[Cdt-l] GPS and Maps (howzit done?)

Wed Dec 9 17:25:47 CST 2009

In 2008, I hiked with the Colorado 400t.  This was an extravagant model at the time, but I suspect the Oregon (or maybe the Colorado) should become more popular next season.  The Colorado came preloaded with the 100k maps, and the 24K maps were not available yet.  One annoying thing is that the preloaded maps could not be uploaded to my computer, and I had to buy another copy to see my tracks on a map.  I wish I had bought my unit and practiced with it a little before my trip.  I never figured how to save my tracks to the card (without erasing the old tracks.)

It sounds to me like the Vista / 24k map combo will not be a popular combo unless the maps become cheap.  To make use of the 24k maps you probably want the larger screen of the Oregon/Colorado.  

I would recommend a screen protector for any screen.  Mine scratched in the first few days, and then stayed pretty constant the rest of the way.  

Jim

> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 21:05:05 -0700
> From: Jack Haskel <norcalhiker at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Cdt-l] GPS and Maps (howzit done?)
> To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <2898021E-48EB-4BFA-A204-BB338F70B6F1 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Hey Ya'll,
> 
> I'm buying my GPS for the CDT 2010. I'm leaning towards the Garmin Vista HCx. But what do I do for maps for the unit? Do people really buy the TOPO Mountain South, Central and North 24k memory cards? That's $300 extra dollars! 
> 
> Cheers,
> jack
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 08:52:56 -0700
> From: Frank Gilliland <frankgilliland at comcast.net>
> Subject: [Cdt-l] GPS and Maps (howzit done?)
> To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <13C5FEEE-A100-4015-87A5-FD5D16606402 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Jack,
> 
> First off Good luck on your 2010 hike. I hope to see you in Wyoming and Colorado......
> 
> Well I see that Garmin has once again changed everything concerning their software. I have the HCx and really am happy with how the unit works. Good reception, good battery life and so far no big issues. I am using the older Topo US 2008 map software. This map software is cranky and sometimes aggravating. But it does provide a fairly good topo map and tools to load and unload data.
> 
> Now Garmin has a version called: Topo United States 100K (Similar in format to USGS 1:100,000 scale on topographic paper maps) and regional versions called: Topo U.S. 24K (Similar in format to USGS 1:24,000-scale topographic paper maps) for $130 each. Wow that seems expensive.....Get the DVD DO NOT GET THE MICRO SD!!!!!!!! of what ever version(s) you purchase. The DVD does require a PC, but it gives you much more flexibility. IMO
> 
> That said, Garmin (and all other gps makers) have made operation and user interface into a royal pain. Much like Scientific calculators that have more functions than the average user needs. All GPS units are full of functions and sub menus that are only fully understood by the ultra geek or the technicians who wrote the code!
> 
> Every time I figure out how to add a map or a track or a route or a way point or a POI, then Garmin tweaks their software to the point that I can't explain it to anyone. 
> 
> So there is no simple answer. You have to just bite the bullet and buy a GPS, buy the software and learn as you go. Your knowledge of how to use the GPS may be a matter of getting lost or not. If you make a mistake at home it is just money. If you make a mistake in the field, well you know what the results could be.
> 
> I have hiked all of the PCT and now parts of the CDT and I am really glad to have the GPS as a "Second Opinion". Always have a set of maps and compass (no batteries Required) 
> 
> If any one has any specific questions about Garmin's or how to load a Track of the CDT or convert waypoints to POI points etc., feel free to contact me off-list:
> 
> Frank "StarMan"
> 
> frankgilliland (at) comcast.net 
> 
> ************************************************************
> I'm buying my GPS for the CDT 2010. I'm leaning towards the Garmin Vista HCx. But what do I do for maps for the unit? Do people really buy the TOPO Mountain South, Central and North 24k memory cards? That's $300 extra dollars! 
> 
> Cheers,
> jack
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 09:17:17 -0700
> From: Jack Haskel <norcalhiker at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] GPS and Maps (howzit done?)
> To: Frank Gilliland <frankgilliland at comcast.net>
> Cc: cdt-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <54C13FC4-D565-417D-A9B2-F0BDFA32AB25 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Thanks for the great info ya'll. 
> 
> I assume that everyone uses the Topo 24k maps right? Or are people talking about loading the Topo 100k and just using that? 
> 
> The 24k seems like it'd be the functional option, as it's a much more detailed scale. But that's the expensive route. I don't quite understand the advice on not buying the preloaded micro-sd cards. It's the same price to buy it as a download, or buy it as a preloaded card. And that price mysteriously changed from $99 yesterday to $86 each today. Is there a benefit to not buying the preloaded cards?
> 
> I'm a pretty experienced GPS user, although I don't have much experience with a mapping GPS. I waypointed the entire PCT (my track is at backpacker.com/pct) and used one to navigate for a few years as a wilderness guide. I totally agree, GPS is more confusing that it needs to be!
> 
> Cheers,
> Jack
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Cdt-l mailing list
> Cdt-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
> 
> 
> End of Cdt-l Digest, Vol 27, Issue 8
> ************************************

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/cdt-l/attachments/20091209/195ad115/attachment.html 