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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Mr._NSX on January 07, 2004, 03:22:41 PM

Title: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Mr._NSX on January 07, 2004, 03:22:41 PM
Im thinking of getting this one (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005OLY8.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)  for 200 from Sam's.
Anyone else got or thinking of getting GPS?
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: hcgalvin on January 07, 2004, 08:23:34 PM
We do! :)

We are avid Geocachers:

http://www.geocaching.com/

and we have a Garmin Etrex Vista:


(http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexVista/graphics/visatBig.jpg)
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexVista/

We went with Garmin over Magellan because we heard that there was more "compatibilty" with Garmin, and that they are more "widespread". Magellan might have some good stuff out there now though. We've had our Etrex for almost two years, and it still works great! We have found over 400 geocaches!

It also works great to find out where the heck you are when you are out trailriding in the mountains and you decide to turn down some cool looking road. We have Garmin's Mapsource Roads and Recreation program, and when that is installed on the GPS, it seems to show all the little back roads, creeks, and trails. It's neat.

Heather
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Rhinoman on January 07, 2004, 08:35:20 PM
Not yet. I would like to hear about what set ups people have. Who has theirs linked to a laptop or PDA? Does anyone use WGS84? A couple of us over here are considering entering the Hungarian GPS challenge in December.
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Charlie on January 07, 2004, 08:46:52 PM
I’d suggest looking at what mapping is available for your area and its cost  before you buy a GPS I have a Magellan myself  but most people think the Garmin are easier to use but this is less important if you get mapping model.
Charlie
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: standog on January 07, 2004, 11:07:24 PM
I use the Garmin Etrex Summit, My brother inlaw has the vista. I have used it all over the world and feel it is by far the best for back country use. It does not have street maps but that is what rand Mcnalley is for.  On a side note bieng in the Military we use the magellan not sure what model (I dont use it). They have alot of trouble with them in thick woods or when there is not a clear sky. I always bring my personnel GPS when I have to go the field.  If you want one for water ways then go with magellan, for back county any garmin.
Just my 2 cents

Clay
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Zukipilot on January 07, 2004, 11:36:24 PM
I have the DeLorme topo map software at work. It will link with GPS units but I have not tried it yet. Has any one used that software with a GPS unit?
Zig
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: lil_Truck on January 08, 2004, 01:06:40 AM
I have the "Magellan SporTrak".  My wife bought it for me for christmas a year ago from "Sam's".  It came with a CD for maps and a cord for the computer.

It's the only one I've ever used but it seems to work great for me.  I was very supprised how well it worked when off wheeling.  I've wheeled in very thick tree cover and haven't had a problem.

I can conect it to my computer and down load rides that I've tracked and can up load different maps and places that I wanted to go back to.

I do wish it had a larger memery.  When loading up maps it gets full in a hurry.  I'd like to do the whole state but it wont fit.  But the areas I do have in it, I can enter a address and it will get me rate there.

I've ordered off their web sight a holder and sigeret lighter plug so I don't have to keep changing the batterys.
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: brlj on January 08, 2004, 04:32:37 AM
Hey Zig have you seen that site that has Windrock gps info for download?

http://www.tommyrhea.com/gps.htm

Theres the site

Later,
Bill

Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Zukipilot on January 08, 2004, 04:37:20 AM
I havent seen that, thanks 8) I'll have to try it out before "The Ride" ;)
Zig
Check you PM
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Z3bra on January 08, 2004, 05:20:30 AM
If you find something at a junkyard with an On-Star unit in it, grab it. (the on-star box that is)  They have a pretty nice Motorola GPS unit in them and there's a website that shows how to solder on a serial connection to hook up to a laptop.

It does lack for the convenience of a hand held but do a google search for hacking On-Star, there's a couple pages that go into what vehicles to look for etc and how to pull the whole thing off.  I want to get a cigarette lighter adapter for my notebook and make a mounting arm, to put it on.  Overkill yeah but then I can use the aux input on my stereo and use it for MP3's off the hard drive too.
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: Maiden Hell on January 08, 2004, 06:59:09 AM
 :o  Wow, those things are nifty!  I use maps and I'm pretty damn good with them.  Plus I don't venture to far from civilization.  :P
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: jonald on January 08, 2004, 07:42:33 AM
I have a Garmin GPS III that I bought in a pawn shop for $50 when they were going for $350.  It has served me well.  

I used to use it for search and rescue.  Those of us with GPSs would track our searches, then download them into the IC laptop to log what areas had been searched.

I have tracked mine with a laptop and it is a great way to go but you really need to have it mounted securely and convieniently, which can be dificult.

I can't load maps into mine, only from it to the PC.

If I were shopping for one now, I would look for a GPS III+ or GPS V (both Garmins) that I could load maps into.  A used one could probably be found for cheap.

And they make great speedometers when your tire size is off.
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on January 08, 2004, 12:54:50 PM
NOPE NONE HERE...YEA I DO GET SIDETRACKED OR SHOULD I SAY LOST QUITE OFTEN ,,,,BUT I ALLWAYS SEEM TO MAKE IT HOME  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: SpinalTap on January 10, 2004, 12:21:40 AM
I have a Lowrance GlobalMap 100 handheld. Its gotten me home a few times ;)
Title: Re: Anyone here got a GPS?
Post by: sidekick_nut on January 10, 2004, 12:31:35 AM
I have a Garmin Rino 120 GPS/FRS unit, linked to my IBM ThinkPad running Fugawi and Canada Streets maps, works great.  Just got it last week so am still on a learning curve.
Title: Re: Anyone hear got a GPS?
Post by: mrfuelish on January 10, 2004, 09:02:32 AM
I have the magellan 315 with a cd with over 500k uploadable points of interest, use it all the time. have had it for almost five years it was 115.00 new on sale. I know that big five has package deals all the time for around 187.00 that list for prob. 465.00 with all the acc. my cd was 40.00 and the comp. cord was 23.00 and 20.00 for the leather case. I just updated the firmware in it, it was a pain but mine was so old I had to do it twice but now it is like the new ones but for free! ;D