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Let's Talk About GPS

Shawn

Shawn

Just Hanging Out
Location
Holly Day
I'm not sure if I should post this here or chit chat.

I went out riding the ATVs this weekend and we did quite a few trails. Some were on the map we had and some were not. My wife and I got to talking about using a GPS to track where we had gone and maybe make our own maps. EZ showed me one that he did and it was cool.

Please tell me your opinions on different types of GPS and which ones you feel are the best. Also are there ones that cater to different types of travels, ie foot, motor, etc.

Remember, I know nothing about a GPS, nor did I ever see myself needing or wanting one.

Input?
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I have the Garmin E-Trex Legend...

It has 12 channels (gets its location from 12 satellites, the more satellites the more acurate)

It can hold 1000 waypoints (points I enter in)

It has 8mb of memory (roughly 1/3 of Utah in topo maps)

20 Routes (trails from start to finsish) with up to 125 waypoints on each trail/route.

Will do MPH, odometer, distance, altitude, time, etc....

Runs around $200.00 at Sportsman...

You can learn more about other Garmin GPS units here...
http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/products.html#basic


It has been great for 4 wheeling and hiking both. It gets great reception and has alot of options you can get later, external antenna, handlebar mounts, topo software...
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
Oh forgot to add... it comes with the interface cable to hook into your computer. There are alot of cool topo programs out there that let you download all your waypoints.routes right onto the USGS quads (or any map scale you choose) that way you can see exactly where you traveled... you can mark campspots, trails, etc and then upload them back into the GPS...

If you have a laptop, hook it up to your GPS and you can drive around as the GPS gives you updated info on your speed, location, shown on the USGS maps on the computer.. really cool!
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
Originally posted by Shawn


I take it you like this one?
Click to expand...


I have had two. I have an E-Map and had an early E-trex. My dad has a Magellan and I don't care for it's interface. The Garmin seems more logical to me than the Magellan. The cigarette lighter power interface and a laptop interface is also a highly recommended item.
 
Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
here is an old thread that has some info in it...I think a lot of guys are happy with the E-Trex ones...they are pretty cheap but yet are a decent unit...
 
EZRhino

EZRhino

KalishnaKitty
Location
Sandy, UT
Shawn,

I bought mine here: http://www.gpsnow.com/ It's nice to give your money to a fellow four wheeler, and his prices are the lowest around to boot. That site gives a lot of really good info on GPS's. I have a Garmin GPS 12; it's an older model, the display isn't as good (not as many pixels, can't display too much) but overall I really like it. Contrary to what you may think (who knows what the hell you're thinking:) ) GPS's are pretty confusing at first and take some time to really get the hang of. I mean REALLY get the hang of.

When you get one, go to www.geocaching.com and go on some cache hunts! It's fun, your kids will love it, and you'll get more familiar with your unit (not that unit, get your mind out of the gutter).

I use a map program, also ordered from the above link, called "All Topo Utah". It's published right here in SLC and it has all of the cool 7.5 minute quads (topo ) maps. You can scroll around a map, print them out, zoom in, change the scales, make notations, and the best part: You can plot points on the map, transfer then to your GPS and then follow the route you set up at home!! And vice-versa!! IMHO GPS's and this map program are worthless without each other. It is so much fun to use the map, figure out where you want to explore, set your GPS and then follow your route. Gimme a holler if you want more specific info. I've seen Bryson's unit (a-hem!) and it's a goodie too. Don't know about the operator though.....:D

EZ
 
jp008

jp008

Well-Known Member
Location
Heber City
I relly like my Garmin E-Trex with the exception "I" could not load maps into it. A friend of mine has the Legend, I seem to like it alot better. I would still love my E-Trex except someone liked it more than I did and borrowed it on a NO return basis. I hate thieves:mad:
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
Originally posted by Shawn
...For the price I like yours.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the only thing you gain is the 24 mb (the entire State of utah on USGS topos's)... My 8mb (1/3 State) will be plenty for any travel I do... It also says tha the E-trex Legend doesn't have an electronic compass??? I know mine has a compass>
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
Originally posted by Shawn
what about altitude?
Click to expand...

Yup, mine does that... I have checked it vs. maps and it is dead on... (withing a few feet)...

It will also tell you how acurate it is at any given time... such as in the trees it may only be acurate to within 30 ft. (plenty for most applications) but in the open it will get accurate to within a couple feet.

Not sure about Magellan but the Garmin also lets you update the newest software to your GPS off of their site... I have done it to mine to add some good features...
 
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