Gps ??

M'sRunner · 05-22-2002, 08:31 PM

I am looking at getting a compass or GPS, Mainly because I think they look cool.

Any rate. I saw a battery operated digital compass for about $40.00 CDN that is just a simple digital compass.

But I was wondering if there is a GPS out there that would display a compass graphically as well as allow you to track your trip. (I think they all do this?) I really do not go off road so It does not need to be a really precise instrument..

TIA.

Marc

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Vince · 05-22-2002, 08:53 PM

Hey Marc a lot of us out here in the NW use the ETrex GPS units. They are nice hand held units that can be used for both hiking and wheeling.

Check out http://www.joe.mehaffey.com/

You also might want to check out the Geocaching forums here http://forums.groundspeak.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi. Lot of good info on GPS units and software.

***Corey*** · 05-22-2002, 09:32 PM

Hi Marc, as Vince mentioned, many of us like the Garmin e-Trex line.
I have the simple yellow one that came out a few years ago.
Paid $119 for it.
I can upload and download stuff from it to the PC.
It has a compass, but it doesn't track unless you are moving.

If you have the Real Player on your PC, I just uploaded a video of the e-Trex Summit. I think Vince has this model.
The compass is electronic, and works while standing still.
Very raaaaaaad

I will probably get the e-trex Vista, their top one right now. Darn little bugga's got 24 MB of ram, and a nice clear screen on it.
Plus it has the nice compass too.
I have used mine many times while out wheelin', and marked campsites with it up at Greenwater where a lot of us go.

Here is where I carry mine.

Sometimes it doesn't pick up the best from there though.

alanh · 05-25-2002, 09:29 PM

I have the Garmin Etrex Vista. I took a photo of the mount I use for mine, which is similar to Corey's except I moved it about as close to me as I could get it conveniently. My near vision ain't what it used to be and the screen is small, so I want that screen as close as possible.

The hand-held units aren't ideal for car use, but you can also take them hiking and get more use. Mine works well in the 4Runner with the external antenna and not so well in the woods hiking. Trees seem to block the signal so a GPS isn't the solution for all your navigation problems - I'm not throwing out my map and compass just yet. If you go to places that aren't so wooded, it works much better.

I use an external re-radiating antenna to help reception in my 4Runner. If I did this right there should be a photo attached. The antenna is the small grey thing in the upper right corner. Its up near windshield defroster vents. The cable with the bit of blue you can just see at the bottom is part of a power cord/ antenna cable. The antenna comes with a cig. lighter adapter and an antenna you put near your GPS that looks like a thin pencil about 3" long on the end of a wire. I got another cig. lighter adapter cable kit for the GPS and wired in an RS-232 cable to hook to a laptop. Both of the cig. lighter adapters are hard-wired in with a switch in the dash to turn the power off and on.

BTOWN4RUNNER · 05-26-2002, 09:09 AM

We have two on our fire trucks, one on the engine and one on the rescue truck. We use them mainly for landing the Medevacs. I don't know what they are, so I will check. But they sure work wonders for landing a helicopter, so I am sure they will be good for you! I will let you know what they are! :beaver:

-Ryan

M'sRunner · 05-26-2002, 06:52 PM

Thanks Guys!

As usual prompt and useful information.

I am not overly concerned about it being super sensitive my offroading thus far took me all of 200 ft off the cottage road into a sand pit.

Just an area someone is using to get fill from I imagine, but hey I had a good time. I could not believe how easily it popped me up and over the edge.

At first I thougth it easier to come down the hill until I got up top and noticed I see nothing in front of me. Backed that right up and took it from bottom. Shot up that side like a rocket. ( I had a tracker, 4 cyl jeep like suzuki thing.) I tried something similar about 10 years back and yup got stuck at the bottom and putting it into 4 whl drive stalled the engine as soon as you put her in gear.

Sorry for rambling on!

Thanks again!

ckonarske · 05-28-2002, 10:29 AM

I had a Honda Odyssey and the only thing I miss about it is the navigation unit it had, so I just ordered a Garmin GPS-V to use in the 4Runner. I should have it in a couple of days. I'll let you know how it works out.

Toddski · 05-28-2002, 12:46 PM

I too have the E-trex.
I have been using my GPS alot. I am looking for acreage to build a house on.
I want the property to be kinda level. Well you really cant trust some of the realestate people. You ask them if the property is level and they say "yea sure".:rolleyes:
So when i go out to the property i walk off the dimensions and see how acurate it is. Then i walk the whole property and see what altitude and how much of a slope the property has.
Its come in real handy lately.
I get a good work out also

Plus last year i got lost on my mountain bike and i used it to find my way out of the woods:pat:
Not to proud of that one

BTOWN4RUNNER · 05-28-2002, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddski
Not to proud of that one

As long as no one knows, it is ok. That is good that you had it though! :beaver:

-Ryan

05-22-2002, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,076	Hi Marc, as Vince mentioned, many of us like the Garmin e-Trex line. I have the simple yellow one that came out a few years ago. Paid $119 for it. I can upload and download stuff from it to the PC. It has a compass, but it doesn't track unless you are moving. If you have the Real Player on your PC, I just uploaded a video of the e-Trex Summit. I think Vince has this model. The compass is electronic, and works while standing still. Very raaaaaaad I will probably get the e-trex Vista, their top one right now. Darn little bugga's got 24 MB of ram, and a nice clear screen on it. Plus it has the nice compass too. I have used mine many times while out wheelin', and marked campsites with it up at Greenwater where a lot of us go. Here is where I carry mine. Sometimes it doesn't pick up the best from there though. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

05-25-2002, 09:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
alanh Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 275	I have the Garmin Etrex Vista. I took a photo of the mount I use for mine, which is similar to Corey's except I moved it about as close to me as I could get it conveniently. My near vision ain't what it used to be and the screen is small, so I want that screen as close as possible. The hand-held units aren't ideal for car use, but you can also take them hiking and get more use. Mine works well in the 4Runner with the external antenna and not so well in the woods hiking. Trees seem to block the signal so a GPS isn't the solution for all your navigation problems - I'm not throwing out my map and compass just yet. If you go to places that aren't so wooded, it works much better. I use an external re-radiating antenna to help reception in my 4Runner. If I did this right there should be a photo attached. The antenna is the small grey thing in the upper right corner. Its up near windshield defroster vents. The cable with the bit of blue you can just see at the bottom is part of a power cord/ antenna cable. The antenna comes with a cig. lighter adapter and an antenna you put near your GPS that looks like a thin pencil about 3" long on the end of a wire. I got another cig. lighter adapter cable kit for the GPS and wired in an RS-232 cable to hook to a laptop. Both of the cig. lighter adapters are hard-wired in with a switch in the dash to turn the power off and on. Attached Thumbnails

05-26-2002, 09:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
BTOWN4RUNNER Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Boyertown, Pa Posts: 1,853	We have two on our fire trucks, one on the engine and one on the rescue truck. We use them mainly for landing the Medevacs. I don't know what they are, so I will check. But they sure work wonders for landing a helicopter, so I am sure they will be good for you! I will let you know what they are! :beaver: -Ryan __________________ Ryan 2002 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Friendship Hook & Ladder Fire Co., Boyertown

05-28-2002, 10:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
ckonarske Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 196	I had a Honda Odyssey and the only thing I miss about it is the navigation unit it had, so I just ordered a Garmin GPS-V to use in the 4Runner. I should have it in a couple of days. I'll let you know how it works out. __________________ Chuck 4Runner Pics & Mods 2002 SR5 Sport Edition, Thundercloud Metallic, Thule Bike Rack, Stainless Steel Trim Screws, Tinted Windows, Electronic Compass, Hardwired Radar detector, Full Time Power Outlets, Deck Plate, Rewired Fog Lights, Addco Anti-sway Bars, Energy Suspension Bushings, "Enhanced" Grille Logo, Added Power Outlets

05-28-2002, 12:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Toddski Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Graham, Wa. Posts: 923	I too have the E-trex. I have been using my GPS alot. I am looking for acreage to build a house on. I want the property to be kinda level. Well you really cant trust some of the realestate people. You ask them if the property is level and they say "yea sure".:rolleyes: So when i go out to the property i walk off the dimensions and see how acurate it is. Then i walk the whole property and see what altitude and how much of a slope the property has. Its come in real handy lately. I get a good work out also Plus last year i got lost on my mountain bike and i used it to find my way out of the woods:pat: Not to proud of that one __________________ Todd '91 4runner SR5. OME 901 coils, Bilstein shocks, 31" Wildcountry TXR Tires. Lightforce Lance 140 offroad lights.

05-22-2002, 08:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vince Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 80	Hey Marc a lot of us out here in the NW use the ETrex GPS units. They are nice hand held units that can be used for both hiking and wheeling. Check out http://www.joe.mehaffey.com/ You also might want to check out the Geocaching forums here http://forums.groundspeak.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi. Lot of good info on GPS units and software.

05-26-2002, 06:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
M'sRunner Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North of Toronto, Canada Posts: 16	Thanks Guys! As usual prompt and useful information. I am not overly concerned about it being super sensitive my offroading thus far took me all of 200 ft off the cottage road into a sand pit. Just an area someone is using to get fill from I imagine, but hey I had a good time. I could not believe how easily it popped me up and over the edge. At first I thougth it easier to come down the hill until I got up top and noticed I see nothing in front of me. Backed that right up and took it from bottom. Shot up that side like a rocket. ( I had a tracker, 4 cyl jeep like suzuki thing.) I tried something similar about 10 years back and yup got stuck at the bottom and putting it into 4 whl drive stalled the engine as soon as you put her in gear. Sorry for rambling on! Thanks again!

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