amartin_at_ilos.net writes: (RE looking for a new GPS - ) << Garmin eTrex (really bright, could see at the bottom of a body of water) >> I would never trust Garmin or anyone else to make a truly waterproof GPS, based on my experience with two Garmin units. Though Garmin has never admitted that the units were NOT waterproof, each unit developed rust in the battery compartment from simple drips of water off of the paddle. Neither was ever immersed. It was a major pain to get Garmin to accept them back for repair - though others have had better experiences with Garmin service. I eventually realized, after reading many posts to this list, that although the internal electronics of the GPS units may be waterproof, the battery compartments are not. When using the GPS now, I always have it in a waterproof Aquasafe bag on deck. And I test that bag periodically. And I remove the batteries and check the battery compartment immediately after paddling. Jeez, it's almost enough to make a person want to learn how to use a compass! (<-- just joking. GPS should only be a backup to a compass and other nav skills, IMO.) Bill Hansen Ithaca NY *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
After reading all the GPS posts here, I suddenly had to choose between the eTrex and the eMap for a friend in Mexico. I got the eMap. We played with it while driving (over days) from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende and then Tampico. It was really great, showed all the roads and everything. We kept it in the chart case on kayak trips and used it to show kilometers traveled and times too. I think even if I had the waterproof version I would do this. I've been really surprised lately that the VHF/GPS wasn't popular and was discontinued. Andree Hurley On Water Sports - http://www.onwatersports.com *************************************************************************** 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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