Topic: Anyone use GPS?

[c_kyle]

Wow, my thread came back.  I don't have a mount, so I just tie about 18" of 550 cord to the eTrex and to the tank bag, then toss it in the tank bag; or, I just put it in my jacket pocket.  I ride around, going down whatever road looks interesting until I've had enough riding for the day; then, turn on the GPS to see where I'm at.  I usually glance at it a few times and head back home.  I  got the eTrex because it's small, has mapping capabilities, and can be used for multiple activities.  I mounted a bracket in my Jeep and now use it to tell me how to get out of the woods when I'm ready to leave.

This little eTrex sure beats the hell out of a PLGGR.

[Bob Wessner]

PLGGR

??

[c_kyle]

PLGGR

??

 


Yes, it's as huge as it looks.  It weighs 4lbs and sucks.  Of course, the Army probably uses something much better now; I've been out for 9 years.

[SD750F]

The PLGGR GPS receiver is a military rated unit that also has the internal algorithms to decode the Selective Availability (SA) to provide position solutions with a much higher accuracy. But the encoded SA is not active at this time so any good GPS receiver can determine a position with a fairly high degree of accuracy.

A good handheld GPS will withstand the vibrations of being attached to a motorcycle. And if anyone wants to look at Garmin's prices I am a dealer and can provide relatively low prices for the entire non-aviation line of Garmin receivers. Just email me privately.

Scott

[Bob Wessner]

can determine a position with a fairly high degree of accuracy.

I was amazed at this accuracy on mine, and I'm sure most other current devices. It gives three verbal warnings that your exit is coming up. When it finally says, "exit the highway," you are literally shown to be at the start of the exit ramp.

[Bob Wessner]

Just thought I would toss out some feedback on a recent GPS purchase. Keep in mind that my amazement is as a result of my experience with a nearly 10 yr. old Magellan unit, two color, memory so limited that it only showed major roads. When you got off them, it looked like you were driving through a field.

Anyway, the new one is a Mio C220, compact enough to slip in a pocket, acquires sat signals even in the house (though it takes a bit longer), 65 colors, nice sized screen, voice directions, smart zoom (at highway speeds it auto zooms out, as you slow, or approach a route change it zooms in), smart back-lighting (at dawn and dusk it automatically changes the back-lighting scheme to reduce glare), will run for 4-5 hours on the internal battery and the best is the level of detail. The maps show even forest service roads and in the U.P. (Michigan), where we are headed in a week, it even shows the dirt road leading to the Hoop-N-Holler bar at the north end of the lake . I have to check it out when we get there, but I think it even reflects folks unpaved drives to their cottages around the lake.

I was impressed with the features for $170 considering others are 2-3 times as much. It has no built-in MP3 or anything and I don't need those anyway. It could be used on a bike and I believe their web site indicates there is an optional bar mount. I haven't found the mount locally yet as I believe it is a U.K. product.

I would normally not consider a GPS for the bike, but I can see some value in at least having it along. I usually just head off in some direction and wander around. It could come in handy to plot a fast/direct route home from the middle of nowhere, plus, I found while driving around testing, it shows every stream, lake, etc. Some lakes are screened behind trees along the road that you would never know were even there otherwise.

Anyway, just thought I would mention this for consideration if anyone is looking at GPS units and wasn't interested in sinking a ton of money into it. My only complaints are the interface could be a bit more intuitive. Since it isn't you will need the manual which is on a CD, not printed.

Though I did a good deal of testing/learning before we departed on vacation, based on my experience with the MIO C220, I would retract my recommendation. It's a shame, as it is a nice, compact easy to use unit. Unfortunately, on one stop going north to the U.P., I went to suspend it and received an instant error message repleat with memory locations and it locked up (thanks Bill Gates or Mio or both ). On the return trip after plotting a simple A to B route, it locked-up, no messages, just stopped tracking and updating the screen. Had to "reboot" in all cases. When I get some time I'll reseach if there are any software or firmware updates to be had, but as it stands, I wouldn't recommend it.