GPS Expertise Requested

Are there any GPS experts in the group? Any advice for a guy begining a search?<br><br>My only parameter at this point is that I'd like to spend under $200. It would be used for 1-2 day ski tours.<br><br>Or does anyone feel that GPS is just another unnecessary gadget?

A GPS is a handy gadget -- but no substitute for map and compass skills and route marking using wands / tape. <br><br>They are definitely convient for navagting above timberline in the fog -- it's nice to have a waypoint marked for Panarama Point when you're enveloped in fog on the Muir snowfield. <br><br>Using them to navagate through the forest is kess reliable -- heavy forest and an enclosing valley often results in widely varying position reports.<br><br>I currently use a Garmin Geko 201 -- nice light and compact unit -- connects to Maptech terrain navigator software so I can download routes (and upload waypoints / tracks from the field) Battery life is around 10 hours on a pair of AAA's -- always bring plenty of extra batteries.<br><br>I purchased this unit from GPSDiscount.com for only $115.

I bet there's lots of GPS nerds in this group . <br><br>I'd strongly recommend that whatever you get can take topographic maps.  I have the Garmin eTrex Legend which is exactly $200 at REI right now. The Legend accepts maps from Garmin's proprietary software, MapSource. It has 8MB of memory for maps, waypoints and tracks. Even having multiple maps in the system I've not managed to utilize all its memory. The unit is easy to use, small, durable and connects to your PC via Garmin's software or National Geographic (though you can't upload the maps from the NG software).<br><br>For my purposes I feel the Legend is the best GPS Receiver for me in the current market. However, there are numerous gripes I have with current GPS Receivers.<br><br>Here's my biggest gripes:<br>- Battery life is pathetic. I like to leave my GPS on whenever I'm moving so I can make pretty maps when I get home. However the batteries only last about a day. The Vista (the next model up from the Legend which has a built-in compass and barometer) even has worse battery life.<br><br>- Memory is proprietary. I want a GPS that uses standard-based portable memory, like Compact Flash. Magellans have upgradeable memory however it's proprietary.<br><br>- Accept higher resolution topos and establish a GPS topo map standard. Right now GPSes can only take 1:100,000 scale topos, which while better then no GPS map (yes I realize you'll always have a paper map, it's not the same though) leaves details to be desired. I'd like a GPS that can take 1:24 maps and work with any GPS software (ie, an industry standard needs to be established for maps; right now Magellan's and Garmin's software are both proprietary).<br><br>- Faster map scrolling. I want a GPS that can instantaneously scroll maps.<br><br>- A USB or Bluetooth interface. I understand some of the newer GPSes have the USB interface (eTrex not being amont those). I'm unaware of any GPS that uses the wireless Bluetooth interface. <br><br><br>Edited a zillion times to fix typos<br>

OK, well, I'm trying the Cobra GPS 100 now and not happy with it at all.<br><br>I was swayed to pick it up due to its $99 price tag, and because it has an altimeter and compass.<br><br>This unit will be returned. I've been experimenting with it for three days and find it unintelligable. The only thing that is user friendly is the altimeter, although it is spotty. I found that "backtracking" is flipped 180 degrees. So to back track you forward track... Seems like something out of Willy Wonka.<br><br>Anyway, great marketing on this one; feature richness at a sub-$100 price. Unfortunately, the marketing seems to be the only good thing about the Cobra 100.<br><br>I'm going to try the Garmin Legend.

My advice is:<br><br>You don't need a GPS with fancy mapping or topo capabilities.  You should know the area, or have a topo printout with you anyway.  Any GPS will let you create waypoints by entering coordinates before you go on a trip.  So you go on www.topozone.com , explore the area where you will be traveling, and pick a few spots on the map that you want to use as reference points in your GPS.  Then program those coordinates into the GPS, and you will be able to use the GPS to find them.

I use the eTrex (basic kind, $110).  It has long battery life (important when you take into account the diminished power of batteries in the cold), provides very accurate and precise altitudes with 5+ sattelite signals, and does everything that the more pricey models do, except that it has basically no mapping capabilities.  It has a little "map" display but it is a joke.  But that's not a problem, because you shouldn't be using your GPS as a map anyway.  I just program a few critical points into the GPS, and the GPS will tell you the direction and distance to any of those points.<br><br>If you get an eTrex, you can interface it with your computer using free software ( www.lexicon.net/firstwaypoint/gps/links.htm ) and you can even save $30 by making your own interface cable.  I recommend GPS Trackmaker.

A couple more thoughts-

Never rely on GPS for navigation if you will be in the woods.  GPS signals do not penetrate tree cover.

Don't forget to mark the location of your car before you head out.

. You know I'm just a old codger who like's a map and compass but I do have a GPS that I like and is helpful. All the above is true you can run the full tech dealllHey Ron where are you? But I would never depend on the damn things......(a long story...)  <br><br>  However a sweet setup I think is a Gps such as a garmin 12 as I own that cables into your PC and Topo map program  fun and easy to playwith you down and up load tracks , way points and its all fairly straight forward. The benefit is you are using your topo map in hand and  turn on the GPS to confirm where you know you already are. Just a another tool in the pocket<br><br>Cordially<br>cw