nklr this years darwin awards

[gpokluda]

Over the past week, I was using my wife's Garmin eTrex Vista to measure some running routes. It didn't take long to realize just how flawed this handheld device is. Most days were partly cloudy and the etrex could barely maintain satellite connectivity even with fresh batteries every use. What amazed me was that you could be traveling on a dog legged route between point A and point B. If you lost satellite tracking at point A and didn't connect with a satellite again until point B, it would calculate straightline distance with out any warning. So let's say you it's 5 miles by trail from A to B, but 3 miles straightline. When you got to point B, you are under the impression that you went only 3 miles. I know people who put there faith in these things and I feel sorry for them because one day they are going to get in a bind. For me, the best place for this type of GPS is with the batteries taken out and stuff in the sock drawer. Gino

[f_sikorski]

Interesting Gino! I have no experience using a GPS. Have you had better luck or other experience using a different make or type of GPS unit? Frank

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "gpokluda" wrote: > Over the past week, I was using my wife's Garmin eTrex Vista to > measure some running routes. It didn't take long to realize just how > flawed this handheld device is. Most days were partly cloudy and the > etrex could barely maintain satellite connectivity even with fresh > batteries every use. What amazed me was that you could be traveling > on a dog legged route between point A and point B. If you lost > satellite tracking at point A and didn't connect with a satellite > again until point B, it would calculate straightline distance with > out any warning. So let's say you it's 5 miles by trail from A to B, > but 3 miles straightline. When you got to point B, you are under the > impression that you went only 3 miles. > > I know people who put there faith in these things and I feel sorry > for them because one day they are going to get in a bind. > > For me, the best place for this type of GPS is with the batteries > taken out and stuff in the sock drawer. > > Gino

[gpokluda]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "f_sikorski" wrote:

> Interesting Gino! I have no experience using a GPS. Have you had > better luck or other experience using a different make or type of

GPS

> unit? > > Frank

Haven't used another unit, but a co-worker has another eTrex that I will try out tomorrow on my run. I took the eTrex out on my lunch hour run, a 4.25 mile loop. It took the GPS almost 5 minutes just to acquire satellites. Then I started my run. The eTrex lost reception 14 times over the course of the run. It also had stated that I had stopped for almost 3 minutes. Finally, it measured the course (which I have measured on my moutain bike with a bike computer at 4.25 miles) at 3.82 miles. An error of just under half a mile in just four miles! Gino

[cosmoboj]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "gpokluda" wrote:

>snipped > I know people who put there faith in these things and I feel sorry > for them because one day they are going to get in a bind. > > For me, the best place for this type of GPS is with the batteries > taken out and stuff in the sock drawer. > > Gino

Well that solves a mystery, that must be what my wife has in her sock drawer, not sure of the model but it is pink, when I installed the batteries I could barely hold on to the thing as it vibrated so badly (can see why people hard wire these things). I stood in the middle of my front yard and held it skyward but have no idea how to read it, meanwhile, the mailman came by and I told him I thought I needed a Ram Mount.Not sure when they're gonna resume delivery .......cosmo

[klrz4ever]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "f_sikorski" wrote:

> Interesting Gino! I have no experience using a GPS. Have you had > better luck or other experience using a different make or type of

GPS

> unit? > > Frank >

I've got the eTrex Legend and so far it's working quite well. Last December I parked my KLR at a backcountry campsite, stashed my helmet and jacket in the bushes nearby, marked the spot on the GPS, then headed out for a day hike. I got engrossed in the 'average mph' function, so was checking the display constantly trying to keep my average up. It never lost reception that I could see and came up with a reasonable mileage based on what the USFS has posted. My only complaint is the blisters I got after 11 miles trying to keep my average speed up. I've read the eTrex line isn't the best under a forest cover because the antenna is small, but mine never crapped out that I could see. It also worked OK deep in a canyon. Maybe Gino's just got a faulty unit. Or all those UFO's in NewMex are blocking his reception 8~) I'll try it on the KLR soon and see if I can beat Walt's 220 mph. __Arden Kysely

[kcuf_oohay_666]

I had the same problem with a magellan 4000 gps. At 10,000 ft at the top of a mountain, no trees, no clouds and it couldn't find any satalites. My Garmin III+ works perfect. I can drive down a dirt road saving the route. then down load it to my computer and it'll be within 10 feet of the road on the map.

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "gpokluda" wrote: > Over the past week, I was using my wife's Garmin eTrex Vista to > measure some running routes. It didn't take long to realize just how > flawed this handheld device is. Most days were partly cloudy and the > etrex could barely maintain satellite connectivity even with fresh > batteries every use. What amazed me was that you could be traveling > on a dog legged route between point A and point B. If you lost > satellite tracking at point A and didn't connect with a satellite > again until point B, it would calculate straightline distance with > out any warning. So let's say you it's 5 miles by trail from A to B, > but 3 miles straightline. When you got to point B, you are under the > impression that you went only 3 miles. > > I know people who put there faith in these things and I feel sorry > for them because one day they are going to get in a bind. > > For me, the best place for this type of GPS is with the batteries > taken out and stuff in the sock drawer. > > Gino

[gpokluda]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "klrz4ever" wrote: My only > complaint is the blisters I got ... > __Arden Kysely Just think of the blisters Cosmo got! Gino

[jon.sykes@ps.ge.com]

Lots of GPS bashing. I'm wondering where Gino had his GPS 'mounted' on his run? If it was in his hand or in a pocket or something that might have been the problem. I've run the basic yellow ($99) eTrex off and on for a year - it works just fine and seems like good value. I use mine mainly to record off road rides and saving places of interest/where I got lost as waypoints, then uploading the route to the computer later. I've used it in the city, in the garden, snowshoeing at 15 below zero, forested trails - even on airplanes and abroad. Seems if it can get a lock on just 3 satellites it will generate accuracy down to 30 feet or better. I'm only familiar with the yellow eTrex model - perhaps the more expensive Vista models have problems? You may want to check the manufacturer's website for a firmware update? There's no doubt that these things work but I'd never forgo taking a map as a backup to be safe.

[gpokluda]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., jon.sykes@p... wrote:

> Lots of GPS bashing. I'm wondering where Gino had his

GPS 'mounted' on his

> run? If it was in his hand or in a pocket or something that might

have been

> the problem.

I have it in the official Garmin holster clipped at my waist. Gino

[hens_p]

Gino: I have had a GPS since before they were cool; always have had Garmins. Here are my comments:

>Most days were partly cloudy and the > etrex could barely maintain satellite connectivity even with fresh > batteries every use.

The GPS should lock with no problem from the clouds. The GPS antenna *must* have a *very* clear view of the sky. So, if you had the unit in your tank bag or on a waist clip mount problems can occur. Heavy tree cover will cause a problem, but my experience is that trees are not a problem as long as you are moving. For a motorbike/pedalbike the handlebar mount works best.

>So let's say you it's 5 miles by trail from A to B, > but 3 miles straightline. When you got to point B, you are under

the

> impression that you went only 3 miles.

Kinda.... actually the Garmin unit only measures distance (the trip meter only clicks off miles) when the GPS is locked on. So, if you left point A, drove 1 mile [actual ground track], turned off the GPS (or lost lock), when you got to point B the GPS would tell you that you have traveled 1 mile.

> I know people who put there faith in these things and I feel sorry > for them because one day they are going to get in a bind.

Man, do I agree there. I have had my GPS on every continent (minus Aussie) in some extremely remote areas. The GPS is just a tool to help out; if anyone uses it to replace a map and compass they are nuts. The things do break and they do 'freak out', loose memory, etc. 100% trust in the GPS is 100% stupid! I would still be in the middle of the Sahara or Patagonia if I trusted the GPS 100%; both times the unit 'forgot' everything I taught it to get me to the next point.

> For me, the best place for this type of GPS is with the batteries > taken out and stuff in the sock drawer.

Or sell if to somebody that can tolerate the less than 100% technology. It's a fun tool; give it another chance. It has made adventure touring and adventure traveling a whole heap bunch more fun. With all the cool stuff you have reviewed, owned, etc. in the past; I would bet that the GPS is right up your alley. Don't give up.... Pat / Austin