Handheld GPS - Page 2

BigJimCalhoun · 09-05-2010, 17:43

Thank you - I really like the PN-60 model.

**Ambush Master** · 09-05-2010, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Here is a little tit-bit for the FOG's

SCREEN SIZE.. Having the lightest, smallest GPS is useless if you can't read the screen

and conversely

BATTERIES.. Having a big screen means you use more power..

It is a compromise you need to weigh, especially if you are on long off road treks. If you have a camp where you can store gear or pack horses to toot gear??

If you are still a ruck'r, look at small solar panels and rechargeable batteries. If you have sunny shies & good weather..

For those that trek with their Land Yatchets (winny-bagles) you may want to think about a small remote GPS antenna that will port to your laptop. GPS software is fairly cheap and you will probably have the laptop anyway. With a data contract on your cellphone you can Twitter your location any time, any place..

In the car I have a Tom Tom XL one with 5 inch screen??

Speaking AS A FOG!!! The Garmin 60CSx is easily readable without glasses!! Being that I was last in Combat in 1970/1971 I believe that I fall well within the REALM of FOGDOM!!

I do not use GPS in a vehicle, I believe in knowing where I am going the OLD way!!
Also, the 60CSx uses AA Batts and can run all day on a pair.

Later
Martin

plato · 09-05-2010, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Here is a little tit-bit for the FOG's

BATTERIES.. Having a big screen means you use more power..

There is a great battery solution for Tom Toms and Garmins. I have a Garmin Nuvi 760, standard auto GPS. Radio Shack sells a small gadget that's about the size of the old plastic pocket coin holder, the one that looked like, er, um, well, anyway the gadget holds two AA batteries and has cords and tips for about any device. I keep it for as an emergency backup for both GPS and cell phone.

Tit-bits?

SF_BHT · 09-06-2010, 07:37

In my job I get to use a lot of different gear and can try new GPS gear as I constantly look for better toys for the office.

For driving I prefer the Gamin Nuvi series. It talks to me and have great maps that I can get for my trips outside the US. I still use paper maps like AM does as power and GPS computer /operator errors do happen. The GPS route is not always the best but it keeps me pointed in the right direction. I have found that if I input the destination and let it plot the route I can zoom out and make corrections as I want and keep going in the right direction.

For foot/boat/AC I ma currently using the Gamin 60CSx and I love it. Hell you can even plot HALO/HAHO with its app's. Just finished a maritime course and the 60CSx was our back up to the chart plotter and charts we had. The old rule 1 is none 2 is one should always be used.

Who wants to be out at sea 50+ miles from land and have their chart plotter die. Storm roll up and you lose your chart....... Yes it did on one exercise and the crew was freaking....... 36 foot center console boat in the middle of the Caribbean is not where you want to be with just a compass. They radioed in and we reminded them of the hand held in the crew box and they got up and going and back to shore with out error. It was training but as those that go to sea the sea is not very forgiving.

Just my 2 cents

JJ_BPK · 09-06-2010, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by plato

There is a great battery solution for Tom Toms and Garmins. I have a Garmin Nuvi 760, standard auto GPS. Radio Shack sells a small gadget that's about the size of the old plastic pocket coin holder, the one that looked like, er, um, well, anyway the gadget holds two AA batteries and has cords and tips for about any device. I keep it for as an emergency backup for both GPS and cell phone.

Tit-bits?

Do you have a link or model??

Is this the unit??

http://sellout.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=11559

plato · 09-06-2010, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Do you have a link or model??

Is this the unit??

http://sellout.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=11559

I have the iGo model on this page. Got it from Radio Shack. However, there's a different model at the bottom of the page that used 4 AA batteries, and probably lasts longer. Mine works like a charm, and the tips are very available at Radio Shack and Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/iGo-powerXtend...milarities_t_2

BigJimCalhoun · 09-25-2010, 11:47

This thread inspired me to pick up a used Garmin Legend at a pawn shop last week for $35. It worked in the store, but seemed to lock up when I got home after turning on the WAAS feature. The problem was this older unit needed a firmware update to learn about a new satellite launched in 2008. I then ordered a cable from ebay for $6.50 as the one from the pawn shop did not include the cable.

I was able to borrow a cable from a gentleman at work (prior to the ebay arrival) to successfully update the firmware. He then sold me a Magellan Triton 300 with color screen which is better than the older Legend without the high-sensitivity antenna.

Each of these two units have base functionality. If I like them maybe I will get a better unit in the future.

I am thinking of getting the expensive lithium batteries for my hunting trip. Do others use lithium batteries in their GPS in the cooler weather?