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

[Jack Haskel]

Thanks for the helpful advice ya'll. To summarize some of what I've learned:

- The Garmin Colorado/Oregon GPS have added value as they include 100k maps at no extra charge. 
- Everyone that commented had used 100k maps, no one had used 24k maps. 
- Don't buy the preloaded microSD cards. Buying the CD and loading your own cards means you have a backup for the maps if you loose/damage the microSD card. 
- Out of Order's track file of the CDT is great, and can be sent to you by email from people on the list.
- There are free 24k maps available from http://www.miscjunk.org/ 


Some further questions....

- Really? Everyone uses 100k maps? It seems like the 24k maps would be SO much better. 
- Anyone have comments on the 24k maps from miscjunk.org ?
- Can anyone tell me more about Out of Orders track log? How come it's not available online?

I haven't read Yogi's comments on GPS as I'm waiting for her to update the guide. But I'm buying my GPS before I buy the guide. Anything in there that is important to know?

At the moment, the options are looking like:

- Colorado 400t is $300 on ebay, and I'll just use the preloaded maps. 
- The Legend and Vista end up being ~50-80 cheaper after I buy the 100k maps. 

    - jack

On Dec 9, 2009, at 9:41 PM, Sly wrote:

> While using the Wolf books I found a wrist watch altimeter to come in handy on several occasions and was able to make the right decision or correct a bad turn.  A few times I used a Garmin Legend loaded with the  mapsource topo maps suggested in Yogi's book and the compass rose on Jonathan's maps to place myself on the trail looking at both maps.
> 
> I honestly welcomed the "where am I moments" as it gave me time to sit down and reflect about the hike. Getting truly lost wasn't a major concern.  It was all good.
> 
> Sly
> 
> Marshall Karon wrote:
>> I also used the Garmin Vista HCx. I would get the Legend without the
>> altimeter if the price is better. Never used the altimeter or the electronic
>> compass. I never found the barometric altimeter to be useful because you
>> need to calibrate it each time you turn on the unit. The satellite altimeter
>> was good enough. Besides, with maps indicating your location and the contour
>> on the map giving you the calculated altitude at that spot (presuming the
>> maps were correct), you don't really need an altimeter.
>> 
>> The unit worked very well and the battery life is really good. The screen
>> was adequate. Remembering which buttons to push was a little bit of a
>> challenge. I used the carrying case for protection. The unit was normally
>> off - on only when I needed to check where I was (and sometimes, that seemed
>> like every 5 minutes).
>> 
>> The GPS will NOT keep you from getting "misplaced". The biggest issue was
>> figuring out which map I was on and where I was on the map. Practice that
>> before you go. You need to set your GPS up correctly. It would be nice to be
>> able to put a compass rose on a local map for practicing. Also realize that
>> not all trails and roads are on the maps (some are new) and some trails and
>> roads that are on the maps are no longer. But how reassuring it was when the
>> GPS showed the trail, showed you are on it, and the paper maps were the
>> same.
>> 
>> As for the GPS maps, I would get the disc and download the maps I wanted
>> onto the micro SD. That way you always have a backup. Of course, you do need
>> to select the area you want and that was not always easy.
>> 
>> I only used the TOPO 2008 maps - some details were not so good and sometimes
>> the maps had the trails wrong in place. Garmin does say the 24K maps are
>> more up to date and give much more detail. 
>> When you buy, look for a deal on a package - unit plus maps together.
>> 
>> Marshall Karon
>> Portland, OR
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
>> On Behalf Of Jack Haskel
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 8:05 PM
>> To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: [Cdt-l] GPS and Maps (howzit done?)
>> 
>> 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
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