[Paddlewise] Replacement GPS

>>>>>From: Allan & Joyce Singleton <alsjfs_at_paradise.net.nz>
Subject: [Paddlewise] Replacement GPS
I am about to retire my Garmin GPS 38, and have decided that its replacement
should have an electronic compass (which seems to mean that you get a
barometric altimeter as well).
>From what is available in New Zealand the alternatives seem to be:
Garmin Geko 301
eTrex Summit
eTrex Vista
GPSMap 76S
GPSMap 60CS
Silva (Brunton in US) Multi-Navigator
The Geko 301 and eTrex Summit are the same price here, so I lean towards the
larger display and better battery life of the Summit. The Vista is still
within my price range, but the GPSMap models are a bit too expensive.
The Silva seems to have an advantage in that you can turn on the compass
without the GPS and get extremely long battery life - up to 60 days claimed.
Any comments welcomed, but in particular does anyone have experience with
the Silva?
Allan Singleton<<<<<

Allan -- I use the Garmin Summit which does have the electronic compass.
However, based on a sample size of two Summit's I've seen, the electronic
compass, even when held as level as possible (necessary to get a reasonable
reading), doesn't seem to be consistently accurate, at least compared to my
magnetic deck compass.  I normally use my GPS just to get the bearing, then
rely on my deck compass to follow it.  In other words, I haven't found the
electronic compass to be very useful (except for a couple of times in my
car...).  On the other hand, if I were to invest in a new GPS, I'd get one
that allows you to download maps, even if it meant swallowing hard and
spending the money.

Evan Dallas
Woodinville, Washington
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