[pct-l] GPS Recommendations

Fri Feb 27 20:55:23 CST 2009

One nice feature of the Garmin Oregon (and I assume the Colorado too,
but I have not used a Colorado yet) is that it has the capacity to
load tracks of the the entire PCT, not just POIs. You have to make
sure each track has fewer than 10,000 sample points per track, but you
can then load more than 100 tracks into the GPS.
I have tracks of the PCT from the Mexican Border to just north of
Crater Lake available for free download at http://www.pctmap.net. I
have tested them all in a Garmin Oregon GPS.
These GPSs do come with a premium price tag however.
-Halfmile

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 5:15 PM, Jim Eagleton <eagleton at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> This is a little off topic, but I liked my Garmin Colorado 400t for Navigation on the cdt. The touch screen Oregan series might be even better.
>
> When navigating, you want to use both the gps and the map.  The larger the screen, the easier it will be to translate the gps information to the map and vise versa.  The Colorado has good ability to zoom in and out.  Also, Garmin has a very good reputation.
>
> I agree the Colorado is too expensive, and too heavy for the pct unless you have a remarkable fetish.
>
>
>
> Three years ago, my Garmin Forerunner 305/205 was the first gps with the latest chip set.  While this was just a routine advancement in electronics, to me and many others, this generation gps takes takes the gps from being marginal under tree cover to better than adequate under tree cover. Now, most of the gps's you mentioned, including the Colorado, 60CSx, ... have the new high sensativity chips.  However, it is still best to double check.
>
>
>
> Rambler
>
>
>
>> From: herbstroh at charter.net
>> To: halfmile at pctmap.net; herbstroh at charter.net; asabat at 4jeffrey.net; pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:06:53 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS Recommendations
>>
>> Ahh yes, now I see. A blog full of questions and problems in loading TOPO
>> maps to the Triton. Looks like Garmin remains the best way to go.
>>
>> Thanks Halfmile, AsABat, and others who have provided their insight. It has
>> been very helpful and will save me much frustration.
>>
>> Herb
>>
>> Original Message:
>> -----------------
>> From: Halfmile halfmile at pctmap.net
>> Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:00:23 -0800
>> To: herbstroh at charter.net, asabat at 4jeffrey.net, pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS Recommendations
>>
>>
>> You might try looking around here
>> http://www.tritonforum.com/forum/
>>
>> Or you might find a little info about the Triton here, but it has
>> pretty much fallen off all the geocacher's radar
>> http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11
>>
>> You also might want to check amazon.com reviews.
>>
>> -Halfmile
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 8:04 AM, herbstroh at charter.net
>> <herbstroh at charter.net> wrote:
>> > AsABat--
>> >
>> > What have you found out about the Magellan Triton? I found a couple
>> reviews
>> > that seemed favorable, but none referencing use of TOPO maps. Is that
>> where
>> > the problems arise? Sure would be nice to load the TOPO maps into a
>> > handheld.
>> >
>> > I may try to get this unit repaired. I didn't see anything on Garmin's
>> site
>> > about a reconditioning program, but will try calling for info.
>> >
>> > Original Message:
>> > -----------------
>> > From: AsABat asabat at 4jeffrey.net
>> > Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:57:21 +0000
>> > To: halfmile at pctmap.net, rlhahn1 at verizon.net, pct-l at backcountry.net
>> > Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS Recommendations
>> >
>> >
>> > Ok did some more research and leaning back towards Garmin. Sad because the
>> > maps aren't cheap. The Magellan Triton runs Windows CE so lots of cheap
>> > solutions while Garmin is proprietary. I guess I'm hoping someone tells me
>> > their Triton works great and loads maps no problem.
>> >
>> > AsABat
>> > ------Original Message------
>> > From: Halfmile
>> > To: rlhahn1 at verizon.net
>> > Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> > Sent: Feb 26, 2009 8:36 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS Recommendations
>> >
>> > The Garmin GPSMap 60CSx is a great GPS and I use it most of the time
>> > for logging trails and making my maps at http://www.pctmap.net In my
>> > testing it's the most accurate GPS I have found to do this. If anyone
>> > is logging trails it would be my top recommendation too.
>> >
>> > My assumption is that most hikers aren't logging trails, and the
>> > smaller, lighter Etrex Vista HCx with better battery life is excellent
>> > for general navigation. The newest Etrex models have more sensitive
>> > circuity and have always worked well under tree cover for me.
>> >
>> > -Halfmile
>> >
>> >
>> > On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM,  <rlhahn1 at verizon.net> wrote:
>> >> I'm now using the Garmin 60CSx because my previous Etrex Legend kept
>> > loosing
>> >> it way under the tree cover on the AT.  Batteries go longer if you don't
>> >> have the map display always in use.  redrawing every pixel every pace
>> > really
>> >> eats battery power.
>> >>
>> >> I'm also able to pack the GPS in the top of my pack and it still has
>> > tracks
>> >> and maps ready when I pull it out.
>> >>
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