Re: [Paddlewise] GPS Question

Hi Pete,

I myself am using a Garmin eTrex Vista for my kayak and bicycle daytrips.
Although the device is fine, it does not have a terribly long battery life.
It does run about a day on two fully charged 1300 mAh NiMh penlite batteries
(capacities up to 1800 mAh exist and should last longer). The "lesser"
eTrex'es have less features and have longer battery life. In particular the
magnetic compass of the Vista is quite battery-hungry, but fortunately can
be disabled.
NiMh also have the disadvantage of a high self-discharge rate. This is
normally not a problem if you charge them immediately before you use them,
but if you don't trickle charge them and just leave them lying around
they'll be empty in a few months.

The Vista (and most other Garmin units) are advertised as waterproof rated
IPX7 which is immersion to one meter (3 feet) for 30 minutes, but I always
use mine in a watertight Voyageur bag (which makes operating it a bit
troublesome).

Another and perhaps a better choice would be the Garmin 76 or the 76 Map
(I'm tempted to buy one of those as well), as it has a larger display and
floats by itself, and has all buttons up front, so it will be easier to view
and to operate from a watertight bag. I don't know about battery life
though, but information should be on Garmin's website www.garmin.com.
A lot more useful information can be found on www.smallboatgps.com by the
way.

don't get lost,

    Kees

B.T.W. a picture of my eTrex in action is on
www.xs4all.nl/~keesvdm/boot/btf13a5.htm

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************