for Geocaching. When i go backpacking i set my route on it. I also use a NG topo map that i would print. On backpacking trips i would turn on the gps once in a while check my location, also make a mark on the map. This way i got a back up. If you turn on the GPS once every 30-45 min to get your location a pair of batterys would last for the all trip and then some. HD with the 60cx you can down load to the PC and back you can also down load to the NG topo and from the topo to the GPS. I think its part of outdoors gear they are mostly trouble free and you can rely on them.

sasha
 
sasha said:
I also use a NG topo map that i would print. On backpacking trips i would turn on the gps once in a while check my location, also make a mark on the map. This way i got a back up. If you turn on the GPS once every 30-45 min to get your location a pair of batterys would last for the all trip and then some.
Click to expand...

This is the way for using your GPS. The last thing you want it to be walking through the woods, with your head buried in a GPS screen, not paying attention to what is going on. Although mine does have all the fancy downloaded topo maps, it is NOT needed at all and I really regret not just sticking with my older model.

The reason is, trying to zoom in and out on those topos screens is way too time consuming when trying to get a general feel for the area. I use printed out USGS maps from Maptech's program. You can zoom in for real detail, but you also get the overall feel of the area very easy.

Here is basically how I use my GPS, even for Geocaching:
- Mark your starting point/camp/destintation, etc.
- Once ready to find it, fire up the GPS and do a "goto"
- I have mine set up to show the bearing to your active go to. Read the bearing.
- Turn off GPS.
- Shoot bearing with compass.
- Walk that direction for awhile, and then go through the process again to check bearing, and re-shoot your bearing with the compass until you are there.

No fancy features, maps, etc needed. Just the ability to mark points, and read bearings. The GPS is the back up, not the main tool.

Here is a really good read on using this type of method:

Backcountry Navigation
 
I must admit that before i mark my location on the map i use the GPS to get the location and using a ruler with proper scales i put my mark on the map. Thats also the time where i look around and make mental notes of the area. As you said the GPS tells you where you are. Using the map you can see where you are in relation to everything else. When geocaching I always carry atlist 2 more pairs of batteries and i make sure i recharge them the night before. But i leave the gps on all the time. It tells me how fast i walk and how far. Im trying to figure out how to down load all the trails from the GPS to the NG topo. I also try keep an avg speed of 3mph mo matter what terain im hiking.

Sasha
 
I had the cheap a$$ etrex that I bought when I graduated hi school. That thing sucks...large. I mostly use a map. The only time that thing is useful is for making duck hunting spots because it only gets a signal in the lake.
 
Garmin Streetpilot III Deluxe. Vintage but built like a tank and submersible. In the rankings of most useful technologies, GPS is Numero due for me.
1) Mobile Phone
2) GPS
3) Laptop with wireless access
4) Blood pressure monitor
5) Heart Rate monitor
6) PDA (obsolete)
7) Car
8) Bicycle
9) VHF/UHF Radio
10) FM/ Shortwave
11) Microwave Oven
12) ...you get the idea ;)
 
I got a Garmin GPSMap CSx for my birthday a few weeks ago and it is awesome! In the short amount of time I've been able to use it, it has never failed to get a signal. Be advised that if you are planning on using it in the city, the maps are a little expensive.
 
I've got 2, a Magellan Explorist 210 and a Garmin GPS2+ both good machines for what I use them for.

The Garmin aquires faster but lacks basic base maps, the 210 hangs onto a signal better, it even aquires in the house which the Garmin doesn't do, it also has built in basic base maps and you can customize the maps.

In the woods, off the beaten path I use the Garmin 'cause it's a more rugged basic unit,

In my car I use the Magellan because if I get lost I can always zoom out to where I recognize a major road and figure which way to go.

I mostly use the Magellan these days to mark where I find old cars or motorcycles while ridin' around in the countryside or good spots to eat.
 
Lowrance H2Oc. Never lets me down. When I did have problems Lowrance fixed it immediatly. No questions asked.
 
My GPS is a Garmin GPSMAP76S. If buying a new unit today, I'd want one of the models with USB connections and a memory card slot. I'd probably buy from the same GPSMAP series again, it's been a fantastic unit.

If buying a dedicated unit for backpacking, I'd buy one of the eTrex models. The screens are small, but the weight savings would be worth it.

Initially I chose Garmin because that's what everyone else at work had. I wanted to be able to share software and exchange data points with no hassles.

I use the GPS most often for geocaching. But when hiking, I like to collect random waypoints occasionally throughout the day, as well as anything of interest. Then when I get back home, it's easy to create a trip map of where I had been. I've never used a GPS for actual navigation... yet.
 
I have a Garmim E-Trex Vista Cx
I really like it alot
It's really small
I bought it because it had a barometric altimeter
I use it to analyze my data after a trip
I download the "data" to my PC and you can do all all kinds of stuff
I do the Geocaching stuff sometimes
It's a fun hobby for sure

The batteries seem to drain fast on my model
Other than that no complaints
It doesn't work in DEEP canyons though
I guess I have to get the "high sensitivity" model next :eek:
etrexvista02.jpg


etrexvista03.jpg


http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/02/dispatches_from.html
 
Wow, it looks like you're getting a little "burned" out on geocaching!

Speaking of which, for a long time I felt that getting an electronic compass in a GPS was a complete waste of time since a magnetic compass is more accurate and doesn't rely on batteries.

After getting my 60CSx (I figured the 'S' was only a few bucks more, so I got it) I've completely COMPLETELY changed my mind. It is sooo convenient to be able to stand still and have the GPS point to the cache. It made it so much easier that I ended up buying a Geko 301 (with an e-compass) for my son.

I tend to calibrate it often - its easy to do, and from current draw testing folks have done it really doesn't use any extra battery power.

I'll never buy a GPS without an electronic compass again.
 
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