+- +-

Advertisement

Accommodation Options
With everything there is to see and do in and around Big Bend National Park, the area has become one of the most cherished family-friendly vacation destinations in Texas. Lodging options are abundant, ranging from rustic to luxurious. Whether your family would prefer a campground, an authentic Texas ranch, a resort hotel or a vacation rental, you're sure to find it here. There are also plenty of timeshare resales and vacation homes for sale, for those interested in becoming an avid Bender!

Copyright Notice
All photographs and content posted by members are to be considered copyrighted by their respective owners and may not be used for any purposes, commercial or otherwise, without permission.
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: GPS  (Read 3441 times)  Share 

Offline RedBuffalo

  • Roadrunner
  • *
  • Posts: 75
    • http://www.duprephotography.com/links.htm
GPS
« on: January 27, 2007, 08:24:27 AM »
If there is already a specific topic on this subject please redirect me.

Looking for a basic GPS unit that will give me "distance traveled."  Of course, I would like a lot of other features, but I'm primarily interested in distance.  I know, that doesn't help much when you don't know where you are, but I primarily stick to the trail. If I'm on an eight mile trail I'd just like to know how far I've gone or better yet, how far I have to go.

Any info. would be well aprreciated.  For a GPS dummy, the Garmin site is a bit intimidating.
Logged

Offline trtlrock

  • Black Bear
  • *
  • Posts: 734
GPS
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2007, 08:41:47 AM »
I use the Garmin etrex Venture.  It's among the smallest & lightest that Garmin offers & has everything you want & more.
Logged
John & Tess

"...and I'll face each day with a smile, for the time that I've been given's such a little while..." - Arthur Lee

Offline WL2

  • Black Bear
  • *
  • Posts: 554
GPS
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2007, 06:04:59 PM »
Try this web site.

http://gpsinformation.net/
Logged

Offline RichardM

  • Admin
  • Global Moderator
  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 5517
Re: GPS
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2007, 07:18:04 PM »
Quote from: "RedBuffalo"
If there is already a specific topic on this subject please redirect me.

There have been lots of discussions on GPS, but this one is fairly pertinent (at least until we got off in the weeds...)
Logged

Offline homerboy2u

  • The Chipewa Cris tribe,Canada:
  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 5012
GPS
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2007, 08:52:41 PM »
Two good sources RedBuffalo...here is another one, related to Topo Software

This one is related to GPS Track & Waypoints

And this is for GPS Stuff

 Although ,there are lots  more topics on BBC, if you do a search.  For the best  advise around here , just send a PM to the Board's Guru for GPS's.....WL2
Logged
Stay thirsty, my friends.

Offline RedBuffalo

  • Roadrunner
  • *
  • Posts: 75
    • http://www.duprephotography.com/links.htm
THANKS
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2007, 07:58:44 AM »
Thanks for tips and links.  I'll do some more research.  I'm hoping to identify a minimum unit for my needs and then try to pick up a used one on eBay.  I can't see the cost / benefit for a new one.  My main stay is high end photography gear so GPS is secondary plus I typically stick to the trail - although with a GPS I may not.

I will consult WL2 prior to a purchase.  

Thanks again.
Logged

Offline blizzard

  • Kangaroo Rat
  • *
  • Posts: 2
GPSCity.com
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2007, 10:27:32 AM »
A good site for comparison of all GPSr is GPSCity.com.
I upgraded from a Garmin 12 through the Etrex Vista Garmin 60CSX.  City Navigator and Garmin Topo both fit on the 1 gig memory card.  Transferring data through the mapsource program is easy enough.  
Sometimes Gander Mountain has a  package Etrex Legend, B/W, and the Topo together for about $150,  Check them out too.
IF you buy on Ebay check with the seller to determine if the Etrex series unit's click stick is working properly.  Also, the rubber seal on these models doesn't stand up well in our Texas sun.  
Good luck.
Logged

Offline RedBuffalo

  • Roadrunner
  • *
  • Posts: 75
    • http://www.duprephotography.com/links.htm
Garmin Foretrex 101
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2007, 08:58:56 PM »
After doing my research, I felt that the Garmin Foretrex 101 could probably get me out to Mule Ears Peak and back without any problems.  Plus I'll know the sunrise and sunset times....

For my basic needs this unit should fit me just fine.  I'm mainly wanting to know distance traveled so I can pace myself and supplies (water, food intake, etc...) along an established trail.

Just picked it up on eBay for $63 and plan to give it a test run at Ratcliff Lake SP in a few weeks.  I'll post back and let any interested parties know how it performs.  If I get in over my head with the functions I'll call WL2...
Logged

Offline Michael

  • Kangaroo Rat
  • *
  • Posts: 15
GPS
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2007, 01:06:24 PM »
I use the Garmin Forerunner 101 I believe it's called. I bought it when I made my trip to Big Bend. I love it , it tells me everything & it's just over $100.00. It is especially great in the desert at Big Bend, you can hike, set waypoints & when it's time to return hit the go to button & it brings you back to which ever waypoint you set to within feet of it.
Logged
Michael

Offline bdann

  • Creosote
  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 1820
GPS
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2007, 01:18:10 PM »
Amazon has that Forerunner 101 for $80 w/ free shipping.  Amazon has a good price on pretty much all Garmin products and they offer free shipping on orders over $25.
Logged
WATER, It does a body good.

Offline BigBendHiker

  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 2997
    • http://groups.msn.com/bigbendphotos/summer2005.msnw
GPS
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2007, 01:46:25 PM »
Quote from: "bdann"
Amazon has that Forerunner 101 for $80 w/ free shipping.  Amazon has a good price on pretty much all Garmin products and they offer free shipping on orders over $25.


Agree...I have purchased my Garmin and accessories through Amazon.  The free shipping on orders over $25 is great and invariably, I have received the items, when shipping in that way, in a matter of days (even though they have a caveat that indicates it may take a few days longer with the free shipping).  Can't beat it, in my opinion...


BBH
Logged
"Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window" - Steve Wozniak

Offline bdann

  • Creosote
  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 1820
GPS
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2007, 02:40:12 PM »
The only thing to watch out for on their free shipping deal (wow, we get off topic fast), is if you need to return something.  If you're returning something because you bought the wrong thing, or you just don't like the item....you have to pay the return shipping AND whatever it cost them to ship you the item in the first place.  So you basically have to pay them back for the free shipping.

No complaints though, the free shipping is a great deal.  I'm ordering my GPSMAP 60Csx and some accessories later this week from them.  I can't wait to get it.  I downloaded the manual and I'm hooked already.
Logged
WATER, It does a body good.

Offline Michael

  • Kangaroo Rat
  • *
  • Posts: 15
GPS
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2007, 07:36:41 PM »
In an earlier post I said I had the Foorerunner101. I stand corrected, I own the Foretrex 101 & am very happy with it. Sorry for the incorrect info / mistake.
Logged
Michael

Offline RedBuffalo

  • Roadrunner
  • *
  • Posts: 75
    • http://www.duprephotography.com/links.htm
Garmin 101
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2007, 05:58:37 AM »
So far I'm liking the Garmin 101 unit.  I know that die hard GPS users are laughing in their computer chairs about now, but it seems to do everything I want it to do.

I was pleased to discover that it fits nicely in to a cell phone slip that my day pack has on the right shoulder strap.  That should be a great place for it rather than on my wrist.  This will also be the best positioning for signal since the antenna end will be pointing straight up.  I'm taking it with me everyday to get used to the page layout and will give it a field test in two weeks at Ratcliff Lake RA.  I'll post back briefly on the field test.
Logged

Offline BigBendHiker

  • Mountain Lion
  • *
  • Posts: 2997
    • http://groups.msn.com/bigbendphotos/summer2005.msnw
Re: Garmin 101
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2007, 06:06:40 AM »
Quote from: "RedBuffalo"
...but it seems to do everything I want it to do.


Excellent comment.  That is all that matters when it comes to choosing one!


BBH
Logged
"Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window" - Steve Wozniak
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »
 

Advertisement
Looking to plan an adventurous trip at the Big Bend National Park but have a distracting timeshare on the brain? Free yourself from the stress of trying to sell timeshares or cancel timeshares. The professionals at Transfer America will have you enjoying the entire Big Bend Region in Texas before you know it.

Advertisement