GPS Expertise Requested

Here I am, Charles.<br>Lots of good advice here.<br>Guess I could be considered a "geezer gear geek" but hey, not as geeky as Jeffey! Jeeze, that guy really knows a lot about gps technology.<br>I'm on my 3rd gps unit, an eTrex Summit, which I've had since the model first came out (5 years?).<br>Like the others recommend, I always carry a map and compass and know how to use them. I may also use the gps more than most other users I know. I use the gps extensively in conjunction with the Topo! computer mapping software. I leave the gps on during tours so that I can bring it back home and upload the track into the Topo! software and study the track on the computer map. I find it fascinating to review the trip that way and it helps me become more familiar with an area quicker. When planning a trip to a new destination I set up waypoints and route for the trip and print out a new Topo! map showing that new route.<br>Of course, as mentioned, the gps's usefulness in times of low visibility are invaluable and could mean the difference between and unplanned bivy and a "business as usual" tour. I believe another reason to leave the unit on during regular tours and refer to it often, is so one can gain intimate confidence in it's use and trust in the information it provides. In times of high stress and low visibility it is extremely easy to distrust the information on the machine, not unlike the way a VFR pilot distrusts instrument info when inadvertently placed in whiteout conditions.<br>Which brings us to the subject of batteries...<br>I've found that the eTrex series works better when the battery voltage is higher (as evidenced by the quality of the track after a trip, which seems to be affected by the # of sattlelites the unit stays locked on to). Battery voltage drops off as the battery loses charge. Different types of batteries lose voltage at a different rate in relation to their total battery life. The eTrex uses two AA batteries whiich in the case of most throw aways, come out of the package at 1.5 volts. Most AA rechargables are only 1.2 volts fully charged. So they don't seem to last long in the unit before it starts losing sattelites (maybe a half a day?). Alkaline batteries are 1.5 volts fully charged so they work pretty good for a while. But in as much as their voltage drops gradually, they are usually done for in the eTrex type units after about a day, even though they might have plenty of juice left to run some other type of device (including a GPS 12, which doesn't seem to care what voltage it is getting).<br>AA lithiums (roughly twice the cost of Alkalines) maintain their voltage at 1.5 volts until almost dead, plus they store more energy, so they last a long time. I usually get 3 or 4 trips out of a set. So they work better and last at least 2 ore 3 times longer. The also weigh about half that of the alkalines, so you really get a better bang for your buck. The best place I've found to buy them is at Walgreens or Office Depot, about $2.25 each, in quantities of 8.<br>One last item related to battery life in the eTrex unit:<br>On the units with the built in electronic mag compass (Summit and Vista?), you can set up the unit so that the compass is on or off. With the compass on, obviously, it uses the most juice. With the compass off the only direction information you get is the gps track across the ground; the unit just assumes your heading is the same as the sensed track. There is also the ability in the setup software of the unit for the direction info to switch to compass below a selected speed. I have mine set up for that speed to 1 mph so that the compass is always off when I am moving, but comes on when I stop.

 I leave the gps on during tours so that I can bring it back home and upload the track into the Topo! software and study the track on the computer map.  I find it fascinating to review the trip that way and it helps me become more familiar with an area quicker.<br>

<br><br>I also greatly enjoy reviewing my maps in Topo!/National Geographic upon trip return. I find that it has improved my topo reading skills. <br><br><br>

<br>AA lithiums (roughly twice the cost of Alkalines) maintain their voltage at 1.5 volts until almost dead, plus they store more energy, so they last a long time.  I usually get 3 or 4 trips out of a set. So they work better and last at least 2 ore 3 times longer. <br>

<br><br>Good idea, I'll have to try it. Since the lithium's battery life drops so abruptly do you ever find it difficult to detect when they're about to die?<br><br>Ron, since you leave your GPS on all the time, where do you store it? I was concerned that putting my GPS in my pack would adversely impact it's reception so I always store it in a pouch on one of my shoulder straps. It makes me look ultra geeky as I have a camera in a pouch on the opposite shoulder strap and sometimes even a pulse oximeter on my sternum strap.<br><br>Gaper Jeffey

<br>Since the lithium's battery life drops so abruptly do you ever find it difficult to detect when they're about to die?<br>Gaper Jeffey

It can sneak up on you... but if you're looking at the battery charge icon, say at least hourly, you'll pick up on it.<br><br>

<br>Ron, since you leave your GPS on all the time, where do you store it? I was concerned that putting my GPS in my pack would adversely impact it's reception so I always store it in a pouch on one of my shoulder straps. It makes me look ultra geeky as I have a camera in a pouch on the opposite shoulder strap and sometimes even a pulse oximeter on my sternum strap.<br>Gaper Jeffey

I think you're right; I think carrying it in your pack will affect the reception. I'm of a similar geekiness, 'cept I don't have the oximeter. Where do ya get 'em <br>

All this talk of GPS inspired me to take it to the Mt. Baker Ski Area (gasp(?)) today. I just held it out from my body in one hand to map out a run and see how fast it would clock me (it was 3:15, I was bored, and all of the lift-accessed powder was tracked out). I had considered snowshoeing to Artist Point and beyond but the avy forecast (and my inexperience) disagreed.<br><br>Does anyone here own, or have experience constructing, a splitboard? I have the perfect old board and a desire to find out what all of this 'skinning' is about.

Run with it man.break trail in 2 feet of fresh with nothing on your back laying down a highway skin track and you'll never go back.Be carefull though it's like crack once you try it your hooked .it's all you can think about next thing you know your skipping sleep to go play.

Stefan: your the master of no sleep tours!  Back to gps: I use a Magellen sporttrak pro. From the reviews I read before puchase it seemed to have the best ability to maintain a track in the forest. It hasn't disapointed. here is a sample track on Topo! near Alpental. The unit is bigger than the Garmins, but that helps with the geeky look . Ron's battery advice is very good, go with lithium. <br><br> http://images.snapfish.com/339344%3A%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3B33%3D3%3A9%3DXROQDF%3E23234764%3B6647ot1lsi