Re: [Paddlewise] GPS options for kayakers

 I have a Garmin 38 GPS. I use it inside a waterproof "baggy" type enclosure
boat stores sell for cell phones.  None of the GPS units are "really
waterproof". The unit has worked perfectly. Since I use mine on my surfski,
I have to attach it to the top of my thigh, above the knee, where I can read
it ( using elastic bands).
The only downside I have had with the GPS is getting bogus GPS numbers form
others---this has happened once( someone who read me the wrong numbers, had
me paddling waaay out beyond the reef I was looking for), and one other
time, I and 5 other kayakers were using my GPS as sole navigation tool to
find a reef called Horseshoe, about 2 miles out---after freediving it for
about 3 hours, a horrendous  rain storm ensued, cutting visibility to 30
feet in any direction, and bringing waves up to about 8 feet and
bigger.......The GPS would NOT pick up any satelites, so the compass
function would not work, i.e.,  we did not know what direction shore was.
We went with the waves, but after 10 minutes found a break in the clouds,
and discovered the strong west wind had the waves going "OUT" to sea, not
in.  Just a warning for anyone who may have thought they did not need a
compass if they got a gps.
Regards,
Dan Volker

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Johnson <kjohnson_at_trip.net>
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Saturday, April 18, 1998 10:22 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] GPS options for kayakers



>I just recently joined, so may have missed the discussion on this.  Checked
the archives and saw nothing.  Anyone have any GPS units that they have
experience with and would recommend?  Sea-Kayaker showed a new Magellan
Pioneer for under $100 but in the reviews I read, some dealers refuse to
carry it because it is so limited in channel capacity and took up to 45
minutes to get its initial reading, and when turned on and off, lost its
initial reading and required another 45 minutes to get it.  I was interested
to see that they have CD's with complete maps and charts that can be plugged
into computer and the GPS; would sure save on purchasing local charts
everywhere you go.  A gimmick or an asset?  Thanks.  Ken Johnson
>***************************************************************************
>PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
>Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
>***************************************************************************
>

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************