Posted: 5/13/2001 2:43:27 PM EDT
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OK - I lied it'll be my 2nd one. I've got a 1991 Magellan w "scrolling map" in the 210. When I bought it, it was one of the most advanced systems available. The map printer can be separated easy enough, & the GPS slides right out. At the time the thing was advertised as portable, but this SOB is anything but "portable",,,, well, like all electronics, wadayagonado! I've never depended on the one in the plane, but I know a lot of pilots are starting to rely on them more than LORAN, etc. It was advertised as being accurate to + - 60', - bullchit - it's more like 400'! I never really wanted the thing, it was just part of the avionics package that came with the plane, interesting, but just a cute toy. Anyway, I've decided to buy a handheld one this week, looked at a few, & realized the whole parade passed me up! The kid in Wallyworld is useless, & I refuse to buy anything from the local boat shop - that leaves Sporty's, or Wallyworld + some advise. This site is always a good source for fairly accurate, no BS for things like this. WTH is all this 24 ch (mine has exactly three, two work), alphabet soup, gigantic memory, altimeter, temperature synchronized, auto-timer, with five beepers, auto reset, PS, PB, AC, blah, blah, blah about? [b]Never mind - I don't care,,,, I don't even want to know.[/b] I just want one that'll give reasonably accurate coordinates, work as a reliable compass (preferably in degrees - I've become too used to that format). I don't even get all this nonsense about the "need" so much memory, I'll probably enter less than 30 locations - only in the US - I don't want to "map the world." Can anyone recommend a reliable, no nonsense basic one, & model # ? Altitude would be nice (it they've improved any), as would easy to read (as in BIG characters), backlit display, Ni-Cads, & waterproof -- but none of that's necessary. I.E. what's the Colt, & Bushmaster of GPS,,,,, or (possibly more importantly) - is there a Hesse, or Dolphin of the GPS world??? One last thing [i](I promise).[/i] Is it still important to get one that'll take a remote antenna (so you don't have to get out of the car every time you take a reading)? |
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WILSON, I should wish I can help you with selecting a portable GPS according to the criteria you mentioned. The GPS I have mentioned in previous posts was permanently installed in one of my cars by our trusty technicians our family has used for years and I'm not sure exactly what was installed. The GPS I'm referring to is geared for automobile use and not outdoor activities. BTW, I put a fair amount of trust in our technicians because we have known them a long time and I am just way too busy as a university student with hobbies, daily gym program, and clients, etc, etc to do much research on my own for personal consumer goods. Maybe I shouldn't surf AR15.com and many other websites in my meagerly spare time! All I can say is the GPS I have is very accurate and responds to my voice with it responding back with an answer. If I'm lost, it tells me exactly where I am. If I miss a turn, it immediately recalculates the route and gives me new directions. It will tell me which compass direction I am heading if asked upon. If one of my cell phone rings, I can tell my GPS to go to sleep, answer the phone and tell the GPS to wake on demand after using my cell. Also there is no need to look at a screen while using it so I can focus on the road. It costed a small bundle, but it was worth it to install it just for the safety factor alone. Possibly in the near future I may be asking a similar question you are asking because lately I have been talking to some of my college friends who want to get into extreme sports like skydiving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, etc. Like I'm not busy enough! [:O] With that in mind, I better get myself a reliable and accurate portable GPS. But quite frankly, I want a portable with all the bells and whistles complete with "alphabet soup" when I'm out there with my life on a tread. [:)] If I hear about anything pertaining to your GPS question, I'll posted it. You may already have selected one by then! I hope you post here the GPS brand/type/model after you finally decided on one. [:D] Good luck! -RoadDog |
| I bought a Magellan GPS 315 for its' small size, small price, and it has the MGRS grid system. You can get MGRS maps from US Cavalry that cover the continemtal US. I have to have the MGRS, I just don't even feel like trying to figure out the UTM bullsh*t. I also got the adaptor so it can ride on the dash, and the "datasend" CD, which has the locations of more stuff (museums, hospitals, etc) than you can shake a stick at. |
| I have a Garmin eTrex Venture GPS. It's a nice small unit with all of the features that you've mentioned, plus a few more. It also lists the sunrise/sunset and "best hunting" times. This unit will also accept data from Garmin CDs. I use mine for lots of deep woods wandering and when I return home I download my track to my Maptech mapping program. After doing this, I can "see" exactly where I've been on a topo map. All in all, a very nice unit for around $160. [URL]www.garmin.com [/URL] SamC |
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I have a Magellan Tracker. The color one was not worth the extra money. Thus far I have been real happy with the results. Do I use all of the Bells and Whistles (no), but they are there if and when I ever need them. No matter which one you select, six-eight months down the road there will be one smaller, cheaper and with more Bells and Whistles. Good Luck GIB |