Which GPS - Page 2 - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

WestTexas · 10-25-2006, 08:55 AM

National Geographic sells "Adventure Paper" specifically designed for inkjet printers.

http://www.ngmapstore.com/shopping/p...=75&itemID=351

"Print your own custom waterproof, tear-resistant maps! Designed specifically for inkjet printers, this paper will withstand the rigors of the outdoors. Adventure Paper produces a high-quality image and is easily foldable and temperature-resistant, so you can take it anywhere you want to explore."

It comes in 8.5"x11", 8.5"x14" and 11"x17".

I print all my maps on it, front and back. You can wad it up in your pocket, get it wet, etc, and it still looks good.

The paper has a kind of "waxy, plastic" feel to it.

rgds,
WT

BigBendHiker · 10-30-2006, 04:28 PM

Cool! Thanks for that link on the paper. It looks like it is the same paper that is used on the National Geographic map you can purchase on Big Bend at the bookstore in the park.

With regards to which GPS, I am looking at purchasing a Garmin 60CSx. It will be my first GPS...so I am finally breaking down and getting one. Figured I could use it whilst at BIBE and while navigating and driving around cities...

BBH

Shannon · 10-30-2006, 06:01 PM

I absolutely recommend the Garmin 60Cx. We loved it in Rocky Mountain NP in early October, and we've used it on local area hikes since then. Coupled with MotionBased.com, it adds a lot to our hikes and adventures. If you haven't used MotionBased.com before, check it out!

We haven't done any geocaching with the 60Cx yet, but it has some nice-to-have built in features for geocachers, as well.

BigBendHiker · 10-30-2006, 06:03 PM

Thanks! I just went to motionbased.com. If I am reading it correctly, the motionbased lite is free? Does that version work fairly well, or is the fee based one better?

BBH

Shannon · 10-30-2006, 06:12 PM

The free one does everything you need or want it to do. I think the paid version simply stores all your data in perpetuity for recall later, whereas the free one only stores recent data. I'm not sure on frequency/duration of data storage for the free one; I just know I haven't hit the wall yet so I haven't opted to upgrade, but my husband who cycles a couple times a week has upgraded to keep his data readily accessible.

lphilpot · 01-01-2007, 03:13 PM

I'm glad I found this thread, as I'm starting to get interested in GPS lately. Can anyone recommend a good GPS FAQ, tips, etc., anywhere so I can come up to speed before I purchase anything (my birthday is this month :-) ?

Just briefly (if it helps), here are a few 'data points' about how I would(n't) use it, interests, etc. -

Some hiking, but probably minimal (are you kidding? In Louisiana? :-)
No unit-to-unit comm needed
Areas of coverage would be fairly consistent (i.e., no need for a huge database, as long as a few areas could be covered)
Mapping would be nice
No need for ultra light weight
Would like to eventually use with a laptop and MS Streets & Trips, most likely
No altimeter needed

I'm somewhat of a tech geek, so of course nothing can ever be too powerful nor feature-rich - Is there one with a four-barrell carb and dual exhausts?

That said, my interest at this point is largely just "something to play with", but I don't want to buy the absolute bottom end and quickly discover I've moved beyond what it will do. I suspect I will use it more as time goes on. I've looked a bit on Garmin's website and the GPSMAP 76 looks interesting to my uneducated eyes, although it is pretty low in the price range.

Thanks.

BigBendHiker · 01-02-2007, 04:29 PM

I recently purchased the Garmin GPS Map 60CSx and have been VERY pleased with it. Hiking, navigating San Antonio to Tip Top Cafe on Sunday and so on has been great. It has good accessories for use in your automobile. If you do go with it (or any other Garmin GPS) and will be using it for cities, I recommend the City Navigator software as it has the detailed map information.

I had looked at the Garmin eTrex Vista, but wanted one with a larger display and better sensitivity.

Check out this website, as it has good information and pricing on the Garmin units.

http://www.gpsnow.com/

I did find the best price was on Amazon and purchased mine from there. I recommend staying away from eBay and other on-line auctions for your Garmin GPS and Garmin software. (they have a link on their websites explaining why). Please don't mis-read me...I am a big fan of Ebay (have bought and sold > 115 items on Ebay), but on the Garmin GPS's you could get burned.

BBH

lphilpot · 01-02-2007, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the info -

I came across www.gpsinformation.net, which has LOTS of info and links. I'm starting to sway to the GPSMAP 76S, which has more memory (24MB vs 8MB) and a couple of other things for about $25 more, typically. I suspect that unless I'm really disappointed in how it works, I'll probably end up using GPS+laptop+Streets & Trips in any city environment. Most of my use would be outside of a city, I suspect, but that's good to know, anyway.

Thanks again.

BigBendHiker · 01-02-2007, 09:18 PM

That is a good choice and for $25 more you cannot beat that.

If you need a screen protector for your GPS (to keep it from getting scratched), check out www.shieldzone.com. I purchased one from them and it worked great on my Garmin.

BBH

ploddinTod · 01-03-2007, 11:47 AM

I was gifted with a Garmin eTrex Legend. Right now I'm clueless but when the hunting season ends, I plan on taking it with me to the Lones Star Trail to put it through its paces.

We'll see.

Shannon · 01-03-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lphilpot

Thanks for the info -

I came across www.gpsinformation.net, which has LOTS of info and links. I'm starting to sway to the GPSMAP 76S, which has more memory (24MB vs 8MB) and a couple of other things for about $25 more, typically. I suspect that unless I'm really disappointed in how it works, I'll probably end up using GPS+laptop+Streets & Trips in any city environment. Most of my use would be outside of a city, I suspect, but that's good to know, anyway.

Thanks again.

Justin and I loved our Garmin GPSMap 76S. The only reason we parted with it is I'd planned to use it for mountain biking and cycling, but by the time we got mountain bikes Garmin had come out with much smaller units ideal for mountain biking (Forerunner 201 and, now, the Forerunner 301 and 305 units.) Also, the GPSMap 76S works best when held parallel to the ground/sky; it tends to lose signal easily if allowed to dangle (such as from the wrist strap) perpendicular to the ground/sky. This was a hassle for me since I was usually the one carrying the unit and usually have camera gear or birding binoculars in tow. I took to lashing the unit on the top of my camera bag so it maintained the orientation it liked best... just a minor caveat on an otherwise outstanding unit that has kept its value for something like 5 years now (we sold ours on eBay in '06 and since it was in flawless condition -- no scratches, original materials including box, latest firmware, etc.) -- we got top dollar for it but still provided a good value to the buyer (less than retail).

We have a bunch of Garmin units, including two different ones in our vehicles -- Justin's is dual-use, since it's also an IFR-certified aviation GPS so he uses it when he's flying. Mine is the Streetpilot 2720 with Text-To-Speech capabilities (so it reads actual street names out to you.)

I might be repeating myself or a previous poster, but I highly recommend picking up a copy of the Mapsource TOPO series for topographic information if you plan to do a fair amount of hiking, backpacking, geocaching, etc. with your unit. For vehicle navigation or in-hand city navigation, you'll get more value out of the City Navigator software package.

As for eBay, you are safe if you go for high positive feedback sellers with their own photos posted and, ideally, clearly lay out ALL their items in the photo and item description, including the presence or absence of all necessary serial numbers and unlock codes. I would avoid anyone not selling the product with the original product packaging -- and yes, many people keep the original packaging and are able to sell a used unit with that. It's just a good sign of someone who takes care of their electronics/geek gear and will be providing a good value to you.

lphilpot · 01-03-2007, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the feedback - As I continue to read abouth them, it looks as if the 76S falls just about where I'm looking to buy. A color screen would be nice, but it's not necessary at all. At this point, I'm not buying any additional software, but I'm sure that will happen before too long. :-)

Thanks again.

Shannon · 01-03-2007, 08:08 PM

The other plus of no color screen is your battery life will undoubtedly be better/longer than if the unit had a color screen.

Whatever you get, enjoy! Feel free to post followups if you have any questions once you get your unit.

lphilpot · 01-04-2007, 09:57 PM

It's on its way - Should have it early/mid next week. I'll let you know what I think once I've played with it for a while.

Thanks for the info.

lphilpot · 01-15-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

I'll let you know what I think once I've played with it for a while.

I think I like it!

Although I've not yet used it "for real", I've played with it in my neighborhood (found out it's about 0.6 miles around it) and trackback-ed to my house - although it /is/ a bit difficult to follow the GPS and ignore the street I'm walking along

. I've hooked it up to my laptop (MS Streets & Trips) and drove around, trying NOT to look at it too much while I drove. I've even been to www.geocaching.com and downloaded a few local waypoints.

I discovered a small camcorder case is nice to carry it and its cables, a real compass, extra batteries, etc., plus it has room for the manual. There's even room to stuff a couple GMRS radios in there if needed.

My MapSource CD should be here in a week or so. When I'm familiar with it, I'll have a better idea of which of the various free utilities I've downloaded and tried will stay and which will go. GPS TrackMaker is kinda neat in that it can call up Google Earth with the GPS track overlaid. Right now, I've used EasyGPS for simple waypont management, but I understand MapSource can do that as well.

Hopefully, we'll get a break on the nasty weather and I can get outside with it. Having to miss a daylight-visible comet (McNaught) due to weather is bad enough

- I'd like to play with my birthday present now...