[GeoSTL] Re: Just Wondering?
- From: "Jim Bensman" <jbensman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 11:54:11 -0500
I also have the eTrex Vista. It is my 4th GPS. The first one I had was a
Delorme that was a yellow device that plugged into your laptop. Then I got
the Gamin GPS12 and then the Gamin III Plus.
Two addition features the Vista has is WAAS Differential readings and a
magnetic compass. Both are very useful for geocaching.
The WAAS features allows your GPS to download data to greatly increase the
accuracy of your reading. When you get a WAAS lock, you generally have 5 to
15 feet accuracy which is much more accurate than any none WAAS will get.
But sometimes it is hard to maintain a WAAS lock, you have to point the GPS
towards the Southeast and sometimes let it set a while when you are in tree
cover. Sometimes you cannot get a WAAS lock. But this is a very good
feature for caching.
The built in magnetic compass is very useful when you get close to the
cache. When you use the GPS signal to determine direction, it does not work
when you are moving slowly and changing direction often as you do when you
are trying to find the cache. When you do not have a built in magnetic
compass and moving slowly and changing directions, the GPS tells you which
direction the cache is, but it is not orientated and cannot tell you what
direction you are traveling. You can see the difference when you are
standing still. Without a magnetic compass when you rotate your GPS unit,
the compass does not rotate. With a magnetic compass, the compass rotates
as the GPS unit rotates. So when you are close to the cache, the GPS will
continue to correctly point to the cache no matter how slow you go or how
many times you turn. You can always bring a compass with you to orientate
your GPS, but built in is much better.
The GPS12 was great when I got it. It was a top of the line back then. But
not anymore. You can still find caches with it. But it is not WAAS
capable, does not have any maps, and does not have a magnetic compass. When
I got into caching, I had a GPS III Plus.
I would highly recomend the eTrex Vista
> -----Original Message-----
> From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Brian Maddox
> Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 7:16 AM
> To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [GeoSTL] Re: Just Wondering?
>
>
> I've got an eTrex Vista myself. The main reason I picked it up
> was that it
> had more memory than some of the other eTrex models. This was
> useful to us
> since we usually use electronic maps instead of paper ones (used
> to put stuff
> into Pocket Streets before we got the GPS). I haven't had any
> problems with
> it so far. The LCD has a pretty high resolution that makes it really
> readable, even on the small screen. The nice thing about having a lot of
> memory on it is that I go to Sioux Falls for business off and on and can
> stick the Metroguide maps of the entire route in it with room to spare.
>
> --- Budlvr40@xxxxxxx wrote:
> > Any and all responses would be appreciated!!! 6/14/02
> > -- What brand and model GPS do you guys/gals use?
> > -- What do you like/dislike about your model
> > -- Finally does anybody use or in the past used a Garmin gps12?
> > -- Specially interested in what you switched to and if it is a lot
> > better
> > or just more bells and whistles ( nothing against them)
> >
> > This is purely for my information, am considering getting a new unit,
> > have
> > read lots of logs and reviews, but still indecisive! Also have
> been asked
> > to
> > recommend a unit for a friend who may get into caching, but
> will definetly
> > use it sailing!
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Bob
> >
>
>
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Msg. of the day, "These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the
hereafter...
I go somewhere to get something and then wonder what I'm here after.
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