GPS Beta

“I need a GPS unit for my NL hike. I'm not a bells and whistle guy and prefer my gear to be as simple as possible.

Can anyone help?”

“You may want to look into something like a Garmin Etrex Legend or Etrex Legend HCx.

Both units are basically the same. The HCx has a color screen, expandable memory, and has a more sensitive receiver.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=173

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8701

I should note, that you would need to also purchase the mapping software because the preloaded base maps from Garmin are crap.”

“Thanks, Zac. BTW, I'll get back to you soon. Montreal trip still on?

Doug”

“Montreal is still on for Oct. 13 - 15. I'm paid in full for the conference. I will let you know my actual itinerary is when the date gets closer.”

“Cool.”

“I really like my Garmin GPSmap 6-CSx. It does have some bells, but no whistles so to speak. It does get great reception. I haven't lost a signal yet.
last edited: 8/27/08 2:18:04 PM”

“I'm pretty sure windigrrl meant GPS map 60 CSx, cause that's the one i have and i have never lost a single and i've been in some very low valleys with an extremely thick tree canopy.
I don't recomend the garmin eTrex or the cheap magellens. Those gps's barely work on top of a mountain and don't even work if you stand under one tree.”

“GPS map 60 CSx is a winner.

the garmin units are all pretty good. the gecko is hard to beat for being compact and having a limited feature set. while not fast to lock on it does get the job done. the 60csx with it's sirfII chipset is the bomb. best unit made for the last three years and running as far as i am concerned... better than the current colorado gps units garmin has out now.”

“I'm pretty sure windigrrl meant GPS map 60 CSx, that's what I meant. My typing wasn't so great, but the GPS is!”

“GPS units are not very intuitive. In some respects the newer ones are counter intuitive. Don't grab one and expect to navigate.

Understand the difference between bearing pointer and course pointer. They use the same screen, look the same, but functions are nearly opposite.

My first GPS only had a course pointer. A friend bought a new GPS and I told him to select a waypoint and follow the pointer. He got lost.

Map Datum and Map format, the effect of trees, valleys, cliffs, cloud cover, battery life, there is a lot to understand.”

“Something I didn't mention is one feature that is worth having is a GPS with an electronic compass. This enables you to know what direction you are heading without moving. With units with out this feature, you have to be walking for the unit to tell direction.”

“The compass may need to be calibrated.”

“Like with anything, you will need to learn about the features on whatever GPS you decide on.”

“Thanks, everyone - I knew you wouldn't let me down.

I just e-mailed a company that offers courses in orienteering, both compass and GPS. The company is composed of the Canadian orienteering team. I wouldn't think of not taking a course because the rangers at Gros Morne give everyone a test and if you fail you don't get a permit.”

“i think it's great that you will learn to use a map and compass as well as a gps. i almost always carry a map and compass but i am lazy and use the gps most of the time. i still pull out the map and compass, however, and practice using it. these are great (and fun!) skill that you can learn, maintain, and play with.”

“So far I'm going with two young women - one of them my daughter









You GOTTA come, MarkO - trust Unca Gremlin - getting screeched, kissing the cod and eating fried seal flipper are right up there on the life list.







But I digress; where was I? Oh yes ...

I'm pretty good with a map and compass and the young lady learned map and compass at NOLS in Wyoming. My daughter learned GPS while working for a mining company in northern Ontario when she was a student. I think we ought to be all right. Also the rangers put a tracking device in your pack - that is if you pass their GPS and compass tests and they give you a permit.

Second childhood beats he!! out of the first, BTW, eh?

Doug”

“Yogisan, why do you prefer the 60 CSx over the newer Colorado units?”