Re: RC: Re: GPS units: need info.

[David LeBlanc <dleblanc@mindspring.com>]

I also use one - with mixed results.  I also have a Garmin 12XL, and once
used it to find my way out of several wrong turns, but another time ran
into problems because it doesn't have any way to know what the terrain
looks like.  Does you no good to know that camp is 3.2 miles away if you
are on the wrong side of the mountain.  Also, one should carry non-powered
navigation devices, as the Garmin does you no good whatsoever if the
batteries are dead.  Spare batteries are also a good idea.

There's another wrinkle to this, and I haven't done it quite yet - the more
expensive versions ($300 or so) can have topo maps downloaded into them.
So if you've bought the map software that has the information, you can have
topographic info loaded into your unit for where you want to go - solves
the problem with being on the wrong side of the ridge.  You can also come
home and download where you went into the computer and use the software to
plot maps of exactly where you went, along with how far and even what your
total altitude changes were.  Be really nice for mapping out training
rides, or even making sure that the ride you're putting on is really as
long as you think.

Another problem is that it doesn't pick up very well in its case, and
although there are mounts for bicycles and cars, I haven't figured out how
to attach it to a saddle.  The more expensive units also can use a remote
antenna (very useful for using it in a car, too), and I think you could pin
the antenna to your shoulder or top of your cantle bag, and that way you'll
get a good recording without having to worry about it falling off the horse.

Unless cost is really critical, I'd go for the more expensive unit.  The
cheaper ones can be useful and fun, so it depends on your usage.

Oh - to answer some specific questions below - yes, you can use it as a
speedometer.  If you don't believe me, take one in the car with you and
check it.  Mine is very accurate IF it has a lock on several satellites.
Same thing is true of everything else it measures - IF it has a good
reading the whole way, then it will accurately tell you how far you went.
Using the mapping software along with the unit with the remote antenna
would give better results, even if there are dead spots due to heavy foliage.

At 12:17 PM 11/29/99 -0800, Duncan Fletcher wrote:
>There are 2 types of storage. They will store track points automatically. My
>Garmin 12 will store 1024 of these. You can adjust how often these are
>generated. Waypoints must be entered manually by pushing a button (and
>another to confirm): the Garmin 12 holds 300. The numbers of other units
>will vary.
>
>But the automatic use can lead to not being aware that the unit has lost
>satellite contact and is either giving you a track point based on only 2
>satelites with substantially reduced accuracy or no reading at all.
>
>Even with good view of the sky, there is an error range of several hundred
>feet due to the miltary fudge factor.
>
>Duncan Fletcher
>dfletche@gte.net
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Jerry Kopp <jkopp@ohio.net>
>To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Sent: Monday, November 29, 1999 11:25 AM
>Subject: RC: GPS units: need info.
>
>
>> Before I add this to my Christmas list I would appreciate some
>information.
>> For those of you who have and/or currently use these when riding.  Will it
>> follow your progress through twisting trails like " breadcrumbs on a
>path"?
>> Or does it just give point to point info? When the description of a unit
>> states it can hold x number of " waypoints"  does the unit automatically
>> store these as you ride or do you manually have to press a button when the
>> trail changes direction?   I know previous discussions have stated you can
>> not use the unit as a speedometer but how is it  for accurately telling
>you
>> trip distance and average speed?  For those or you that have them, do you
>> find them useful and easy to use, if so which models?  Thanks in advance .
>>
>> Roxanne
>> NE Ohio
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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David LeBlanc
dleblanc@mindspring.com


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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=