how do they work?

[gotpaper1981]

Ok, so GPS seems to be a pretty common item now. We have one for in our truck, but the problem I have with it is when we go down to our ranch south of town, it doesn't pick up anything. It has to have a signal to get map info. Are they all like that? Down there it's only hills, not mountains. Hubby says you should be able to download maps and use those when it can't find a sattelite. Is this true on some of them? I told him I wanted to find out more info before we invest in another one. He wants a handheld one to take with us. Thanks for clearing it up if you can.

[Robert]

Before I would recommend a GPS to anyone you need to be sure you can read a topographic map and take one with you on your backpack trip. Even a GPS is not a foolproof way to keep from getting lost and in some respects can lead to a false sense of security.

I'm not sure how your GPS works on your car but the one on my cell phone depends on a cell signal to download a map of your area and maybe this is what you are referring to. However the handheld units usually require maps to be pre-loaded on to the unit which usually requires an additional cost besides the price of the unit. Be careful because some of the maps that come with these units don't have enough detail for backpacking.

[badknees]

Before I would recommend a GPS to anyone you need to be sure you can read a topographic map and take one with you on your backpack trip. Even a GPS is not a foolproof way to keep from getting lost and in some respects can lead to a false sense of security.

I'm not sure how your GPS works on your car but the one on my cell phone depends on a cell signal to download a map of your area and maybe this is what you are referring to. However the handheld units usually require maps to be pre-loaded on to the unit which usually requires an additional cost besides the price of the unit. Be careful because some of the maps that come with these units don't have enough detail for backpacking.

First of all, Robert is spot on about having map and compass navigational skills and not depending on GPS. It is a great tool and very handy, but when you drop it and break it on the trail, ya better be able to read a map.

......END OF LECTURE...........

In addition it appears as though what you may have in your car is a DVD based navigation system like Robert describes. A true GPS navigation system should not have any problems in hilly country.

If you are not getting a signal:

1. You don't have satellite GPS

2. It's broke

3. You are in heavy cover or a tight canyon with no line of sight to any satellite in the current constellation. (unlikely in a car)

If you can tell us what is actually in your car we may be able to be more helpful.

Also, what is it that you want the handheld to do for you?

[gotpaper1981]

Personally, I'm quite content with a map and a compass. My hubby on the other hand is a techno junkie. I don't like the truck one and refuse to have that thing ordering me on where to go. I guess the only benefit of a GPS that I can see when backpacking, is if you go off trail and had it record where you have been to look at when you get home. I would of course have to compare it with my paper map to see if it matched my route. I can't really see an absolute advantage over an actual map. You have to have a way to charge it, or carry batteries (x-tra weight), and weighs more than paper and compass. It can be broken and unusable. So for me it's a map, hubby wants the GPS. I just can't find enough of a reason to spend the amount of money on it.

How can you tell it is a sattelite GPS or not?

[homerboy2u]

How can you tell it is a sattelite GPS or not?

 From my experience,not that very extent, GPS stands for: Global Positioning System,meaning a a direct reception link to a satellite signal (line of sight), hence Satellite GPS. There are those versions i have seen in cellphones,but to my belief those are limited to cellphone signal.Not good at all for hiking in the wilderness where you have a great chance of not gettting any cell signal.

 I have never heard of a none GPS device,but then again i could be wrong. But to what purpose would a GPS not work with a satellite signal?... ,it just does not make sense. Unless somebody here pulls a rabbit from a hat and posts a new version of none satellite connection GPS.

[badknees]

How can you tell it is a sattelite GPS or not?

 From my experience,not that very extent, GPS stands for: Global Positioning System,meaning a a direct reception link to a satellite signal (line of sight), hence Satellite GPS. There are those versions i have seen in cellphones,but to my belief those are limited to cellphone signal.Not good at all for hiking in the wilderness where you have a great chance of not gettting any cell signal.

 I have never heard of a none GPS device,but then again i could be wrong. But to what purpose would a GPS not work with a satellite signal?... ,it just does not make sense. Unless somebody here pulls a rabbit from a hat and posts a new version of none satellite connection GPS.

There are some hybrid GPS systems that use cellular, WI-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Some download maps, and some have a DVD with maps. If you use an A-GPS (Assisted GPS) system with cellular support only, it is dependent on good cellular coverage.

[iCe]

A lot of newer phones have GPS receivers built in them and make use of satellites. They can also use the cell phone signal and triangulate between towers. my iPhone has a GPS chip... Personally... I go to BBNP to get away from all that junk   so I'm good with a map and compass for hiking. I have been trying out a data logger so I can sync coords to my images (photographer) but so far I have mixed feelings about it's usefulness.

(we are turning into a duck Tracy world)
  hmmm... the software seems to prefer duck to the shortened version of Richard...

[txhiker]

When I bought my first handheld GPS (about 5 years ago) I used to use it almost every time when backpacking. With time though I've started just leaving it at home because it is an extra weight. Unless I am concerned about getting lost, it will stay in the car or at home.

I have a car GPS which I use on long trips because I like to know how long till I get somewhere and because it offers info on food/hotels/attractions etc. I always regardless of if a car trip or backpacking trip have paper maps with me and know how to read them.

On the popular trails in Big Bend there is no need for a GPS however when going on more remote trails in the park or on trails that don't really have a trail, it could come in handy. I've noticed that when I take the GPS with me backpacking I spend a lot of time looking at it and checking distances and nearby stuff on the map (mountains, roads, springs, rivers etc) vs looking at the scenery. So I kinda like it..but I kinda don't. It really depends on where I am and what I'm doing.

Overall, they are fun toys to play with and if your husband is a techno junkie, let him get one and you'll get to play with it too when you feel like it. Just like my wife and her iphone.