GPS reccomendations

MattB said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad? I think our needs
would be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the
fact, or selecting a route beforehand based on topo
information and having the gps "guide" me on my
selected route. A handlebar mount may be nice, but
just having it in my pack would also be acceptable
(and safer). I would also occasionally use it for
navigation on road trips, but that would be a
secondary use. I mostly want to use it on rides. A
color screen isn't important, but easy readability and
use is. Suggestions? Things to stay away from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but I
want the opinions of strangers I kind of know or share
interests with).

We have a garmin extrex summit and it's a fun little tool.
It works fine in the mesh pocket of a pack. The only trouble
we've ever had making a track is under deep tree cover. We
use it to make maps and trails - making junctions,
waypoints, the trail and other notes. I then upload the info
into TOPO CD software to make maps.

We'll also take info off the software - same thing, make
notes, way points and junction and load them into the GPS.

I can provide sample maps on request ( post them to the web)

We chose the model w/o the 24 mb's of memory.. who needs to
up load a color map?

penny

MattB said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad? I think our needs
would be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the
fact, or selecting a route beforehand based on topo
information and having the gps "guide" me on my
selected route. A handlebar mount may be nice, but
just having it in my pack would also be acceptable
(and safer). I would also occasionally use it for
navigation on road trips, but that would be a
secondary use. I mostly want to use it on rides. A
color screen isn't important, but easy readability and
use is. Suggestions? Things to stay away from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but I
want the opinions of strangers I kind of know or share
interests with).

Don't buy a Garmin. I've had a 12 CX for years. Used it a
lot (in gliders). Damn thing won't break so I can buy a new
spiffy one! :-) The color display on mine really only gives
me lower contrast in bright sun. Check what ever you buy
outside before committing. Never used it on the trail, so I
can't help there. For riding, I'd want elevation recorded.
Mine shows current altitude, but doesn't recored. Now that
selective availability is off (or did W change that?), GPS
alt is more accurate than pressure (typically).

Cheers, Shawn

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:55:27 -0700, "MattB" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around before,
but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad?

I've owned all of the following, all by Garmin:

GPS II GPS II+ GPS III+ eMap eTrex Vista GPSMAP 196

and now a 60CS.

The 60CS is by far the best unit I've used on a bicycle.

Check out feature comparisons @ <http://www.garmin.com>

Magellan makes some nice units as well, but I don't have
much experience with them.

You can only load maps from the same manufacturer into any
current GPS. For example, Garmin units can only accept
Garmin maps. All GPS units will talk to programs like
Topo!, Topo USA, Delorme Street Atlas, or Microsoft Streets
and Trips.

These guys have a great GPS site, with literally too much
information: <http://www.gpsinformation.net/>

Check out <http://www.tvnav.com> for some excellent
prices. His web page looks like a 10 year old made it, but
I've bought 5 GPS units from him at great prices with
excellent service.

Have fun, Barry

Shawn Curry said:

The color display on mine really only gives me lower
contrast in bright sun. Check what ever you buy outside
before committing.

The newer displays on the 60 series are exponentially
better.

Barry

Garmin: eTrex Legend

--
--
John G. in Memphis, TN Have a nice......... night.
shavings.netreflect john.jpgOpen ↗

"MattB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad? I think our needs
would be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the
fact, or selecting a

route

Quoted message said:

beforehand based on topo information and having the gps
"guide" me on my selected route. A handlebar mount may be
nice, but just having it in my

pack

Quoted message said:

would also be acceptable (and safer). I would also
occasionally use it for navigation on road trips, but

that

Quoted message said:

would be a secondary use. I mostly want to use it on
rides. A color screen isn't important, but easy
readability and use is. Suggestions? Things to stay away
from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but I
want the

opinions

Quoted message said:

of strangers I kind of know or share interests with).

I've had a Geko 201 for about a year. I enjoy it but the
Geko line may not suit your needs as they don't have maps. I
just use mine for making maps after the fact, and it does
that quite well. You can upload routes and waypoints and
have it guide in that way but there won't be a map, just a
line and waypoints. I've done that a few times but only to
see how it worked and it was easy to use. I wouldn't depend
on it for navigating in an unknown area. The Geko is very
easy to use, one handed operation. If you do get a Geko make
sure it's a 201 or 301, the 101 has no pc connectivity which
makes it useless for your needs. The thing is tiny, it's
about 2"x5" and about an inch deep, about the size of a
small cell phone. I just throw it in the mesh pocket on the
camelbak and it works fine. It's got a WAAS feature which
supposedly increases reliability by using land based
transmitters to help positioning. I've mostly been pleased
with the accuracy of the tracking. It can mark 10,000 track
points so you'll have enough for any kind of ride.

Chris

"MattB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad? I think our needs
would be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the
fact, or selecting a

route

Quoted message said:

beforehand based on topo information and having the gps
"guide" me on my selected route. A handlebar mount may be
nice, but just having it in my

pack

Quoted message said:

would also be acceptable (and safer). I would also
occasionally use it for navigation on road trips, but

that

Quoted message said:

would be a secondary use. I mostly want to use it on
rides. A color screen isn't important, but easy
readability and use is. Suggestions? Things to stay away
from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but I
want the

opinions

Quoted message said:

of strangers I kind of know or share interests with).

I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum. I like it very much. I
have dropped it hard (on accident of course) and it did no
damage, and it is submersible (Magellan doesn't say how
deep), but that means it will keep the rain, and trail mess
out. there is a bike mount available, but IIRC, it is priced
what I think to be a little steep for a chunk of molded
plastic. it lists on magellangps.com for $39.95 (maybe
that's average for a bike mount).

This GPS (like several others too) can load maps from a CD.
depending on what CD you buy is what you get for maps. I
have the topo disk, and it shows contour lines, most rivers
and streams, and most of the roads. it even shows some 4WD
roads. it has address searching and a listing of points of
interest. I can't say what the other disks have as I have
not used them. but I am able to use the topo one for streets
just fine. mainly due to my inherent navigation skills. I
think the Dirrect Route disk is supposed to provide turn by
turn directions.

the MapSend software (topo, direct route, etc) allows you to
print nicely detailed maps (as good as what is on the
screen, assuming your printer is), and you can easily create
routes and upload them to the gps unit (it is actually
easier on the computer). as well as edit routes and
waypoints. you can also download track information and use
it to print a trail map. or you can "play" the track in
simulated real-time (only as accurate as the information
saved at each track).

one of the useless things this gps has, is a magnetic
compass. I say useless, only because I haven't used it yet.
while in a car, it does a great job of telling you where
your engine (or transmition, if the engine is alum)
is. I haven't tried it on a bar mount while riding a steel
framed bike as the trails have not yet opened up, and I
don't yet have a bar mount.

one point of note. I tested this GPS along-side my cousin's
Garmen (not sure what model) for satellite acquisition.
mine was ready for use about 4 seconds faster (with a 3d
fix). and when it had finished acquiring all that can be,
it had more satellites being tracked than the Garmen did.
my best guess is that this would provide a more stable
transition when moving through satellites. I do know, when
in a car, if it is not by a window, or under the
windshield, it gets a pretty big (IMO) position error. my
best estimate once was about 30 feet from where I was
supposed to be. this is with the gps sitting on the
passenger seat of my car. As best as my experience can tell
me, the "special" antenna used in this gps does provide
better acquisition. I can't compare during travel in a car
as I did not have access to another unit.

now, I'm sure you will pick something else, as IME my
salesmanship is pretty damn poor. ;-) I received this unit
as a gift so I don't know the cost (it was from several
relatives so I hesitate to say it was a bargain).

~Travis

"Merlin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"MattB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding
a GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have

strong

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

feelings about a particular GPS unit, good or bad? I
think our needs

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the fact,
or selecting a

route

Quoted message said:

beforehand based on topo information and having the gps
"guide" me on my selected route. A handlebar mount may
be nice, but just having it in my

pack

Quoted message said:

would also be acceptable (and safer). I would also
occasionally use it for navigation on road trips, but

that

Quoted message said:

would be a secondary use. I mostly want to use it on
rides. A color

screen

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

isn't important, but easy readability and use is.
Suggestions? Things to stay away from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but
I want the

opinions

Quoted message said:

of strangers I kind of know or share interests with).

I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum. I like it very much.
I have dropped it hard (on accident of course) and it did
no damage, and

it

Quoted message said:

is submersible (Magellan doesn't say how deep), but that
means it will

keep

Quoted message said:

the rain, and trail mess out. there is a bike mount
available, but IIRC,

it

Quoted message said:

is priced what I think to be a little steep for a chunk of
molded plastic. it lists on magellangps.com for $39.95
(maybe that's average for a bike mount).

This GPS (like several others too) can load maps from a
CD. depending on what CD you buy is what you get for maps.
I have the topo disk, and it

shows

Quoted message said:

contour lines, most rivers and streams, and most of the
roads. it even

shows

Quoted message said:

some 4WD roads. it has address searching and a listing of
points of interest. I can't say what the other disks have
as I have not used them.

but

Quoted message said:

I am able to use the topo one for streets just fine.
mainly due to my inherent navigation skills. I think the
Dirrect Route disk is supposed to provide turn by turn
directions.

the MapSend software (topo, direct route, etc) allows you
to print nicely detailed maps (as good as what is on the
screen, assuming your printer

is),

Quoted message said:

and you can easily create routes and upload them to the
gps unit (it is actually easier on the computer). as well
as edit routes and waypoints.

you

Quoted message said:

can also download track information and use it to print a
trail map. or

you

Quoted message said:

can "play" the track in simulated real-time (only as
accurate as the information saved at each track).

one of the useless things this gps has, is a magnetic
compass. I say useless, only because I haven't used it
yet. while in a car, it does a

great

Quoted message said:

job of telling you where your engine (or transmition, if
the engine is

alum)

Quoted message said:

is. I haven't tried it on a bar mount while riding a steel
framed bike as the trails have not yet opened up, and
I don't yet have a bar mount.

one point of note. I tested this GPS along-side my
cousin's Garmen (not

sure

Quoted message said:

what model) for satellite acquisition. mine was ready for
use about 4 seconds faster (with a 3d fix). and when it
had finished acquiring all

that

Quoted message said:

can be, it had more satellites being tracked than the
Garmen did. my best guess is that this would provide a
more stable transition when moving through satellites. I
do know, when in a car, if it is not by a window, or under
the windshield, it gets a pretty big (IMO) position error.
my best estimate once was about 30 feet from where I was
supposed to be. this is with the gps sitting on the
passenger seat of my car. As best as my experience can
tell me, the "special" antenna used in this

gps

Quoted message said:

does provide better acquisition. I can't compare during
travel in a car as

I

Quoted message said:

did not have access to another unit.

now, I'm sure you will pick something else, as IME my
salesmanship is

pretty

Quoted message said:

damn poor. ;-) I received this unit as a gift so I don't
know the cost (it was from

several

Quoted message said:

relatives so I hesitate to say it was a bargain).

~Travis

almost forgot. the memory for maps is via SD cards. so you
can put in only what you need. I have a 64 meg chip (came
with the gift) and it is more than enough. a topo map for
the entire state of Maine is only 10Mb. so I have the entire
state in there, and plenty of room for other maps. I also
save all my waypoints/routes/tracks to the SD card so I can
bring them up later. for instance, I am collecting waypoints
for gas stations in all the areas I go. if only it could
track the current prices too. ;-)

~Travis

MattB said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around
before, but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad? I think our needs
would be similar here, wanting to plot rides after the
fact, or selecting a route beforehand based on topo
information and having the gps "guide" me on my
selected route. A handlebar mount may be nice, but
just having it in my pack would also be acceptable
(and safer). I would also occasionally use it for
navigation on road trips, but that would be a
secondary use. I mostly want to use it on rides. A
color screen isn't important, but easy readability and
use is. Suggestions? Things to stay away from? Thanks.

Matt (yes I know there are GPS-specific newsgroups, but I
want the opinions of strangers I kind of know or share
interests with).

Thanks for all the info everyone.

I mentioned this to a coworker who is a gadget junkie on an
even greater scale than I am. He's got a Garmin ETrex-
something and has offered to loan it to me. For the whole
summer (!). So if this one is good enough, I'll play with it
as much as possible and then I'll really know what I'm
looking for when I'm ready to make a purchase. I've got a
couple of topo packages that I think will map the data for
me, so I'm looking forward to playing with it a bit.
Unfortunately I'm working quite a bit and haven't had a
chnace to ride or play in a week or so (worked 16 Hrs
yesterday). I'll have some comp (trail!) time coming along
when this project is behind me...

Matt

MattB said:

Being the gadget junkie I am, I'm considering adding a
GPS to the arsenal. I know this has come around before,
but do any of you have strong feelings about a
particular GPS unit, good or bad?

I quite like my etrex legend. I use memory map on the PC and
on my PDA for route planning on OS maps.
--
Paul Matthews [email hidden] hepcats.co.ukhepcats.co.ukOpen ↗