Sunday, March 18, 2012

News Feed Comments
You are here: Home / 2006 / Archives for February 2006

Archives for February 2006

Waypoint Averaging

February 15, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Mobile Crossing did a piece the other day on waypoint averaging (see their February 7, 2006 entry), and it struck me that many readers might not know about this.  The idea is that your GPS may only be  delivering an accuracy of a certain number of feet, but if your GPS can take multiple readings and average them, you can get more accurate waypoint placement.

Many receivers, including my Garmin 60CS, have this function built into them. You can set your GPS down at a trail junction and let it take a number of readings. The UseNet group sci.geo.satellite-nav elaborated on this in a recent thread, discussing doing waypoint averaging across multiple outings and the use of GarTrip software to properly "weight" readings from multiple trips.

Filed Under: Best of the boards

Garmin eTrex Summit Review

February 15, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Etrex_summit_1

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.

The Garmin eTrex Summit is basically the same GPS as the basic yellow Garmin eTrex, with two added features — a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Just like the basic eTrex though, the Summit comes with no PC interface cable. If you want that, you’ll have to pay extra for it.

14 readers at Amazon gave the Summit an average 4 out of 5 star review. Here’s what other reviewers are saying about the eTrex Summit:

read more

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

GPS Mapping reviewed by The Map Room

February 12, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Gps_mapping_1

The Map Room has posted a review of my book, GPS Mapping – Make Your Own Maps. Also, I never mentioned that Midwest Book Review has named GPS Mapping a “Reviewer’s Choice.” And if you didn’t catch news of this one, GPS Mapping was also reviewed by GIS Monitor. Finally, you can also read customer reviews at Amazon.

For more information, here is a link to the table of contents and another to chapter one. Thanks to everyone who has helped make GPS Mapping such a success. We keep bouncing back and forth with GPS for Dummies as the number one GPS book on Amazon. Not bad considering the fact that this book has had no marketing muscle behind it; it’s all been word of mouth.

In addition to Amazon, you can also buy GPS Mapping – Make Your Own Maps direct from the publisher, who is throwing in expedited U.S. shipping for free.

Filed Under: More GPS News

Garmin Forerunner 305 Review

February 10, 2006 By 32 Comments

Forerunner_305_review

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For information on current models, check out our GPS for runners page.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 updates the Forerunner 301, and there are a number of improvements that go beyond the stylish appearance, such as the addition of customizable data screens. But the thing likely to wow everyone is the SiRFSTAR III chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors!

read more

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: ,

Garmin Rino 530 Review

February 9, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Rino_530

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.

The Garmin Rino 530 is the flagship model in Garmin’s product line that marries GPS with a two-way radio. Identical to the Rino 520 in all other respects, the 530 adds a NOAA weather radio, barometric altimeter and electronic compass.

Here’s what others are saying:

read more

Filed Under: Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews

Garmin GPSMap 60 Review

February 6, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Gpsmap_60
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current recommendations, see our handheld GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin GPSMap 60 is the low-end (and lowest cost) unit in the GPSMap line. It could be the ideal GPS solution for the budget conscious outdoors enthusiast. And it will even auto-route on highways with Garmin’s City Select software.

Lets take a quick look at the differences in the GPSMap 60 product line. The GPSMap 60C adds a color screen and bumps the memory from 24 MB to 56 MB, while the GPSMap 60CS goes even further, including a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.

 

Here’s what others are saying about the GPSMap 60:

read more

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

U.S. plans massive GPS jamming tests

February 4, 2006 By 6 Comments

Gps_interruption

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted dates and times for GPS "service interruptions." The purpose is "to conduct GPS interference tests, exercises and training activities that involve jamming of GPS receivers." Affected locations are China Lake, CA, White Sands Missile Range, NM, Cape Canaveral, FL and the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Though the testing is brief (a few hours at a time), it is of multiple day duration. And don’t think it won’t affect you. Check out the map of the China Lake test area to the left. This is a massive area, defined by the red range ring (230 nautical mile radius) and blue lines (testing does not extend beyond longitude 115W and 120W). As shown, it includes all of L.A., Joshua Tree, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Death Valley and Yosemite. I’m hoping the area really isn’t that large. Please, feel free to comment and tell me why it isn’t this extensive. There are some caveats in the test announcement; here is the full text:

read more

Filed Under: Best of the boards, Hardware

Garmin Geko 201 Review

February 3, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Geko_201
The Garmin Geko 201 GPS is one of the smallest, lightest weight handheld receivers available. A mere 2.3 ounces, this unit won’t slow you down in the field. The primary differences between this and other Gekos is as follows — the 201 offers a data port, allowing you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between it and a  computer. The Geko 101 doesn’t offer this feature; the Geko 301 adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. None of the Gekos allow you to load maps.

Here’s what others are saying about the Geko 201:

read more

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware
« Previous Page