Author Topic: Got me a new GPS (Read 1114 times)

DELETED · « **on:** November 01, 2005, 11:31:41 AM »

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Rogue Ram · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2005, 05:51:13 PM »

Hey Chris, let us know how this thing works out. I'm wanting a GPS fairly soon and was looking at the same thing. Ease of use???

RR

DELETED · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2005, 02:03:02 AM »

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Siskiyou · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2005, 08:32:24 AM »

Geocaching is a great way of building up your expertise with a gps.

Lets hear more about your Legend C. I have one of the old Legends and I am still get good service from it. The Legend C was going to be my next step. I had very good experiences when travelling across the West with the original Legend and it's basemap. The Legend C improves upon the basemap and the ability to store more special maps.

One advantage some other models have over it is larger screen size. I did not find screen size a problem with my original Legend but others might. As my eyes grow older they grow dimmer. But there is a real advantage to the Legend, and Legend C and that is size. It fits my medium size had great. My #3 granddaughter loves it. There is no getting it away from her when we are out geocaching.

Fresh batteries should give you are a couple of full days out in the field with room to spare. I use rechargeables and toss them in the charger when I come in at night.

While I ended up buying a 76C I would have been happy with the Legend C or 60C. The problem is that there will always be something new around corner.

DELETED · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2005, 05:17:54 AM »

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Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2005, 10:01:00 AM »

cknight98: I have only been on the ground in your State "many" years ago as a kid and I have flown in and out of Nashville in the last few years. If I recall correctly there is a lot of heavy tree canopy. Sounds like the unit perform good under those circumstances.

DELETED · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2005, 05:06:12 AM »

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victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2005, 06:42:27 AM »

CK: Do you have Mapsource and Topo Guide?

DELETED · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2005, 12:52:35 PM »

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Siskiyou · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2005, 03:46:21 PM »

I believe there is an option with some of the Color Garmin units that allows you to load a map from two different software packages covering the same chunk of dirt. You can then chose the one you want to use at that given time.

From my Garmin 76C manual. unknown if your Legend C has a similar option.

"This page of Map Setup features displays a list of downloaded detailed maps such as topographic, marine charts, and MapSource maps with auto-routing capability. Use the ROCKER key to highlight the desired map and then the ENTER key to show it on the map display or turn it of."

I believe the 60C also has this option, but I do not know about the Legend C. Take a look at your manual. Should have reference to Map Setup.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:57:02 AM »

That's good to know.......I'm still using the old E-trex Legend......I've got map source but don't have the topo.........Do you find it accurate and useful here in the hills of TN? Is the topo a memory hog?

Hopefully Garmin will fix this in a later code load and you'll be able to use both at the same time......It would be sweet if you could overlay the metroguide with the topo..........with different detail options for both layers........

Siskiyou · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2005, 04:31:06 PM »

The problem with most of the Topo mapping software is the parent source is USGS data. Much of it has not been brought up to date in the last 20 years.

Garmin's MapSource Topo is not a memory hog. But if you selected all of the Los Angeles, and Orange County maps it would use a lot of memory because of all the road systems and other information. If you are selecting more rural areas Topo uses less space then the street software.

Currently I have slightly less then 8MB of Topo maps loaded on my Garmin Legend. This equals 35 or 36 sheets of Topo maps. Otherwise, millions of acres. The following link will give you the average map size for Garmin software. As you can see there is little developement on many of the maps I have loaded. On an average Topo maps will take .24MB. So if your gps has 8MB of memory it should hold around 33 Topo Maps. This depends on how built-up the areas from which you select your maps are.

msar24 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 15, 2005, 04:35:08 PM »

The USGS maps are outdated, but going out and finding what needs to be updated and adding it to your own maps is a great way to learn to use the GPS with the software.

I picked up Microsoft Streets and Trips today. Combine that with your GPS and your laptop and it will give you voice directions just like the new models that are being advertised on TV. And if you use your laptop the screen is a lot bigger. The software also has all of the fun stuff like gas stations, restaurants, etc. and it very up to date. The software will also go to the internet and update with the latest major road destruction, I mean construction, so you can try to avoid those areas. IT is bulky but it works. And the driving directions can be printed just like going to Mapquest. The software was $40 with a $10 mail in rebate.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2005, 09:05:03 AM »

I am on my second version of Microsoft Streets and Trips.(2005) There is a built in delay of about fifty feet in it. But it is a great tool.

In regards to Topo software, I just create a track and save it on USGS State Series Maps. Works great. I also print it on MapSource US Topo. But the USGS State Series provides a better working map. For those who do not have the software they can go to www.topozone.com and enter their lat/long and come up with a paper topo map.

Most of my hunting is conducted on National Forests. In the days before gps I always used an updated Forest map along side my topo map. Now days I have added a gps. They are hard to get but most land management agencies have some inhouse topo maps that are up todate. Old Topographic maps are of value today. When conducting S&R operations they provide you with the locations of old mines, and other developements that are not shown on todays maps. Now days when old air shafts are found a waypoint needs to be created, and then put into a master file along with notification so the shaft can be sealed.

One of the keys is to us the same NAD for your waypoint as the mapping system you are using. MapSource is NAD83/84 while many maps are NAD27.