Ridecamp: [RC] [Guest] [RC] GPS Distance Accuracy with Speed and Distancewatch

Jonni <jonnij@xxxxxxxx>
>>>When using a regular GPS do those of you who use them leave them on  or 
only take waypoints occasionally and then download to a computer program to 
find distances?  Accuracy on distances and thus average mph also seemed 
suspect and I'm guessing that's just because of losing contact with 
satellites along
the ride.  <<<

We just got the Timex watch, and I have used it while riding and driving my 
horse, but not on trails with a lot of tree cover yet. So far, it has been 
very accurate. Have also not used it more than a few hours at once, so 
batteries have held up fine. With a hand held GPS, if you only turn on at 
way points, and then go back and download for distance, you will only get 
the straight line distance from way point to way point, not the distance 
you actually traveled. To get the actual distance, you need to leave it on 
the whole ride. We have used the Garmin III plus for some trail 
measurement, and mapping, and it has done very well....except for long 
periods of thick trees, where it loses connection some. I think some folks 
who are trying to measure distance might not know how to fully use their 
units, and are indeed getting point to point measurements, as to actual 
distance traveled. I know Karen and others have used GPS units more than I 
have, and might be able to share findings. On XP2001, most folks seemed to 
find they worked well.

When I have ridden with my hand held, I kept watching the mileage shown, 
and it seemed to be pretty darn accurate. My next test, is to take out both 
the hand held and my new Timex watch unit, and compare.

Jonni in Texas


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