Frodo 0 #1 August 21, 2003 I'm looking for a basic & cheap GPS unit, and the cheapest seems to be the Garmin eTrex. (well yes there is also the small Geko, but it's too basic.) I'm just confused with this part: Built-In Electronic Compass: N/A. How come? If a GPS can guide you to your waypoints, then it's not hard to include a compass screen in it as well. Maybe I'm getting something wrong, and actually there is a compass? In fact, the attached image does show one. Aside from it, what are your experiences with using this or another GPS? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #2 August 21, 2003 In case this post gets lost in the Talk Back oubliettes, send a PM to craig at cpoxon ... not sure if he uses that particular one, but he's quick the uber gps gizmo geek.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #3 August 21, 2003 I use one quite a bit for my birdman jumps( Garmin V model) and several different models at work. What do you intend to do with it? Knowing that will give you a better idea of which model you should be looking at. If your looking to use it for land navigation, they all pretty much do the job. The higher end models have more features that some people want and some that may be of no use to the average hiker. Overall, they are easy to use and require a little to no instruction manual time unless you want to do some of the waypoint and tracking features. The Garmin web site is pretty good on software updates as well."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 August 21, 2003 The problem with a simple GPS is that it tells you where you are and which direction you're traveling, but not which direction you're facing or in which direction you need to travel (from a standing start). A compass (electronic or otherwise) tells you which direction you're facing, but little else. If you marry the two items into one package, then you have a very good tool. BTW, the Geko 301 would be PERFECT for all sorts of things -- BirdMan tracks for instance. It's about the size of a Digitude.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pds 0 #5 August 21, 2003 hiya. what it is showing, and most every hand held gps for that matter, is a HEADING, not a cardinal direction. the unit interpolates your head from where you just were and where you are. a compass would require a solid state compass, magnaflux or something or other, size and cost prohibitive. i could be absolutely wrong, but i dont think so.namaste, motherfucker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #6 August 21, 2003 I have an eTrex Vista. Best dang gadget purchase I've made in years. The Vista is the most expensive one they sell (I think)... mainly because it has gobs of memory to load specialized maps. I haven't used the compass for much more than "which direction am I facing?" type things. The map is obviously much more useful. But I suppose if you needed to navigate to something and for whatever reason it wasn't on the GPS map but was on a paper map, the compass would come in handy. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #7 August 21, 2003 No, I am lost......"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #8 August 21, 2003 Not cost prohibitive at all! They've been included in a number of GPS receivers for years!quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pds 0 #9 August 21, 2003 well there it is. i guess i was basing that on the experience i had in selecting a electronic compass for my boat and my garmin, about 2 years old, doesnt have one. thanks for the heads upnamaste, motherfucker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #10 August 21, 2003 Yup, they also come on "Suunto" watches, that some people (myself included) are using as our primary wrist-mount altimeter. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo 0 #11 August 21, 2003 QuoteWhat do you intend to do with it? Knowing that will give you a better idea of which model you should be looking at.I need it for simple stuff like mountain biking or just finding my destination in an unfamiliar region - while driving, for example. Not for skydiving. And I don't think I need the uploadable maps that much. What's worse is that the other unit (etrex venture) that's loaded with a lot of other features, like city database, WAAS (more accuracy), etc. - also has N/A under compass... I'll probably consider these four: etrex, etrex venture, geko 101 and 201. But the lack of compass really confuses me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #12 August 21, 2003 I'm tellin' ya . . . the Geko 301 HAS the electronic compass built into it! Check it out!quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #13 August 21, 2003 I have the exact unit that you are looking at. I use it for hunting. It seems to have all the features I need. It does have a compass feature built in and i have checked it against another stand alone compass to see how accurate it is. Seems to be fine for what i use it for. Just my .02 Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #14 August 21, 2003 Seems like a GPS would be a GREAT tool for hunting. Set your favorite spots up as waypoints and zip right in while it's still dark out. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #15 August 21, 2003 QuoteI need it for simple stuff like mountain biking or just finding my destination in an unfamiliar region - while driving, for example. Not for skydiving. And I don't think I need the uploadable maps that much. For Mt. Biking and or driving you will probablly have to be able to upload maps if you do any type of traveling and want detailed map coverage. Driving is pretty hard to do if your using a small hand held GPS as looking at the screen and trying to navigate with push buttons and not crash is a challenge. If you think you'll use it more for driving I recommend you look at one of the bigger models that has a bigger screen and can be mounted in a easy to see location on the dash. If your Mt. biking off of published roads then your pretty much going to get your location in a large open screen and no detail of a road/trail unless it is documented and you have the map in your unit. In this case it would help to have a topographical map of the area in your pocket and use the GPS to confirm your location using grid coordinates it gives you against the map. This also means you must know how to use either LAT/LONG, MGRS(Military Grid Refrence System) or UTM(Universal trans Mercator) to obtain grid coordinates on th map itself. It's not as hard as it sounds, really. In any case, most any of the GPS's would probably work for you. Best bet is to go to the store and play with as many models as you can and purchase the one you feel does what you want the best."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #16 August 21, 2003 QuoteSeems like a GPS would be a GREAT tool for hunting. Set your favorite spots up as waypoints and zip right in while it's still dark out. Especially during bow season when i hunt from b4 dawn till after dark. i also marked everyone elses stands so i know where they are when i am walking. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #17 August 21, 2003 I use the Venture - it has a built in compass for sure. I use if for alot of backcountry excursions in Utah and never needed more than it provides and we get quite far out there too... PM me if you want specifics. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #18 August 21, 2003 Quote(well yes there is also the small Geko, but it's too basic.) The Geko 201 has all of the features of the basic eTrex (the one with the yellow case) and then some, like WAAS support and better firmware. The 301 is even better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo 0 #19 August 21, 2003 Ok, here's a general question: is there a website that can convert exact addresses or zip-codes into Lat/Long coordinates? For example if you know where you're going and want to enter that destination into the GPS. (Mapquest allows to get maps from the given coordinates, but I need it the other way around.) I'm googling it right now but I thought maybe someone knew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #20 August 21, 2003 Amatures . . . Try http://terraserver-usa.com/address.aspx. BTW, for the actual coordinates, you'll need to look at the URL it returns. It won't be "exact" because I think the TerraServer system is slightly out of whack with the maps, but it's close enough for jazz. Also useful is http://topozone.com/. And if you're a serious GPS geek, you might wanna check out http://www.geocaching.com/.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #21 August 21, 2003 Forget uploading maps - just bring your topo with you. IMHO one can save a ton of cash on a GPS that allows maps to be uploaded, and carry along a much much more detailed Topo which can really help out. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aeromobile 0 #22 August 21, 2003 Here is Garmins answer to your question. http://www.garmin.com/support/faqs/faq.jsp?faq=83 See Quade's answer also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #23 August 21, 2003 You can also invest in MS streets and trips and connect your GPS to your laptop and navigate live on screen as you drive with your destination/waypoints marked. For the real GPS GEEK A GPS/ Parachuting related article that I have been involved with somewhat. Now there no longer needs to be a human between that 500 lb bundle and the parachute. CLICK ME"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #24 August 21, 2003 GPS V with street maps. It will function as a compass when you are walking or move it more than the sattelite precision. It tells you it's accurate to 10 feet or whatever, walk 10 feet in that direction (max) and it will give you that compass heading. It is superhellacoolio. It's mounted on my scooter so I can see how long it will take me to get to the next gas station, and finds hotels and stuff. It finds great shortcuts too, and ways around traffic. It even helps Mouth find the Kaiser Emergency room when I'm in the back seat keeping the bones from pushing out of my ankle. WAY cheaper than an ambulance ride! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #25 August 21, 2003 That is the MAC Daddy set up!! Only problem is that would look wrong on my Harley, but it looks good on your Beemer dude. I still need to play with mounting the GPS V on top of my RAWA helmet. OH So many things to do and so little time LOL"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
