GPS recommendation?

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies. I really haven't had much need for it but on one
accident it took about 45 minutes for the EMS to arrive because we
weren't sure where we were (roads often change names several times in
the are where I ride). I don't need the fancy bike gps with heart
rate, etc. Just the route map that tells me where I am with road name
information. I'll probably like to take advantage of the mapping
capability if the model has it.

Thanks

Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911. So, you
might already have something that can be used for emergencies.

--
Bob in CT

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies. I really haven't had much need for it but on one
accident it took about 45 minutes for the EMS to arrive because we
weren't sure where we were (roads often change names several times in
the are where I ride). I don't need the fancy bike gps with heart
rate, etc. Just the route map that tells me where I am with road name
information. I'll probably like to take advantage of the mapping
capability if the model has it.

I use a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx for this. You'll probably have to order
the handlebar mount from Garmin, but it does maps, can auto-record your
ride as a GPX track while you ride [1], and can store waypoints and
routes from Garmin's MapSource software. I replaced my cyclocomputer
with this after it died, and I'm quite happy with my choice.

[1] Accessible via USB as .gpx files. I store these so I can review my
more interesting rides later on, or ship them to GPS-enabled friends.

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ [email hidden]
(_)/ (_)

Neil Cherry wrote:
:: I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
:: together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
:: emergencies. I really haven't had much need for it but on one
:: accident it took about 45 minutes for the EMS to arrive because we
:: weren't sure where we were (roads often change names several times in
:: the are where I ride). I don't need the fancy bike gps with heart
:: rate, etc. Just the route map that tells me where I am with road name
:: information. I'll probably like to take advantage of the mapping
:: capability if the model has it.

If you already have, or can get on your plan, a motorola Q smartphone, then
you can get this:

http://store.everythingq.com/content/accessories/10-41--1929-2.htm.

Load your maps on a 2 GB miniSD card and use your Q and garmin when you need
to determine location.

Bob in CT said:

Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911. So,
you might already have something that can be used for emergencies.

--Bob in CT

Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you are a
"Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your pocket and with
no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even listen in. The weed
mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here more than you think.
Bill Baka

Bill said:

Bob in CT said:

Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911. So,
you might already have something that can be used for emergencies.
--Bob in CT

Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you are a
"Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your pocket and with
no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even listen in. The weed
mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here more than you think.
Bill Baka

I know. That sucks, too, I must say. We need someone to develop an
anti-on device that won't allow this to happen.

--
Bob in CT

Bob in CT said:

Bill said:

Bob in CT said:

Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911.
So, you might already have something that can be used for emergencies.
--Bob in CT

Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you are a
"Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your pocket and
with no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even listen in. The
weed mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here more than you think.
Bill Baka

I know. That sucks, too, I must say. We need someone to develop an
anti-on device that won't allow this to happen.

--Bob in CT

Since I read this in an electronics magazine and saw an on line video
about the situation, they both said that about the only way to prevent
that is to remove the batteries, thus wiping your personal settings.
I know this sounds like a propeller cap solution but wrapping it in tin
foil just might make the signal to weak for that to happen. My wife
keeps asking why I keep my 2000 vintage phone, and this is the reason.
If I ever ride so far out that I get lost enough to need GPS then I will
just navigate by the sun and/or stars/moon.
Maybe I could manufacture Mu-metal (shields from magnets and radio)
holders for people who don't want to be tracked or spied on.
I doubt this would have happened if the election in 2000 had gone
properly, but there was Floriduh and brother Jeb, sigh.
Bill Baka

Kristian M Zoerhoff said:

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies.

Quoted message said:

I use a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx for this. You'll probably have to order
the handlebar mount from Garmin, but it does maps, can auto-record your
ride as a GPX track while you ride [1], and can store waypoints and
routes from Garmin's MapSource software. I replaced my cyclocomputer
with this after it died, and I'm quite happy with my choice.

I agree that the LegendCx is a good choice, or the very similar
VistaCx if you want some additional altitude-related features. To get
detailed maps on these you'd need to add the optional CityNavigator
software (North American version if you need the US and/or Canada)
since the included basemap is very coarse and won't cover most roads
you'd want to use for cycling. Another option from Garmin is the
Quest which includes the CityNavigator software and can therefore end
up costing a little less overall (I got mine for about $240 from
Amazon). Optional handlebar mounts are available for all of these
models. [Note that despite the name, CityNavigator maps cover minor
rural roads very well in addition to city and residential streets.]

Any of the above are also very useful when used with the CityNav. maps
while driving. Enter an address or business location (by name or
type), and it'll determine a turn-by-turn route to get there and alert
you prior to each turn. You can specify whether you're in a car,
bicycle, walking, etc. so it'll pick an appropriate route (e.g. avoid
freeways when cycling, allow wrong-way travel when walking). I've
found it very handy on a bicycle tour to know where the nearest
restaurants, grocery stores, cycle shops, motels, etc. are located -
and phone numbers are listed so you can call ahead for reservations or
more info when needed.

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies.

I got a Garmin Vista CX and think it is tremendous. I didn't want a
training aid, but a way to keep me from getting lost, and this is it.
Rugged (supposedly good to something like 30m under water, though it
probably would not receive a signal down there), and the maps come with
unbelievable amounts of information. Sometimes it loses touch with the
satellites, but they all have this problem with a lot of trees or in
downtown NYC.

Not the cheapest one, and it doesn't talk to you (thank God), but has
all the features you need for route planning, finding a store in the
middle of freaking nowhere, or just figuring out where you are. Does
stuff like track your route, but I don't think that's so cool. If you
get a cue sheet ahead of time you can program in all the turns, which is
nice.

Only downside is that in order to get the best computer interface you
have to use some proprietary o/s from Redmond, which means for me I have
to borrow someone else's computer. PITA, but eventually I will figure
out a way. I can at least download routes to it from linux.

--

David L. Johnson

Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig...
You soon find out the pig likes it!

Bill wrote:
:: Bob in CT wrote:
::: On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:35:15 -0400, Bill <[email hidden]> wrote:
:::
:::: Bob in CT wrote:
::::: Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911.
::::: So, you might already have something that can be used for
::::: emergencies. --Bob in CT
::::
:::: Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you
:::: are a "Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your
:::: pocket and with no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even
:::: listen in. The weed mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here
:::: more than you think. Bill Baka
:::
::: I know. That sucks, too, I must say. We need someone to develop an
::: anti-on device that won't allow this to happen.
:::
::: --Bob in CT
::
:: Since I read this in an electronics magazine and saw an on line video
:: about the situation, they both said that about the only way to
:: prevent that is to remove the batteries, thus wiping your personal
:: settings.

:: I know this sounds like a propeller cap solution but wrapping it in
:: tin foil just might make the signal to weak for that to happen.

Sure it will.

My
:: wife keeps asking why I keep my 2000 vintage phone, and this is the
:: reason. If I ever ride so far out that I get lost enough to need GPS
:: then I will just navigate by the sun and/or stars/moon.
:: Maybe I could manufacture Mu-metal (shields from magnets and radio)
:: holders for people who don't want to be tracked or spied on.
:: I doubt this would have happened if the election in 2000 had gone
:: properly, but there was Floriduh and brother Jeb, sigh.
:: Bill Baka

You don't really think they want to track you on your bike, do you?

Roger Zoul said:

Bill wrote:
:: Bob in CT wrote:
::: On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:35:15 -0400, Bill <[email hidden]> wrote:
:::
:::: Bob in CT wrote:
::::: Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911.
::::: So, you might already have something that can be used for
::::: emergencies. --Bob in CT
::::
:::: Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you
:::: are a "Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your
:::: pocket and with no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even
:::: listen in. The weed mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here
:::: more than you think. Bill Baka
:::
::: I know. That sucks, too, I must say. We need someone to develop an
::: anti-on device that won't allow this to happen.
:::
::: --Bob in CT
::
:: Since I read this in an electronics magazine and saw an on line video
:: about the situation, they both said that about the only way to
:: prevent that is to remove the batteries, thus wiping your personal
:: settings.

:: I know this sounds like a propeller cap solution but wrapping it in
:: tin foil just might make the signal to weak for that to happen.

Sure it will.

My
:: wife keeps asking why I keep my 2000 vintage phone, and this is the
:: reason. If I ever ride so far out that I get lost enough to need GPS
:: then I will just navigate by the sun and/or stars/moon.
:: Maybe I could manufacture Mu-metal (shields from magnets and radio)
:: holders for people who don't want to be tracked or spied on.
:: I doubt this would have happened if the election in 2000 had gone
:: properly, but there was Floriduh and brother Jeb, sigh.
:: Bill Baka

You don't really think they want to track you on your bike, do you?

For my part, I am already a "Person of interest" since being detained
for taking pictures of airplanes at Beale AFB from a public road.
The Goons in suits held me up for about 15 minutes to run all kinds of
checks on me and wait for a County sheriff's deputy to take me and my
bike back to my front door. That was not my idea of a 'friendly' Big
Brother.
Hence I hang on to my pre-9/11 phone with no games, text, video, but
just a basic phone.
This government is not your friend, and if we get another Repuglican you
can be sure the 1984 scenario will become even more so than it is today.
Bill Baka

Bill said:

Bob in CT said:

Most new cell phones will send GPS information when you dial 911. So,
you might already have something that can be used for emergencies.

Quoted message said:

--Bob in CT

Unfortunately, those have been compromised by Herr Bush. If you are a
"Party of interest" they can turn on your phone, in your pocket and with
no ring to keep tabs of where you are and even listen in. The weed
mandated this after 9/11. Big brother is here more than you think.
Bill Baka

Don't believe everything you read in those blogs, Bill. "They" can't
turn your phone on remotely. Heck, we can't even "ping" newer phones.
To locate the phone it must be *in use*, regardless of how interesting
the owner may be. You're free to doubt this of course since I am in a
sense part of Big Brother. <g>

Regards,
Bob Hunt

Bob said:

Don't believe everything you read in those blogs, Bill. "They" can't
turn your phone on remotely. Heck, we can't even "ping" newer phones.
To locate the phone it must be *in use*, regardless of how interesting
the owner may be. You're free to doubt this of course since I am in a
sense part of Big Brother. <g>

Ever watch one of these super spy thrillers with a couple of network
guys, when someone opens up a notebook (with not so much as a downlink
card) and gets first a gigabit up and down, second immediate access to
an unauthorized network, and then perfect sound and video (never mind
that building security actually rarely looks at the same places that,
say, a burglar or super spy would want to look) - after the three of
you just spent the best part of a week trying to figure out why one PC
with complete network access won't connect properly to the Symantec
server.

Technology always works better in stories, movies, and cut scenes.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

Curtis L. Russell said:

Bob said:

Don't believe everything you read in those blogs, Bill. "They" can't
turn your phone on remotely. Heck, we can't even "ping" newer phones.
To locate the phone it must be *in use*, regardless of how interesting
the owner may be. You're free to doubt this of course since I am in a
sense part of Big Brother. <g>

Quoted message said:

Ever watch one of these super spy thrillers with a couple of network
guys, when someone opens up a notebook (with not so much as a downlink
card) and gets first a gigabit up and down, second immediate access to
an unauthorized network, and then perfect sound and video (never mind
that building security actually rarely looks at the same places that,
say, a burglar or super spy would want to look) - after the three of
you just spent the best part of a week trying to figure out why one PC
with complete network access won't connect properly to the Symantec
server.

Well duh, they're using HOS, that's why they don't have any the piddly
problems mortals such as you or I encounter.

Quoted message said:

Technology always works better in stories, movies, and cut scenes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_operating_system

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
Coronation, n.:
The ceremony of investing a sovereign with the outward and visible
signs of his divine right to be blown skyhigh with a dynamite bomb.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

Dane Buson said:

Well duh, they're using HOS, that's why they don't have any the piddly
problems mortals such as you or I encounter.

Quoted message said:

Technology always works better in stories, movies, and cut scenes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_operating_system

That was kind of humorous - it brings together details that occur to
me at one time or another and a few I haven't noticed. I did once run
into the 'taping a monitor' problem once when we were doing a in-house
network taping and it was annoying as hell - and completely illegible.
Similar to what old flourescent lights and old-style color monitors
could do when combined.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

Curtis L. Russell said:

Dane Buson said:

Well duh, they're using HOS, that's why they don't have any the piddly
problems mortals such as you or I encounter.

Quoted message said:

Technology always works better in stories, movies, and cut scenes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_operating_system

That was kind of humorous - it brings together details that occur to
me at one time or another and a few I haven't noticed. I did once run
into the 'taping a monitor' problem once when we were doing a in-house
network taping and it was annoying as hell - and completely illegible.
Similar to what old flourescent lights and old-style color monitors
could do when combined.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

I liked that one. It does explain a lot about the industry. Can you
imagine a movie where the spy (or kid) can't type 125 WPM or makes
typos? Better yet, they can't guess the password in only 2 tries.
AAAAH, Hollywood.
Bill Baka

Curtis L. Russell said:

Bob said:

Don't believe everything you read in those blogs, Bill. "They" can't
turn your phone on remotely. Heck, we can't even "ping" newer phones.
To locate the phone it must be *in use*, regardless of how interesting
the owner may be. You're free to doubt this of course since I am in a
sense part of Big Brother. <g>

Ever watch one of these super spy thrillers with a couple of network
guys, when someone opens up a notebook (with not so much as a downlink
card) and gets first a gigabit up and down, second immediate access to
an unauthorized network, and then perfect sound and video (never mind
that building security actually rarely looks at the same places that,
say, a burglar or super spy would want to look) - after the three of
you just spent the best part of a week trying to figure out why one PC
with complete network access won't connect properly to the Symantec
server.

Technology always works better in stories, movies, and cut scenes.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

Hah!
The Symantec server is busy. I hear you on the movie or television thing
though. And they burn that gigabyte of data to one floppy in about 5
seconds.
Must be nice having those spy toys.
Bill Baka

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies.

I got a Garmin Vista CX and think it is tremendous. I didn't want a
training aid, but a way to keep me from getting lost, and this is it.
Rugged (supposedly good to something like 30m under water, though it
probably would not receive a signal down there), and the maps come
with unbelievable amounts of information. Sometimes it loses touch
with the satellites, but they all have this problem with a lot of
trees or in downtown NYC.

Not the cheapest one, and it doesn't talk to you (thank God), but has
all the features you need for route planning, finding a store in the
middle of freaking nowhere, or just figuring out where you are. Does
stuff like track your route, but I don't think that's so cool. If you
get a cue sheet ahead of time you can program in all the turns, which
is nice.

Only downside is that in order to get the best computer interface you
have to use some proprietary o/s from Redmond, which means for me I
have to borrow someone else's computer. PITA, but eventually I will
figure out a way. I can at least download routes to it from linux.

-------
Neil:
I also have a Garmin Vista CX for my bike.
The specs say it is water resistant for submersion in one meter of water
for thirty minutes (not 30 meters). It uses Micro SD memory expansion
cards and is supplied with a either a 32 or 64meg card (can't remember
which). I put a 1G card in mine and I am able to put most on the
Southwest on the card using less than 256M.

I have the Garmin mapping software and the mapping goes down to the
detail level of the 4X4 dirt roads found in the desert. If you use it
for navigating to a GPS coordinate in a remote area, using the "follow
road" selection, these will be marked as unnamed road so the navigation
will tell you "turn right at unnamed road, turn left at unnamed road,
etc."

I usually commute by bike so I use it almost daily to track my
statistics including total ascent, total descent, average moving speed,
etc.
--------
David:
As for running the Garmin mapping software under Linux have you looked
at the Wine project?

en.wikipedia.orgWine (software)Open ↗

I am a Linux newbie but I have seen Wine referenced as a way to
execute windows based programs on a Linux platform, maybe it will work
for you. I'm still working out the Linux basics so I don't want to
fiddle around with this quite yet.

Richard B.

Richard B said:

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Neil Cherry said:

I'm preparing for another cycling season and need to get my kit
together. I'd like to get a GPS to let me know where I am for
emergencies.

I got a Garmin Vista CX and think it is tremendous. I didn't want a
training aid, but a way to keep me from getting lost, and this is it.
Rugged (supposedly good to something like 30m under water, though it
probably would not receive a signal down there), and the maps come
with unbelievable amounts of information. Sometimes it loses touch
with the satellites, but they all have this problem with a lot of
trees or in downtown NYC.

Not the cheapest one, and it doesn't talk to you (thank God), but has
all the features you need for route planning, finding a store in the
middle of freaking nowhere, or just figuring out where you are. Does
stuff like track your route, but I don't think that's so cool. If you
get a cue sheet ahead of time you can program in all the turns, which
is nice.

Only downside is that in order to get the best computer interface you
have to use some proprietary o/s from Redmond, which means for me I
have to borrow someone else's computer. PITA, but eventually I will
figure out a way. I can at least download routes to it from linux.

-------
Neil:
I also have a Garmin Vista CX for my bike.
The specs say it is water resistant for submersion in one meter of water
for thirty minutes (not 30 meters). It uses Micro SD memory expansion
cards and is supplied with a either a 32 or 64meg card (can't remember
which). I put a 1G card in mine and I am able to put most on the
Southwest on the card using less than 256M.

I have the Garmin mapping software and the mapping goes down to the
detail level of the 4X4 dirt roads found in the desert. If you use it
for navigating to a GPS coordinate in a remote area, using the "follow
road" selection, these will be marked as unnamed road so the navigation
will tell you "turn right at unnamed road, turn left at unnamed road,
etc."

I usually commute by bike so I use it almost daily to track my
statistics including total ascent, total descent, average moving speed,
etc.
--------
David:
As for running the Garmin mapping software under Linux have you looked
at the Wine project?

en.wikipedia.orgWine (software)Open ↗

I am a Linux newbie but I have seen Wine referenced as a way to
execute windows based programs on a Linux platform, maybe it will work
for you. I'm still working out the Linux basics so I don't want to
fiddle around with this quite yet.

Richard B.

Do you know if you can program in a route? For instance, if you have a 60
mile ride, could you program in the turns you'll take?

--
Bob in CT

Bob in CT said:

Do you know if you can program in a route? For instance, if you have a 60
mile ride, could you program in the turns you'll take?

Yes, you can. I do my routes in MapSource, then download them to the eTrex,
but you can do routes on the device itself as well, with some limitations
on route complexity (presumably due to the mimited memory and CPU on the
unit).

I'm actually planning a 60+ mile ride myself for the unit, to be used early
this summer.

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ [email hidden]
(_)/ (_)