Gps

[Outdoorbuff]

Can someone tell me....Is there a big difference between GPS units other then price?

[crashdive123]

Features. For the most part, the more features, the higher the cost. Here's a link to some reviews of different handheld models. http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/gps/

[Rick]

I have the Garmin eTrex. That thing is so much smarter than me. I think it talks to the satellites about me but I'm not sure.

[Ole WV Coot]

I have the Garmin eTrex. That thing is so much smarter than me. I think it talks to the satellites about me but I'm not sure.

I have the same Garmin. I don't turn it on now. I marked an old beech tree, old orchard and a creek crossing. When I get slightly confused(LOST) I dig it out and hit go back. I can find my way out if I can get to any of these 3 places. That ain't really the way you use them but it works for me.

[crashdive123]

The handheld GPS I've got is old, very old. No maps, charts, topo's. Used it when going off-shore in a small boat - could always follow the track back if I needed it. The newer stuff is pretty amazing.

[RobertRogers]

GPS is oft over rated. I'd say at least 50% who have them do not really know how to use them. That said, I have one and use it alot but still my good old map and compass remains the gold standard of navigation

[Rick]

Well, just 'cause folks don't know how to use them isn't the fault of the GPS. There are probably more than a few captains and pilots that would disagree about the gold standard. I still use topos and sat maps and a compass but it's nice to wonder off with my GPS, too. All I have to do is follow the little footprints on the screen back to camp. That's pretty much a no brainer.

[Beo]

Mines pretty simple, I look up in the sky... sun rises in the east and sets in the west... then I say hmmmmm that must be north pointing out the direction.
So is it GPS - Global Positioning System or GPS - Goobers playing survival?

[crashdive123]

....and just like with words, precision is important.....at least to within 30 feet.

[Ridge Wolf]

GPS units are good if you have a clear view of satellites with no obstructions and that includes trees. I have a Garmin GPS 5 that has road maps and I used it out in the eastern parts of Oregon when I was a courier there. I just punched in an address and the unit would route me right to the place I needed to go. It also was good in thick fog as I could see where the road was bending etc. I have used it in GeoCaching also and it is good for that and it has a back track feature.

I don't carry it anymore. it is unreliable as it is old and the batteries drain quickly (those always have). If you're in the wilderness or off the beaten track i.e. no roads I would stick with a compass and map as that combination is more reliable. As I said, the GPS units need a clear view of satellites to coordinate position.

[RangerXanatos]

My boss was telling me just today that they are making a GPS that will send out a help signal if something happens to you out all alone. Say you fall and break your hip and can't move. Send out the help signal on your GPS and they will know exactly where to send help to. Great idea IMHO.

Daniel

[Gray Wolf]

But like LifeAlert, you still have to press the button for it to work. But it's still a good thing.

[RangerXanatos]

Maybe they will come out with one that has the same feature plus it will send off your position constantly. Just let people know your itenerary and when you should be back. After so long, and your people start worrying, they send the calvary. Think we might need to start a patent.

[bulrush]

I have been using a GPS for geocaching for 5 years and this is what I have learned. I should first explain how a GPS works. When you turn it on it receives signals from 20+ satellites in geosynchronous orbit around the earth. The more sats your GPS can lock onto, the more accurate position will be shown. Consumer units are limited to an accuracy of about 17 feet. For example, when my GPS locks on to 3 sats, I get an accuracy of about 100 ft. If it locks onto 10 sats, I get an accuracy of about 17 ft.

1. The main difference is features. Some have color screens, some are b&w. On some they come with a basemap showing interstate highways and state highways, but not residential roads. On some of the you can hook them up to your computer and add in a waypoint from geocaching.com.

2. The other main difference is the antenna and GPS chip they use. There are 2 main types of antennas in consumer units. I used to have a Garmin Gecko 201 with a patch antenna. This patch antenna is the low-end of the spectrum. It simply did not work at all under trees in the summer, and did not work in the jungles of Belize due to heavy cover. It worked fine in open spaces and on the water. Since many geocaches are under heavy tree cover, I was forced to upgrade.

The better antenna is the helix type, with a SIRF III chip. My Garmin 76csx has this and it works well under cover. My 76csx also has a color screen, which is bigger than my old Gecko 201. It has a barometer, altimeter, and has Jump Master capability for sky diving. (I forget what other features the Jump Master has but it does use the altimeter.) It is also waterproof and floats if dropped in the water (assuming all seals are sealed). I can hook it up to my PC and send a geocache to it with the click of one button. Batteries last 4-5 hours but I use rechargables (2 AA).

NOTE: when I had my Gecko 201 and learned about patch antennas, I asked people about performance under heavy tree cover. Most people (some who also had a Gecko) said it worked fine under trees, a few said it did not work well at all. So your mileage may vary with patch antennas.

I also like my 76csx because I can mark good hunting or fishing spots, and it tells you the best hunting/fishing time too, along with moon phase, sunset/rise time, moonset/rise time.

I like my GPS since whenever I used a compass, something seemed to interfere with it (knives, metal zippers, etc).

[Ridge Wolf]

Maybe they will come out with one that has the same feature plus it will send off your position constantly. Just let people know your itenerary and when you should be back. After so long, and your people start worrying, they send the calvary. Think we might need to start a patent.

and have a person with a newly formed company and a computer that monitors the signals 24/7. Great business idea.

[crashdive123]

It may be out already, but if not, it probably won't be too long before a regular handheld gps is combined with one of these http://www.weatherbuffs.com/SPOT_Eme...or_p/spot1.htm

[Rick]

Ranger - There are personal units out there today that do just what you described. Doug Ritter did a review of them on his web site. Not all PLBs are created equal.

http://www.equipped.org/

Just scroll down. There are several articles.

[vanguard1]

We'll see how SPOT works out in the long run - some of the testing I saw was pretty cool.

A GPS unit that has firmware that can be updated by the user is a good option - earlier this year two new sats were placed in service....causing some confusion with some units that did not recognize the new sats...this meant people were losing fix everytime the sats came over the horizon. Software updates were the answer.

Also - learn how to use the unit. In the marine industry I see far too many people that have all kinds of tech and don't know how to work it AND don't know how to use the old standards (!)

I have had quite a few units simply because of the type work I am involved in. My personal fav is an older Magellan unit that accepts SD cards. I have every street in Canada and the U.S in the palm of my hand that is not reliant on anything more than the GPS system working. The unit is waterproof and submersible.

Also - optimize your settings to conserve battery life, often reducing backlighting will save current, same for the display powering off after a few - get the track captured to find your back if you need to do so, but you aren't looking at the screen the whole time...I hope not anyway.

Learn to use a compass and get paper maps, don't become dependent on the tech. If your HDOP is 20...you'll need that compass and those maps! Not a bad idea to check each against each other (GPS v. compass & maps) to be sure you're getting it right!

[TrappinGal]

i practically had to take a class on how to get mine up and runnin, but now its very valuable on the trapline.

it allows me to remember exactly where i make my sets.

i have a n older one, im sure theyre much simpler now to operate.

[BruceZed]

GPS are useful, but they do not replace a topographical map and a good compass. I just finished teaching a week long wilderness navigation course and everyone came back saying that despite everything said by GPS salesmen and manufactures (that they can do everything) they are just another wilderness navigation tool, not the only tool.

I do carry a GPS with me and recommend the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. I have a had good luck with it and it runs at $300 or less. It is pretty decently priced for an easy to use GPS Receiver with a colour screen and good battery life.