Dave,
I like your method. I have forgotten do you have mapping software to print out a map? I have noticed with my 76C that when I print the map out after venturing under heavy canopy there are fewer points on the map. Stopping for a couple of minutes to give the unit a chance for a better satellite lock and more waypoints along the track create a better map.
A little off the subject. Yesterday I went for a walk taking my gps along. I had it on for the entire walk, but carried it in a small padded camera case. I spotted and watched a flock of wild turkeys. I stood there visualizing the headshot. I started walking away, and turned my head for one last look. I should have been watching my footing. My ankle rolled, and I fell like a buck shot in the spine. I broke my fall with my hands. Sure wished I was wearing my nomex gloves. Torn up both hands, and knocked two holes in my jeans. The double knee BDUs would have been nice. My jeans had a big hole in the knee and another one up near the pocket. The right thumb was bleeding, and I stopped it by using my handkerchief as a pressure bandage. I was concerned about my gps but it was unharmed because it was in the tight fitting, padded, camera case I carry it in. From the damage I suffered the screen of the gps could have eaten big one if not protected.
I was about a third of a mile from home and almost turned around, but why waste a good walk because I failed to watch my footing. I added a couple of more miles. Deer season is only a month away now. I cleaned up the scrapes when I got home. I was stiff this morning so I only walked a mile and then came home and did five miles on the stationary bike. I do not want the knees to get stiff. They are scabbing over nicely.
My thoughts are that one should protect his gps from damage when possible. If one is out in the brush and the gps is hanging from the neck it can hang up in the brush, or get busted if the carrier takes a hard fall. I can remember sliding down a step bank into a dry gulch one time. A "blue belly" lizard ran up my pants leg. At the time I had no idea what it was. I was wearing Fresco jeans, great heavy-duty work and hunting jeans. But open at the bottom. That critter would not have made it into my pants leg if I had BDU's on with the bottom of the leg pulled tight. The wall of the gulch was so steep I could hardly stand, but one hand was holding my rifle, and the other had the head of the critter in my pants. I squeezed the life out of the critter, which made it above the knee. I carefully slide the sling over my shoulder then open my pants with one hand. I was afraid I was going to find a small rattlesnake. I was happy to find one very dead lizard.
On one of my gps units I have a long neck strap. In cooler weather I will slip the unit into a enter shirt pocket. The gps does not get beat around this way.
