I am talking about the portability of my new GPS, what were you thinking? :-) I wrote this at work tonight, imagine my surprise when I opened my email and found the discussion already in full swing! As you may remember from a previous post, I was considering buying a Garmin Etrex. Well, I decided to go for it. I have had the chance to play with it for a bit over a week now, but here in the icebound northeast I haven't had a chance to try it in paddling conditions. Yet. My initial impressions; I love the size! The Etrex is about the same size as a pack of cigarettes (not that anyone here would know how big that is! :-)), fitting comfortably in a shirt pocket. It is the smallest parallel receiver GPS that I have seen to date. The receiver works well, locking on to the satellites quickly under most conditions. The controls (all five buttons) are logical and easy to understand. Everything can be done with one hand. the software is user friendly, all functions are within three levels of a main page. The main functions are on a main page or one level down. The specs on this unit claim that it is submersible to one meter for thirty minutes. I don't think that the battery compartment is included in that spec. The battery compartment cover is rubber coated, it looks like it seals well enough for an occasional dunking. I wouldn't do more than a couple rolls before checking for leaks. Or you can do what is usually recommended and keep it in a waterproof bag. Shortcomings; Although the Etrex will store the same five hundred waypoints as its (double the price) brothers, it is limited to one route of up to fifty waypoints. I really don't see this as a big deal. I can always clear today's route and set up tomorrow's from my stored waypoints while waiting for dinner to cook. After all, I only follow one route at a time. I use Terrain Navigator software by Maptech to plan my paddles. Maptech does not have a driver to upload and download data to the Etrex yet. They told me that they will make a driver as soon as Garmin sends them the code and an Etrex. Until then I was told to try the drivers for other Garmin units and see if they work. This sort of hang-up is to be expected with a new product. The owners manual is not real helpful. You can almost learn everything in the owners manual just from playing with the unit. If you really want to get the most out of your Etrex either download or order the Etrex Advanced Users Guide. That will give useful information like how to change the map datum to match the chart that you are using for greater accuracy (page 18), and other truly useful information. That is about all the nits I have to pick with the Etrex so far. If anyone would like I can give them an update as I use it more. Remember, in the confined world of kayak storage, size DOES matter! Mike -- Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a great blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space. Mark H Hunt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The question was raised about the relative ability of the battery box to hold out water. I know, I brought it up, but another Garmin unit was described as not waterproof. I believe that not even splash resistant was mentioned. Having my Etrex sitting beside me as I read the post, I decided to do an experiment. Out to the kitchen for a bowl of water. First test had the Etrex in the water for thirty seconds, as fully submerged as I could get it. The battery box was fully submerged, but the top end of the unit wanted to float! I'm going to have to check that in deeper water. Thirty seconds later pull it out, dry off the outside to prevent splash from skewing the results. No water inside the battery box that I can find. Second test, five minutes. Same result. As far as I can tell no water got into the battery box at all. I pulled both batteries out to make sure. Now, this was five minutes at maybe three inches of depth, but it increases my confidence in the unit to withstand the occasional roll. And yes, I did turn the Etrex on afterwards to make sure it still works. If it hadn't I would be talking to Garmin right now instead of everyone here. I would speak here second. Mike -- Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a great blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space. Mark H Hunt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-I suspect the problem is when the GPS heats up in direct sun and the air inside expands and exits through the Gore-Tex in the battery compartment. Then a splash of cold water hits the unit, cooling it and causing a vacuum and drawing water into the battery compartment. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> The question was raised about the relative ability of the battery box to hold out water. I know, I brought it up, but another Garmin unit was described as not waterproof. I believe that not even splash resistant was mentioned. Having my Etrex sitting beside me as I read the post, I decided to do an experiment. >> I tested my first Garmin 12XL by submerging it in about half a meter of water for about an hour. At the end of the period the electronics seemed fine, but a little water had seeped into the battery compartment. I now carry it in a watertight plastic pouch. The unit eventually failed for other reasons (a big batch of bad backup batteries). Warning: Do this *before* the warranty runs out! Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> The question was raised about the relative ability of the battery box to hold out water. I know, I brought it up, but another Garmin unit was described as not waterproof. I believe that not even splash resistant was mentioned. Having my Etrex sitting beside me as I read the post, I decided to do an experiment. >> I tested my first Garmin 12XL by submerging it in about half a meter of water for about an hour. At the end of the period the electronics seemed fine, but a little water had seeped into the battery compartment. I now carry it in a watertight plastic pouch. The unit eventually failed for other reasons (a big batch of bad backup batteries). Warning: Do this *before* the warranty runs out! Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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