Which GPS to buy?

[jyoutz]

I frequently use GPS on the job as a forester. I have a Garmin GPS V that I use regularly. It always performs, anywhere, always captures the satellite signals and also outputs accurate data. It's easy to use and has a fair amount of data storage capability. If you get this unit, I recommend you also get the remote antennae. I always tape the antannae to the roof of vehicles, helipoters, etc.. using fiberglass tape. Then I have never had a blocked signal. I have mapped some of the largest wildfires in the western US during the past few years with this unit. I also recommend that you purchase the terrain navigator mapping software. This is easy to use and very useful. If you have any other questions, just ask. By the way, do not get the GPS III. It has a convoluted and hard to use menu system. The V is a very big improvement

 

[GaryM]

Thanks, I've bookmarked the site for future, I hope not too future, use.

Gary

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Gary,

I got mine from www.ephotoclub.com online. It sounds like www.gpsdiscount.com might be a better deal with second day shipping and a free t-shirt for a couple bucks more. For what it's worth, if I had it to do over, that's probably what I'd do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Also, this ephotoclub outfit is real big on calling and selling accessories and such, from what I've read. I called them this AM and had that same experience but just told them it's a gift and I've spent all I'm going to spend on it. I'll post a follow up and let you know what happens on delivery and such.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Anyone know of a GPS unit for exact elevations, like within 1 foot or so? We are trying to determine if buildings are in a flood zone. The flood maps will give you a known elevation for flood zone. The GPS units we have tried vary buy 10-30 feet while standing still and will not give us the correct elevation.

Thanks

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Look here for a discussion on GPSr altitude accuracy.

" it is extremely unwise to overly depend on the altitude readout of a GPS. Those who use GPS altitude to aid in landing their small plane should have their insurance policies paid up at all times " /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I did some checking on the next level of GPS accuracy, like is used in some agricultural applications. It appears that Omnistar offers units beginning at $3345. However, you still can only expect a vertical accuracy of 5-8':

" The better "Commercial" GPS receivers can achieve horizontal errors of less than a half-meter 67 to 73% of the time, less than a meter 95 to 97% of the time and less than 1.5 meters 99% of the time. Vertical error will be 2 to 2.5 times greater than the horizontal error. "

 

[jyoutz]

I believe that the high-end Trimbles ($10K +) are engineering grade and will provide elevational accuracy. We have 2 at work and they are advertised to provide half-meter accuracy. Not cheap though.

 

[PBMAX]

OkeeDon, I have the 2003 version and found it to be pretty accurate my self. EXCEPT in Boston, man the street change there so fast I don't know how people now were to go...

The GPS that comes with this can aslo be adapted to work with a PALM PILOT with the correct software.

I have used mine about 10 states so far and some times the hotels I stay at are even shown on the map by name.

The only problem so far is that in areas with lots of Sky Scrapers u can loose the signal for short periods.

I used to use a GARMIN II with the Street Atlas 99 and it worked really well.
Garmin sold an adapter that would both power the gps and connect it to a pc via 9pin serial. I'd imagine they still do this with the newer versions.

OkeeDon let me know how you like the 2004 input interface I'm not to thrilled with the 2003 because it puts every thing at the bottom of the page and it's is more difficult to see while galncing at it as you drive.

 

[RayDiers]

I have also been using Street Atlas on laptops for several years. I am now considering buying an iPAQ Pocket PC from HP and the new BlueTooth GPS package from Delorme. BlueTooth means the GPS antenna and the Pocket PC will communicate wirelessly. There is a version of Street Atlas for Pocket PC also. Pocket PC will also give me multiple uses such as expense tracking, keeping my job schedule and maybe in the near future be able to accept credit cards remotely.

P.S. The interface for 2004 is the same as for 2003.

Ray

 

[TresCrows]

"Another place that I would like to use the GPS is possibly while flying, but this is not a great priority right now (I am currently not flying the small airplanes and the larger airplanes I fly have fairly new GPS systems). I understand that some of these smaller GPS units can't handle ground speeds greater than 150 or 200 knots."

For flying you really need a dedicated unit or one of the PDA based systems like "AnyWhere Map" which both contain a Jeppson data base system. I use a Garmin III Pilot and it has served me well. Very comforting in the cloud to use it as a "cockpit resource" to back up and double check other nav systems, especially since it is more accurate and provides a better presentation in many cases. Most of the non-aviation units do have speed limitations, the aviation units do not. I have used the Ipaq pocket computer with AnyWhere map software using my Garmin III as the GPS source, very impressive package.
On a different note, some of you may have seen the artical in Time magazine, "What Our Troops Want for Christmas", they listed a number of things like camel back canteens, better armor jackets, helmet liners, GMR/FRS radios, GPS units, kevlar blanket etc. They also listed civilian sources for all these things as well.
My young friend there even though he is in construction and supply is very close to Bagdad and there have been mortar attacks and such that he has been involved in. I send him supplies like magazines, snacks, drink mixes (Gatoraid, Koolaid etc) and all that and I am just sending 10 GRS radios and 2 GPS units for him to distribute to those who need them. The GPS units are about 150 dollars, the Garmin E-trex and the GRS radios can be found for as cheap as 30 dollars for a two pack, Best Buy a week ago. I am trying to track those helmet liners now. Anyway, if you fellows have left over Christmas money our troops are a good place to spend it. Oh, shipping is expensive, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and bear it. J

 

[OkeeDon]

<font color="blue">...they listed a number of things like camel back canteens, better armor jackets, helmet liners, GMR/FRS radios, GPS units, kevlar blanket etc. </font>

This is really not intended to be a political comment, but a legitimate question.

A little background for the question: The recent supplemental budget bill was for $87 Billion. Of that, $1.8 Billion was for Afghanistan, which I wholeheartedly support, and think they deserve more. About $18 Billion was to rebuild Iraq, which I wish we didn't have to do, but since we're there, it makes sense, and I supported it. The remaining $67 Billion was reported to be for the troops, and I support that without any reservations.

I read the same lists that you mentioned from Time magazine, and you're a better man than I am, because you actually did something about it. Makes me a little ashamed, because while I don't know anyone over there, I should have thought of something like that myself. I'll look into it.

But, here's the question -- $67 Billion for the troops is a heck of a lot of money. If those boys and girls still need all that stuff, what the heck are we spending it on? I remember a lot of breakdowns for the $18 Billion, everything from garbage systems to water plants to new Zip codes, but I don't remember ever seeing how the $67 Billion was going to be spent. Are our troops actually getting any of it? If it isn't enough, we ought to know.