My wife has expressed an interest in a GPS unit and I have been doing some looking on the web, with an idea of getting her one for Christmas. As a result I am suffering from info overload. If anyone has some strongly held opinions on make, model, and features for the semi serious Kayaker I would love to get your input. You can reply back channel if you want to avoid clogging up the list serve. Thanks in advance John Blackburn digipixs_at_erols.com Red/Green Diamante *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm somewhat in the same boat (no pun intended). I'm interested in picking up a basic GPS unit at Christmas.... don't need maps, color, etc. Just the basics of time, speed, distance, and coordinates. If you respond to John back-channel, please include me as well. Thanks Rick > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of John Blackburn > Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 4:06 PM > To: paddlewise > Subject: [Paddlewise] GPS Units??? > > > My wife has expressed an interest in a GPS unit and I have been doing > some looking on the web, with an idea of getting her one for > Christmas. > As a result I am suffering from info overload. > > If anyone has some strongly held opinions on make, model, and features > for the semi serious Kayaker I would love to get your input. > > You can reply back channel if you want to avoid clogging up the list > serve. > > Thanks in advance > John Blackburn digipixs_at_erols.com > Red/Green Diamante > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Last spring I purchased my first GPS, a Garmin eTrex. I got the silver one that has the charting. I highly recommend the charting. It includes all the navigational markers in the US. You can plot a course by selecting a marker. You do not need to translate the Lat-Long from your paper chart to the GPS. Just scroll around till you find where you want to go and say "GO TO". Entering coordinates is fine as long as you plan ahead and enter every possible way-point you might need. Personally, I am not that organized. With the chart I can change my plans on the water quickly and accurately. The chart also serves as another good idiot check. If you don't trust your compass or the course given by the GPS, you can check the charting to see if you are actually moving in the right direction. The charts in my GPS are crude. Small islands are missing, but most towns are identified and any thing over a mile is diameter generally shows up. Plus, as I say nav markers are there whether or not the harbor shows up realistically. You can down load more accurate charts if neccessary, but the crude chart is good enough for most purposes especially since you will be carrying a paper chart as well. Garmin offers a variety of price points in the eTrex line. They all appear good. More $$$ gives a better display, more satellite channels, more memory for waypoints, and then charting. They are water resistant. I use mine in a waterproof bag. I can manipulate the controls fairly well through the plastic. Nick -- Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-8847 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>From: Nick Schade >Last spring I purchased my first GPS, a Garmin eTrex. I got the >silver one that has the charting. I highly recommend the charting. Well, charting is something to argue about. I agree that databases with all marine navigational aids are usefull, but all the maps I have seen so far on handheld GPS are really crude. My basic yellow eTrex does a good job for 2 years now. More memory would be desirable, navigational marker database as well, maybe in a couple of years... On the other hand it is fairly easy to upload waypoints and makers of my paddling play grounds to the GPS before I head out. I got digital maps on my computer (topos and marine) and getting coordinates of buoeys and other landmarks is just a click and a 2nd one to get them into the GPS. Keeps the list of waypoints short and easy to access. >Garmin offers a variety of price points in the eTrex line. They all >appear good. More $$$ gives a better display, more satellite >channels, more memory for waypoints, and then charting. Here is a little mistake in your list. All recent Garmin receivers are 12 channel parallel satellite receivers. Some of the newer eTrex's feature WAAS, a new additional signal which is supposed to increase accuracy. Also those see/work with a max. of 12 satellites at a time (the best I ever had was 9 birds in view). If I would be in the market right now I would take a serious look at the new Garmin GPS 76, the one without the mapping (and buy digital maps for the money I save). My 0.02$ Ulli ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have been using Garmins for a number of years and have been happy with both the product and company. They are constantly updating the software fro their recent products and when I have experienced a failure, the product is replaced, no questions asked! I do DO NOT use a bag for my GPS and keep it on the deck. I do use the West Marine floating case which offers a little protection. I always rinse in fresh water after every use and remove the batteries to dry the few drops of water that occasionally enter the battery compartment. I have used the GPS12 series since they came out. I currently have the 12 MAP and like it a lot. I have the topo CD and get accurate displays of even small islands and mangroves. I also have some of the other Garmin software and use it while traveling, especially when flying. I slide the optional antennae between the shade and the window. I guess that use is now history. Battery life is around 24 hours. I am saving my pennies for the 76 map, because it has more memory and I can download more maps for traveling. The screen has slightly better resolution as well. If you are looking for a basic (cheap?) unit, you may be better off getting a used 12 MAP. Cya! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton writes: > I have been using Garmins for a number of years and have been happy with > both the product and company. They are constantly updating the software > fro their recent products and when I have experienced a failure, the > product is replaced, no questions asked! I can second that. When the backup battery in my first GPS 12XL died, Garmin replaced the entire unit free with a newer unit, even though it was by then out of warranty (they had received a batch of bad batteries from the battery manufacturer). Another advantage of Garmin products is the wealth of freeware and shareware computer programs that have been written for them. I even found a freeware program called GPilotS (http://www.cru.fr/perso/cc/GPilotS/) that allows me to upload, download, and edit Garmin waypoints, routes, and tracks on a Palm OS PDA. The main advantage of this program for me is that I can now periodically save my track data on a long trip and not be concerned about it being overwritten if I use the GPS during the long drive home from the takeout. Newer models may not have this problem, since, I understand, some of them can save multiple tracks. > I am saving my pennies for the 76 map, because it has more memory and I > can download more maps for traveling. The screen has slightly better > resolution as well. Another advantage of the GPS 76 is that the buttons are on the front of the unit, unlike the Etrex series, which has them on the side. This makes it a easier to operate if you keep it in a case on your deck. The GPS 76 also floats (it's a little bulkier, though, for this reason). I'm satisfied with my GPS 12XL, however. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Nick Schade <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com> wrote: >Last spring I purchased my first GPS, a Garmin eTrex. I got the >silver one that has the charting. I highly recommend the charting. It >includes all the navigational markers in the US. You can plot a >course by selecting a marker. You do not need to translate the >Lat-Long from your paper chart to the GPS. Just scroll around till >you find where you want to go and say "GO TO". West Marine has their own special "eTrex Mariner" that is white, waterproof, and also has chart features. I can't remember whether it's cheaper and has fewer features, or more than the silver one, and consequently more expensive... Shawn Find a job, post your resume. http://careers.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>From: "cholst" >The main advantage of this program for me is that I can now >periodically save my track data on a long trip and not be concerned >about it >being overwritten if I use the GPS during the long drive home from >the >takeout. Newer models may not have this problem, since, I >understand, some >of them can save multiple tracks. I can only speak for my yellow eTrex, not exactly the most recent model. I can save multiple tracks, up to 10 if I recall right, but the active trak log is still limited to a certain number of points (~2000). If this number is reached, the tracklog starts overwriting the oldest points. In other word on a long trip you will loose the beginning of the trip. Can be a problem if you planed to use trackback to get back home. As far as I know newer units still have the same restrictions on points in the active log, therefore the problem remains basically the same. It's good advice to save traks as soon as the memory indicates 95% usage. But you'lll need to check the display frequently to save in time. There is not automatic function to do that for you. A disadvantage of saving the active log into the memory of the unit is taht some information is lost (time/altitude), therefore speed calculations will not work anymore........Great if you can use a notebook or palm to do the data capturing. Garmin seems to be #1. Most of the software -espcl. free- or shareware- is made for Garmin, and most of this software is for the PC.I am using gartrip (www.gartrip.de), a shareware program and found that the one easiest to use and to give me the functions I need now. Ulli ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:24 PDT