GPS signal strength

[WayneR]

Just got back from BIBE and on several hikes experienced "lost satellite reception" beeps from my Garmin GPS 76S.  I have been 'wearing' my GPS on my waist via a clip on my belt loop.  Is my unit just old technology or is their a way to get better reception while hiking a trail in Big Bend without continually losing the signal?  On tougher hikes, I like to use trekking poles so I have no free hand to hold the GPS at the optimal position.

So, how do the pros here hike and navigate without hand-holding the GPS?

[txhiker]

I clip it to my chest strap...I've never had poor reception. I have seen people clip it to their shoulder straps about shoulder level.

[Sotol Vista]

I clip mine on my shoulder strap just below my shoulder. I also have a longer lanyard and loop that through the shoulder pad to prevent an accidental "un-clipping" and losing the GPS. I lost an FRS radio that way

by the way, what trails were you on? in the the desert? or up in the chisos, canyons or flat areas?

James

[badknees]

Just got back from BIBE and on several hikes experienced "lost satellite reception" beeps from my Garmin GPS 76S.  I have been 'wearing' my GPS on my waist via a clip on my belt loop.  Is my unit just old technology or is their a way to get better reception while hiking a trail in Big Bend without continually losing the signal?  On tougher hikes, I like to use trekking poles so I have no free hand to hold the GPS at the optimal position.

So, how do the pros here hike and navigate without hand-holding the GPS?

Unfortunately your best option is an upgrade. The 76S is an older unit, (circa 2002) designed with marine applications in mind and lacking the latest high sensitivity chip set (ie SIRF and others). I carry my 60CSX in my cargo shorts pocket sometimes and don't lose signal in canyons or heavy tree cover. Occasionally loss of signal can occur in VERY narrow canyons or under an overhang, but I can even get signal locks indoors sometimes. Your solution is $$$. Sorry

[betteroutside]

It is no big deal to loose your signal occasionally. Happens frequently in canyon country. No need to carry it pointing up in the air, as I have seen some doing it before! It will regain the signal, and there you are! Oh yeah, carry mine in the bottle pocket in a wet rib. That is unless the bear spray is in there, and then it goes clipped to the wet rib strap. 

[dkerr24]

Just got back from BIBE and on several hikes experienced "lost satellite reception" beeps from my Garmin GPS 76S.  I have been 'wearing' my GPS on my waist via a clip on my belt loop.  Is my unit just old technology or is their a way to get better reception while hiking a trail in Big Bend without continually losing the signal?  On tougher hikes, I like to use trekking poles so I have no free hand to hold the GPS at the optimal position.

So, how do the pros here hike and navigate without hand-holding the GPS?

Unfortunately your best option is an upgrade. The 76S is an older unit, (circa 2002) designed with marine applications in mind and lacking the latest high sensitivity chip set (ie SIRF and others). I carry my 60CSX in my cargo shorts pocket sometimes and don't lose signal in canyons or heavy tree cover. Occasionally loss of signal can occur in VERY narrow canyons or under an overhang, but I can even get signal locks indoors sometimes. Your solution is $$$. Sorry

Same results here... I think you'll need to upgrade.  I have a Garmin 60csx and it worked when in a side pocket in my pack when I hiked the Outer Mountain Loop.  Most of the time I had it clipped to the cross chest strap on my pack and it worked perfectly. 

[WayneR]

I clip mine on my shoulder strap just below my shoulder. I also have a longer lanyard and loop that through the shoulder pad to prevent an accidental "un-clipping" and losing the GPS. I lost an FRS radio that way

by the way, what trails were you on? in the the desert? or up in the chisos, canyons or flat areas?

James

The two major hikes I did this trip were Casa Grande and Marufo Vega (Randell's Overlook).  In both cases, I needed to keep an eye on my waypoints after leaving the main trail.

Wayne

[WayneR]

The other option I have been considering (in-lieu of buying a newer unit) is getting a external antenna which has a cord and plugs into the GPS.  The problem is the darn cord!  Between hauling a backpack, tripod shoulder pouch, camera around the neck I have too many cords and straps that can get entangled.

If I were to get a unit like the 60sx I wonder if my US parks central region topos would be compatible. 

Anyway, thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Wayne

[homerboy2u]

The Garmin 60csx is really not that pricy now a days. Check it out . It could be a good time to ask Santa for one, specially with the black friday sell-a-thon coming after thanksgiving.

 One of my best investments, when going out trail riding.

[badknees]

The other option I have been considering (in-lieu of buying a newer unit) is getting a external antenna which has a cord and plugs into the GPS.  The problem is the darn cord!  Between hauling a backpack, tripod shoulder pouch, camera around the neck I have too many cords and straps that can get entangled.

If I were to get a unit like the 60sx I wonder if my US parks central region topos would be compatible. 

Anyway, thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Wayne

The 76 does have an external antenna jack, and this is designed mainly for boaters, who mount the unit on the console under a T-top or similar, and have the antenna mounted in the clear. While this may alleviate the problem while boating or indoors (if the antenna is mounted outside), it will not help in a canyon or under tree cover. You need a different chipset.

The Central NP topos are compatible with 60csx. Do you have it on a CD?, because most Garmin map sets have unlock codes tied to the reciever. I believe it can be used on 2 receivers(?), but if not you have to purchase another unlock code to load it on additional receivers.

[Doc Savage]

I find it a little hard to believe that the chipset would make that much difference. I just had to upgrade my eMap due to it's not accepting external power. In the jeep in canyons under DENSE tree cover I OCCASSIONALLY lost reception. Never had that issue with it laying on the dash of the jeep in BIBE or while carrying it hiking on the occassional trail (I gave up backpacking a few years ago). Only time it ever got wiggy on me was on a hike to Delicate Arch in Arches, at noon when temps were over 105. I had it in a green neoprene pouch on my belt and it would register one point at a random point about 3 times in the hike.

I even "upgraded" to an older unit I found on clearance. Got a Garmin GPS 76 for about $100. I've never lost reception with it yet. To me $250 and up for a handheld GPS is not what I consider reasonable. I'm just cheap I guess.

An external antenna should be a good alternative not just to get it in the clear, but you can also find amplified antennas that will boost the signal as well. That's what I use on my RV for trips with my handheld units in a phone holder.

Robert

[badknees]

I find it a little hard to believe that the chipset would make that much difference. I just had to upgrade my eMap due to it's not accepting external power. In the jeep in canyons under DENSE tree cover I OCCASSIONALLY lost reception. Never had that issue with it laying on the dash of the jeep in BIBE or while carrying it hiking on the occassional trail (I gave up backpacking a few years ago). Only time it ever got wiggy on me was on a hike to Delicate Arch in Arches, at noon when temps were over 105. I had it in a green neoprene pouch on my belt and it would register one point at a random point about 3 times in the hike.

I even "upgraded" to an older unit I found on clearance. Got a Garmin GPS 76 for about $100. I've never lost reception with it yet. To me $250 and up for a handheld GPS is not what I consider reasonable. I'm just cheap I guess.

An external antenna should be a good alternative not just to get it in the clear, but you can also find amplified antennas that will boost the signal as well. That's what I use on my RV for trips with my handheld units in a phone holder.


Robert

Actually there is a significant difference in signal acquistion time, increased sensitivity, and power consumption with the newer chipsets (ie. SIRF Star III). Most older units will do fine in the open, (driving in your Jeep in Big Bend), but like I've already said, heavy cover and tight canyons will kill the older units. The satellite constellation configuration also makes a big difference in tight canyons, but all things being equal, there is no comparison between the newer and older units. Lower power consumption is an advantage as well. I have an older Garmin GPS 12 that uses 4 AA batteries in about 16 hours and my 60CSX takes 2 AA's and lasts for about 20 hrs.

PS I'm cheap too

[WayneR]

The Central NP topos are compatible with 60csx. Do you have it on a CD?, because most Garmin map sets have unlock codes tied to the reciever. I believe it can be used on 2 receivers(?), but if not you have to purchase another unlock code to load it on additional receivers.

I do have it on CD so I don't believe their is a lock code involved.  It would appear the 60csx uses microsd cards for data storage so I imagine you would download the National Park topos to a blank sd card?

Thanks Homero for the best price information on the 60csx.  I am very tempted to grab the nearest credit card, but....  

Wayne

[badknees]

The Central NP topos are compatible with 60csx. Do you have it on a CD?, because most Garmin map sets have unlock codes tied to the reciever. I believe it can be used on 2 receivers(?), but if not you have to purchase another unlock code to load it on additional receivers.

I do have it on CD so I don't believe their is a lock code involved.  It would appear the 60csx uses microsd cards for data storage so I imagine you would download the National Park topos to a blank sd card?

Thanks Homero for the best price information on the 60csx.  I am very tempted to grab the nearest credit card, but....  

Wayne

Install a blank mircoSD in the 60CSX and load the CD to MAPSOURCE. Then transfer the mapset to the receiver from MAPSOURCE via USB.

[SA Bill]

Interesting article about GPS system using quasars as reference points:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/091103-st-gps-quasars.html
  Bill