>>>>>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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
You can use regular compass, if you don't have to use GPS. It is on your deck (or your neck) anyway, and is more precise, easier to use 'cause it's not in a drybag, and it works fine without batteries. On the other hand, screen map with GPS compass switched on, makes a lot of sense to me. Since Garmin released colour Map76c and Map76cs models, b/w ones should go cheaper now. They will probably discontinue b/w models in a couple of years. I wonder how better is visibility of those colour screens - for me the biggest problem with Etrex Legend are small letters and numbers (including distance scale), rather than land/water distinction (which is perhaps the strongest feature of colour display, speaking of kayakers :-). One advantage of Map76 model compared to Legend or Vista - it doesn't have a shitty joystick, and all the buttons are on front panel. I saw it in the store, very conveniently looking. Longer and wider due to larger screen, but very ergonomical shape, easy to grab and hold. > 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<<<<< *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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