Which GPS

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the
wonderful person jake <[email hidden]> said

Quoted message said:

In message <[email hidden]>, GSV Three
Minds in a Can <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the
wonderful person Dave Newton
<[email hidden]> said

Quoted message said:

> How does it cope with addresses which do not have a
> road reference in
them?

Not had to go to one of those as yet, Roger, but I
imagine it will cope poorly if at all. What have you in
mind? A farm or similar? I can simply type in a district
and street name or put a post code in and it will then
give me all the streets in that area to pick from but
ultimately you have to tell it a road or street. It let
me down for the first time today when it didn't know an
address on what looked like a new development, but then I
discovered the houses went up six years ago! That's the
first miss out of about forty addresses I've searched for
though so a very good hit rate.

Try "The Three Horseshoes, Wheathill, Bridgnorth". That's
one that usually gets the delivery drivers wandering
around Bridgnorth looking for a road called Wheathill. I
am sure you could do it (to the nearest mile either way)
given the postcode (WV16 6QT).

At the end of Dovehouse Lane?

Close, but no cigar. Much closer than most delivery
companies manage though. I've never seen a road sign for
Dovehouse Lane, although it is on www.streeetmap.co.uk at
max zoom in. The pub in question is actually at: SO 59967
81873, more or less. (The only pub for miles, and it
comes with a phone box, post box, and campsite, if that
helps ID it).

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can Outgoing Msgs are Turing Tested,and
indistinguishable from human typing.

Chris Malcolm <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

My guess is that you accidentally switched on the backlight
when powering up by holding it down for too long, or
pressing it twice. Just like those folk who switch on their
compasses on those which have them, don't realise it, and
don't know how to switch them off, and then moan to all the
newsgroups about how the compass eats up your batteries
horribly.

Ditto - Vista.
--
Gordon

In a recent message <[email hidden]>, GSV
Three Minds in a Can <[email hidden]> wrote.

[...]

Quoted message said:

Close, but no cigar. Much closer than most delivery
companies manage though. I've never seen a road sign for
Dovehouse Lane, although it is on www.streeetmap.co.uk at
max zoom in.

[...]

Just as a matter of interest, when I click on the Streetmap
link above it opens a load of junk pop-ups and rubbish from
a site in The Netherlands. Look at that URL again <g>.

Regards, Nick.

--
Nick Hopton and Anne Hopton Caversham, Reading, England
<[email hidden]

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the
wonderful person Nick Hopton <[email hidden]> said

Quoted message said:

In a recent message <[email hidden]>, GSV
Three Minds in a Can <[email hidden]> wrote.

[...]

Quoted message said:

Close, but no cigar. Much closer than most delivery
companies manage though. I've never seen a road sign for
Dovehouse Lane, although it is on www.streeetmap.co.uk at
max zoom in.

[...]

Just as a matter of interest, when I click on the Streetmap
link above it opens a load of junk pop-ups and rubbish from
a site in The Netherlands. Look at that URL again <g>.

Key bounce. 8>. Either that or we just have longer rooooads
around here.

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can Outgoing Msgs are Turing Tested,and
indistinguishable from human typing.

Paul Saunders said:

NC said:

For the UK and Europe, nobody offers a hand-held GPS with
mapping which has detail suitable for hillwalking, and
there is no software which allows download of maps to the
devices(*). The maps offered, even with makers add-on
software, are road maps only, showing roads as
approximate straight lines - fine for driving, possibly
useful for road cycling, but no help for walking. The
topographic maps featured on the makers websites and
advertising are USA only.

Your information is slightly out of date. Magellan have
just released Ordnance Survey topographic maps and Garmin
are due to release theirs soon. The latest 256 colour
mapping models are not cheap though.

Obviously they like to keep it secret, because I have just
looked at both company's websites after reading your other
posting. No obvious mention of the software.

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for 2mm.org.uk2mm.org.ukOpen ↗ Replies to
newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

Fran wrote on Sun, 20 Jun 2004 20:08:08 +0100....

Quoted message said:

Will we be seeing you sometime for a stroll in some of the
hills of south Wales, Mark? There's quite a contingent of
southWalians here now, what with Bill Grey and Paul
Sauders (Swansea), you in Cardiff and me in the Rhondda.
And there's someone else around somewhere too, I'm sure -
I just can't remember who for the moment.

Me? But I'm not in south Wales, just go walking there.

--
Tim Jackson [email hidden] (Change
'.invalid' to '.co.uk' to reply direct) Absurd patents:
visit patent.freeserve.co.ukpatent.freeserve.co.ukOpen ↗

Fran said:

Will we be seeing you sometime for a stroll in some of the
hills of south Wales, Mark? There's quite a contingent of
southWalians here now, what with Bill Grey and Paul Sauders
(Swansea), you in Cardiff and me in the Rhondda. And
there's someone else around somewhere too, I'm sure - I
just can't remember who for the moment.

I "stroll" fairly often, Fran, but a bit like Paul head for
the quieter parts of the Beacons. Haven't really got back
into the rhythm after my Everest Basecamp trek (and the
aftermath of a parasitic infection!).

Actually, I'm concentrating more on the photo side of things
- going on one of those "meets" that those groups organise -
Southerndown and Merthyr Mawr are in the frame (pun
intended!) at the moment

Mark . Mark Cavendish Cardiff, Wales

Fran said:

There's quite a contingent of southWalians here now, what
with Bill Grey and Paul Sauders (Swansea), you in Cardiff
and me in the Rhondda. And there's someone else around
somewhere too, I'm sure - I just can't remember who for
the moment.

Paul Cummings? I don't think he lives here but he visits a
lot. I think Ed Whittaker is based in Swansea University.

Paul
--
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photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

Kevin Hayes said:

It seems that Lowrance are bringing out the iFinder H2O
which is waterproof. Don't think it is available in the UK
at the moment?

lowrance.comiFINDERH2O.aspOpen ↗

Thanks for the heads up. Looks very interesting. Aside from
the waterproofness (which is nice but not usually vital),
the track capacity has been extended to a phenomenal 1
million trackpoints! Overkill perhaps, but you could be
pretty sure you'd never run out, even on the most extended
trips. Perhaps useful for three month expeditions into the
wilderness, or for recording all your car journeys as well
as your walks.

Another interesting feature is the map cards which are ready
loaded, so no need to use the MapCreate software to upload
map detail. You can simply buy a UK map card and plug it in,
but of course, there's no UK topo map available yet (there
is one for Canada). Anyone know if a Lowrance topo map of
the UK is planned?

Paul
--
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wildwales.fsnet.co.ukwildwales.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

NC said:

Obviously they like to keep it secret, because I have just
looked at both company's websites after reading your other
posting. No obvious mention of the software.

No, but if you'd been reading this newsgroup recently you'd
know all about them. Garmin are still keeping quiet on their
site in spite of having admitted to working on OS mapping,
but someone did post a Magellan announcement quite recently.
We knew about all this way before that though, someone here
has even bought the Magellan software.

Oh yes, I just remembered, there was a problem with the
Magellan software and I believe it's been recalled or
something. Someone here will be able to tell you more. Sorry
I can't remember who offhand.

Paul
--
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NC said:

Obviously they like to keep it secret, because I have just
looked at both company's websites after reading your other
posting. No obvious mention of the software.

It was rather more obvious last week when it was the
current press release on the home page. Now it's
disappeared into the press release archive and is certainly
not obvious. It isn't in the software product listings
either, but nor are several other non-US products such as
Topo Norway and various Australian maps. They seem to
advertise these only in the native country, but there isn't
really a UK-specific website.

The maps are reasonably interesting but aren't any
substitute for printed maps (or even computerised copies of
printed maps). It will be interesting to see if Garmin do a
better job, but I suspect that the small screens will make
any topo map hard to use. Details such as following
footpaths is feasible, but route planning is very difficult
: the map is illegible when zoomed out far enough to see a
proper view. We're a long way from 1m wide, 300dpi LCD
screens, and if you had one you wouldn't want to carry it !

-adrian

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Fran wrote on Sun, 20 Jun 2004 20:08:08 +0100....

Quoted message said:

Will we be seeing you sometime for a stroll in some of
the hills of south Wales, Mark? There's quite a
contingent of southWalians here now, what with Bill Grey
and Paul Sauders (Swansea), you in Cardiff and me in the
Rhondda. And there's someone else around somewhere too,
I'm sure - I just can't remember who for the moment.

Me? But I'm not in south Wales, just go walking there.

No, there's someone else - I think - living in the area.
Blowed if I can remember who though, or even if it's
from this NG!
--
Fran If you need my email address please ask.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The maps offered, even with makers add-on software,
are road maps only, showing roads as approximate
straight lines - fine for driving, possibly useful for
road cycling, but no help for walking. The topographic
maps featured on the makers websites and advertising
are USA only.

Quoted message said:

I just bought a Garmin Venture .. having decided the
mapping software was really not up to scratch, nor worth
paying £50 extra for the GPS system, and then £100+ for
the UK topo maps.

Has anyone tried a in-car road mapping GPS system?

I purchased a Navman iCN630 a couple of weeks ago for work
purposes (I visit three or four addresses anywhere in Gtr
Manchester every day) and I am just blown away by it. It has
far exceeded my expectations. You just plug it in the cig
lighter and away you go. Large, clear, colour screen, voice
directions in a choice of voices, and street level maps for
all Europe. I can now get to any street from any street
without consulting a map.

This is a world away from my Garmin Summit and I really
wouldn't like to see this level of information on a screen
on a hill but for road use it is amazing.

--
Dave Newton

Lake District walk&image site daves-lakeland-daves-lakeland-Open ↗
mountains.co.uk

GSV Three Minds in a Can said:

I'm not sure why the 'lack of waterproofness' is regarded
as such a big problem - there are plenty of after-market
waterproofing solutions available, starting with that good
old standby, a polythene bag and some scotch tape
(essentially free) and going up from there.

The iFinder comes with a dedicated waterproof, floatable
carrying case.

Quoted message said:

Not like you need internal access to the GPS (until
it's time to change the batteries), unlike a CD or
Cassette player.

Not convenient to put it in a pocket when it's in the case
though, and I wouldn't want that flapping about my neck. It
is reputed to be water resistant though, so maybe it would
be okay in light rain.

Paul
--
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photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

GSV Three Minds in a Can said:

The eTrex (Venture, legend, whatever) works pretty good,
although it does struggle under heavy (or even moderate)
tree cover, and you have to hold it right (patch antenna
pointing skywards).

For some reason mine, as used by me, doesn't struggle under
heavy tree cover. But it struggles under mild tree cover if
I use battery save mode.

Quoted message said:

Oh yes - and the =all= eat batteries. The '15 hours' or
whatever assumes you never touch a button. if you do, the
backlight goes on. If it does that, the power consumption
doubles or triples.

I would regard it as a serious flaw in the design of the s/w
if you couldn't stop that happening.

--
Chris Malcolm [email hidden] +44 (0)131 651 3445
DoD #205 IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings,
Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK ["]http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

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

Quoted message said:

Fran said:

There's quite a contingent of southWalians here now,
what with Bill Grey and Paul Sauders (Swansea), you in
Cardiff and me in the Rhondda. And there's someone else
around somewhere too, I'm sure - I just can't remember
who for the moment.

Paul Cummings? I don't think he lives here but he visits a
lot. I think Ed Whittaker is based in Swansea University.

Paul
--
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukwildwales.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

I live in Ebbw Vale, near Y Domen Fawr

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

Quoted message said:

Paul Cummings? I don't think he lives here but he visits a
lot. I think Ed Whittaker is based in Swansea University.

Paul

I was a Swansea Uni student and then kind of stayed on... It
just happens round here what with the Brecons and the Gower
so close. Or in the words of Dylan Thomas, "Swansea, the
graveyard of ambition" or something like that. Couldnt have
put it much better myself.

Ed.

Adrian Godwin said:

The maps are reasonably interesting but aren't any
substitute for printed maps (or even computerised copies
of printed maps).

Of course they aren't, but they will make a GPS even more
useable without a map, in other words, you won't have to
consult your map so often. Even a non-mapping GPS is
perfectly useable without a map. It's quite possible to do
an entire walk in an unfamiliar area without ever looking
at your map if you've plotted enough waypoints in advance,
so having some topo detail will make it even less necessary
to look at your map (which you should always carry blah,
blah, blah...).

Not a substitute, but as has been pointed out previously,
most of the real map study should be done before the walk,
with appropriate waypoints uploaded to the GPS. Having
studied the maps in advance and plotted the necessary
waypoints, there is often no further need to consult the map
(except in special circumstances).

Quoted message said:

It will be interesting to see if Garmin do a better job,
but I suspect that the small screens will make any topo
map hard to use.

Which is why I favour the larger screened models.

Quoted message said:

Details such as following footpaths is feasible,

I don't know why people keep banging on about footpaths, I
don't expect to see any (or many) of these on a GPS topo
map, I'd be happy just to see contours and streams.

Quoted message said:

but route planning is very difficult

Why would anyone try to plan a route on a GPS? You plan the
route on your computer beforehand, or on the paper map in
your tent if necessary. The GPS is used for navigating the
walk, not planning it. You wouldn't think of planning a walk
with a compass, would you?

Quoted message said:

the map is illegible when zoomed out far enough to see a
proper view.

There's no real need to zoom out to see a proper view. Just
look at your map instead. The advantage of topo mapping in a
GPS is simply to see some detail in the immediately
surrounding area, like whether you're about to descend a
steep slope or cross a stream, not to get an overview of the
whole area.

Quoted message said:

We're a long way from 1m wide, 300dpi LCD screens, and if
you had one you wouldn't want to carry it !

No I wouldn't. But I'm perfectly happing wandering around
with a non-mapping GPS with nothing more than a few
waypoints entered in advance. A little bit of topo detail
would be a welcome and useful extra, not something to be
criticised because it isn't as good as a paper map.

Paul
--
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The message <[email hidden]>
from "NEWTON" <[email hidden]> contains these words:

Quoted message said:

Has anyone tried a in-car road mapping GPS system?

Quoted message said:

I purchased a Navman iCN630 a couple of weeks ago for work
purposes (I visit three or four addresses anywhere in Gtr
Manchester every day) and I am just blown away by it. It
has far exceeded my expectations. You just plug it in the
cig lighter and away you go. Large, clear, colour screen,
voice directions in a choice of voices, and street level
maps for all Europe. I can now get to any street from any
street without consulting a map.

How does it cope with addresses which do not have a road
reference in them?

--
Roger Chapman so far this year 34 summits New - 18 (Marilyns
6, Sweats 1, Outlying Fells 11) Repeats - 16( Marilyns 5,
Sweats 11, Wainwrights 11) Knackered knee - 4 times

GSV Three Minds in a Can said:

I must have the 'wrong kind' of trees ('on the line' then.
Even in 'normal' mode I'm typically down to 2 satellites
as soon as I get under moderate tree cover. Afaik the only
way to see that is to open up the 'satellite' page ..

The default satellite page on the various eTrexen is a Work
of Stan. Unless you've really ancient software (you can
upgrade with a data cable and a free download from Garmin)
you can get "Advanced Skyview", and there is no reason I can
think of why you wouldn't use that as your default. When
you're on the satellite page press "Enter" and then select
"Advanced Skyview" and "Enter" and then you'll actually have
Useful Information rather than some comedy animation.

Quoted message said:

You can't .. there is no 'backlight stays off' option as
far as I can see. You can have 'stays on for 15 seconds,
30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes' or 'stays on forever'.
'Stays off' is not an option (presumably because you'd
never be able to see to turn it on again in the dark).

What version of the software do you have? (it should tell
you on the Setup menu) Looking at the current manual it
says, "If the lighting conditions make it hard for you to
see the screen, you can adjust the contrast or turn on the
backlight. Press and release the POWER button from any
screen to turn on the backlight".

Current software revision on the basic eTrex is 2.14, I
don't know about the others.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
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