GPS units, anyone? - Page 2

> I'm wondering if anyone else here uses a GPS unit while on their rides.
If
> so, how do you keep it around? Do you carry it in a Camelback, or do you use a handlebar mount? I
> figure a handlebar mount will cause it to rattle to pieces, so I'd rather opt for a spot in my
> Camelback.

I've just started using a Garmin eTrex Legend on my rides. It gets connected to the outside of my
camelback so I has a good chance of seeing the sky. I did find when I was doing some riding up in
Oregon over 4th of July that the darn thing doesn't work so well in trees. The track data is more
of a disjoint line of random waypoints. For most trails here in the Bay area, it's been working
fine, as there's not a lot of tree cover. At least on the trails I've been on so far (I'm
desperately trying to get below clydesdale weight this summer, so I'm back in the saddle after a
half decade layoff).

For a mapping solution, I've teamed the Legend up with MapTech Terrain Navigator (TN). This software
is similar to the Nat. Geo. Topo! software and probably works much the same. The one feature that
made me choose TN over Topo! was the fact that TN will render topo maps in 3d. You can actually see
how much those hills are going to suck _before_ you go and ride them. They even include 3d glasses
with the product! I haven't bought any software for the Legend that will let me download maps into
the unit, as I'm not sure that's what I wanted it for, and I don't want to drop another bill on
that. I did find MS Streets and Trips at Costco for $7 after rebate, so that gives me some road maps
on the cheap when I'm at home.

Jason

BTW, the Legend's maps make it pretty hard to get lost on the road. Even if the road you're on is
too small for the built-in maps, you can usually see your target. When you're on a main road, it's a
quick check on the GPS to see if it's the road you thought it was.

I didn't really buy it for that, but its been cool. (It makes the 12v adapter worthwhile.)

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 05:40:21 GMT, "Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote:

>> I have your basic yellow eTrex. I keep it in a neoprine cover, normally strapped to my camelbak.
>> Take a look in my How to Info and Links page on my website.
>
>Server not working. I'm rather interested though...
OOPS typo www.mountainbikebill.com

<snip stuff i didn't know>
> Many English words came from Nahuatal through Spanish. The Spanish didn't like the "tl"
> combination, so they often changed it to "te", but it's
really
> not that hard to pronounce. I'll give you the Nahuatl word and let you
guess
> the English word:

Veeeery interesting - thanks for the lesson.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Anyone using Magellan? I am looking to get a GPS, and frequently I hear people complaining about bad
or non reception in woods. As I mostly ride the woody parts, that is not something that will prove
spending any money. On few web sites I found some people talking that Magellan Meridian is better in
reception overall, more precise and trees are not so much of a problem.

Any experiences?

D'amir

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote in message
news:fjoSa.13244$d47.660784@twister.tampabay.rr.com...

Anyone tried the Geko series yet? The 201 in particular...

Chris

"ctg" <ctgZERO@SPAMtalon.net> wrote in message news:G0DSa.21062$Ry3.2674309@monger.newsread.com...
>
> "Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote in message
> news:fjoSa.13244$d47.660784@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
>
> Anyone tried the Geko series yet? The 201 in particular...
>
> Chris

I have a Geko 201 which I use for trail mapping. It's much smaller than the etrex line. I velcro
it to the top of my helmet. Excellent, easy to use, basic gps unit but no provision for
displaying maps.
--
Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/

My understanding is they're better for waypoints but worst for track recording

--
Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/ "wanguard" <wanguard@zg.tel.hr> wrote in message
news:bfeqh1$36fo$1@as201.hinet.hr...
> Anyone using Magellan? I am looking to get a GPS, and frequently I hear people complaining about
> bad or non reception in woods. As I mostly ride the woody parts, that is
not
> something that will prove spending any money. On few web sites I found
some
> people talking that Magellan Meridian is better in reception overall, more precise and trees are
> not so much of a problem.
>
> Any experiences?
>
> D'amir

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 12:28:06 -0700, wanguard wrote:

> Anyone using Magellan? I am looking to get a GPS, and frequently I hear people complaining about
> bad or non reception in woods. As I mostly ride the woody parts, that is not something that will
> prove spending any money. On few web sites I found some people talking that Magellan Meridian is
> better in reception overall, more precise and trees are not so much of a problem.

There are several newsgroups devoted to GPS, navigation, etc. If you go to Google groups and search
for a combination of terms like "garmin magellan trees reception" you'll find dozens of posts
comparing the units, some with data from some pretty thorough field tests.

My sense from reading them is that if there are differences, they're not very significant, but you
might come away with a different conclusion. You might also investigate the purchase of external
amplified antennas, which can boost reception substantially. Size and durability might be an issue.

Tlacatecatl Tlacaxipe

"Pete Rissler" <peter_rissler@rissler.reno.nv.us> wrote in message
news:3f1b13b4$1_1@news.greatbasin.net...
> "ctg" <ctgZERO@SPAMtalon.net> wrote in message news:G0DSa.21062$Ry3.2674309@monger.newsread.com...
> >
> > "Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote in message
> > news:fjoSa.13244$d47.660784@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
> >
> > Anyone tried the Geko series yet? The 201 in particular...
> >
> > Chris
>
>
> I have a Geko 201 which I use for trail mapping. It's much smaller than
the
> etrex line. I velcro it to the top of my helmet. Excellent, easy to use, basic gps unit but no
> provision for displaying maps.
> --
> Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/
>
>

What software do you use for creating the maps? I'm planning on using the Nat. Geo. Topo! series.
I'm not really interested in displaying maps on the GPS itself, just want to make paper maps on the
computer. Any cons for the Geko for the uses I've listed? Thanks.

Chris

ctg scribbled :
> What software do you use for creating the maps? I'm planning on using the Nat. Geo. Topo! series.
> I'm not really interested in displaying maps on the GPS itself, just want to make paper maps on
> the computer. Any cons for the Geko for the uses I've listed? Thanks.
>
> Chris

if you want to see samples of some maps made in TOPO!! let me know, that's the one I use and I have
a file full of both hand drawn ones and ones made from uploaded tracks.

Penny pennys @ cet . com

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote in message
news:<fjoSa.13244$d47.660784@twister.tampabay.rr.com>...
> Ok, so I bought a Garmin Etrex Legend off of eBay just recently, and this thing is great! It's got
> lots of gimmicky features that only a true nerdass like me would love.

Thanks Phil.

JD

"JD" <CKAGMD@webtv.net> wrote in message news:bff73eaa.0307210749.4a425f58@posting.google.com...
> "Phil, Squid-in-Training" <i@i.com> wrote in message
news:<fjoSa.13244$d47.660784@twister.tampabay.rr.com>...
> > Ok, so I bought a Garmin Etrex Legend off of eBay just recently, and
this
> > thing is great! It's got lots of gimmicky features that only a true
nerdass
> > like me would love.
>
> Thanks Phil.

Uh... ?

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 21:28:06 +0200, "wanguard" <wanguard@zg.tel.hr> wrote:

>Anyone using Magellan? I am looking to get a GPS, and frequently I hear people complaining about
>bad or non reception in woods. As I mostly ride the woody parts, that is not something that will
>prove spending any money. On few web sites I found some people talking that Magellan Meridian is
>better in reception overall, more precise and trees are not so much of a problem.
>
>Any experiences?
>
>D'amir
>

I had a Magellan, which I lost, and now have an E-trex. I have never had a problem getting
reception, even in dense woods, with either. The only exceptions are when I'm hard up against a
pretty high hill/cliff/bank..but that usuallu rectifies itself in a short time.

Bob

Thanks everybody, it looks like they are same thing. In that case, Garmin is the choice.

If proved to be crap, I'll hold you responsible.

D'