Bill Wright wrote:
>I would like to buy a GPS and need some feedback on your likes and dislikes of the different units.
>What should I look for? It will be used for Canada and USA.
>
>
I've used a Magellan Sport Trak Pro - and would recommend the equivalent Garmin (can't remember
exactly why now, but the Garmin's have some slightly better features). Creating track and profile
maps is not a simple matter and requires research and hours at the computer figuring it out (a pain
in the @ss, if you ask me.).
I quickly became bored with mine and it now sits in a drawer. I am very happy and satisfied using my
cycle computer and maps. In my opinion, it is a rather expensive toy. ($250 and it can tell me -
"you are here." That's an exaggeration, but that's how I feel about it.)
It's of little to no real use until you buy maps for it (it appears Magellan has wised up and
brought the price down - check Amazon). Be sure it has lots of memory for loading those maps. My
Magellan's memory capacity was only enough to hold the state of Colorado at one time.
The Magellan handlebar mount is another $30.
Problems listed already I agree with:
- Body blocking satellite reception and decreasing accuracy - significantly in some cases. I neded
up putting mine in a side pouch of a rear pannier to decrease body blockage. Microwave - cell
phone towers will cause intermittent loss of signal, too.
- Battery usage. Even if you get 8 hours out of them (more common), it's still something you have to
keep up with (keep batteries charged or keep a ready supply alkalines - AA's).
The best way to use it , from reviews and accounts I have read, is only when you need it - *not*
mounted on your handlebars and constantly on. You can find hotels and points of interest with it.
And if you really are lost, it can tell you where you are and how to get to where you want to go -
if it's in the map database.
All that said, since I have one, I'll probably (*probably*) try to find maps for wherever I end up
going on a tour this summer (unless they are over $100 - then, ... forget it! I like paper maps
anyway - and I use a compass if I get confused.)
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Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://www.CycleTourist.com Integrity is obvious. The lack of it
is common.
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