[pct-l] Which GPS should I buy? (Jim Cribari)

[Tortoise]

I bought a Garmin etrex vista HCx.
It seems to be accurate as GPSs go. The sensitivity is good so it works 
under tall redwood trees. It is also light weight.
For hiking, the preloaded basemaps are almost useless -- it will show major 
roads but nothing else.
I find the menu structure confusing and somewhat illogical.

The big negative is that one can only load Garmin supplied maps. If you 
think you may want to load topos or other maps, then I would NOT buy 
Garmin. On some of the other series, the Garmin web site indicates there is 
some way to create custom maps but my brief look indicates this process 
could be difficult.


Tortoise

<> Because truth matters! <>

On 05/26/10 22:09, mntmn4jesus at aol.com wrote:
>
>   I am also looking to buy another GPS so I am finding these posts to be very helpful.  For sure do not buy a DeLorme Earthmate.  It was a huge waste of money.  You have to carry an extra set of batteries.  It is large and bulky and I found that it is unreliable in colder temperatures.  I found the maps to very unfriendly and not compatible with other mapping software (such as Google Earth)
>
>
> Re: Which GPS should I buy? (Bill Burge)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-request at backcountry.net
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Wed, May 26, 2010 9:38 pm
> Subject: Pct-l Digest, Vol 29, Issue 123
>
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
>     1. Re: Oregon PCT (Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com)
>     2. Re: Oregon PCT (Eric Lee)
>     3. Which GPS should I buy? (Molly Barth)
>     4. Re: Which GPS should I buy? (Bill Burge)
>     5. Re: Which GPS should I buy? (Melanie Clarke)
>     6. Pie Town Gear Closed (Jim Keener ( J J ) )
>     7. NOBO starters (Len Glassner)
>     8. Re: NOBO starters (Len Glassner)
>     9. Re: Is it a thru-hike? (Brick Robbins)
>    10. Re: Is it a thru-hike? (Paul Magnanti)
>    11. Re: Big Sky International (Pete Hanson)
>    12. Re: Pie Town Gear Closed (Bill Burge)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 15:20:48 -0700
> From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
>      <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Oregon PCT
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>      <A2BECF3B-610F-4869-A986-6D5CA52A9DEA at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
> The Mazama store is pretty close to the trail. You might ask if they
> accept packages. They did have a hiker box. They also had a pretty
> well-stocked store. You could probably make do if you wanted to skip
> sending something entirely.
>
> I sent to the Post Office and was able to get a ride pretty easily.
> In fact, I ended up riding up to the rim afterwards and then hiking
> down from the rim for a nice nero, then hitching back up to the rim
> to continue.
> Diane
> On May 26, 2010, at 3:03 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>> It's been awhile since I posted anything.  But here I am again,
>> this time with a question.  I am planning to hike a long section
>> from the Quincy-LaPorte Road south of Belden north to the Columbia
>> Gorge.  In Oregon, I will have no support (unless something changes
>> from the present plans) and I am not sure of where to send a box
>> around Crater Lake.  Is there anyplace I can send a box to avoid
>> having to go down to the post office in Crater Lake?  What do
>> people usually do around that area for resupply?  Actually I intend
>> to resupply at Ashland, and then after that, I am not sure where I
>> could send boxes until I get to Sisters.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Blue Butterfly
>
> Books I've written:
> ~ Piper's Flight
> ~ Adventure and Magic
> ~ Santa Barbara Hikes
> http://stores.lulu.com/dianesoini
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 16:06:25 -0700
> From: "Eric Lee"<saintgimp at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Oregon PCT
> To: "'Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com'"
>      <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>,<pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:<BAY145-ds70962F3FE899FCE34F1E4BDE90 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Diane wrote:
>>
> I sent to the Post Office and was able to get a ride pretty easily.
> In fact, I ended up riding up to the rim afterwards and then hiking down
> from the rim for a nice nero, then hitching back up to the rim to continue.
>>
>
> Be aware that hitchhiking in the park is actually illegal and in years past
> the rangers have been fairly aggressive about enforcing that, for whatever
> reason.  Your mileage may vary.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 16:07:40 -0700
> From: Molly Barth<mafbarth at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Which GPS should I buy?
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>      <AANLkTing1wsO4tQCgoz1k7rJazgaLDjgQAtN5xqQDabj at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi there --
> I've been recently researching all the possible gps devices to buy for my
> 2011 thru-hike.  Quickly, I was in over my head in techno-gargin.
>
>> From what I understand, there some gps devices have pre-loaded maps or
> include map software, while you must purchase map software separately for
> other devices.  If I am to use Halfmile's waypoints, do I need to load maps
> as well? (see I'm totally lost...).   What is the best affordable gps device
> for the trip?
>
> Thanks for you help!
>
> -- Molly
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 16:52:05 -0700
> From: Bill Burge<bill at burge.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Which GPS should I buy?
> To: Molly Barth<mafbarth at gmail.com>
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:<C0979553-1C9F-400F-9B5F-0E60B0058221 at burge.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>
> It's a big question - and wait - there's MORE!
>
> Questions, that is:
>
> How do you see yourself using a GPS?
>      Stare at it feverishly as you walk down it's inscribed PCT line?
>      Check it every so often to compare to a paper map?
>      Somewhere in between?
>      Just to find campsite waypoints or water report markers?
>      Just want the coordinates to find on a paper map?
>
> What would you do if you didn't have a GPS?
>      Stand like a statue until someone came along?
>      Refer to your paper map and compass?
>      Refer to your paper map?
>
> So,<in my best Freud impression>  tell me more....   ;-)
>
> BillB
>
>
> On May 26, 2010, at 4:07 PM, Molly Barth wrote:
>
>> Hi there --
>> I've been recently researching all the possible gps devices to buy for my
>> 2011 thru-hike.  Quickly, I was in over my head in techno-gargin.
>>
>>>  From what I understand, there some gps devices have pre-loaded maps or
>> include map software, while you must purchase map software separately for
>> other devices.  If I am to use Halfmile's waypoints, do I need to load maps
>> as well? (see I'm totally lost...).   What is the best affordable gps device
>> for the trip?
>>
>> Thanks for you help!
>>
>> -- Molly
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 16:53:04 -0700
> From: Melanie Clarke<melaniekclarke at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Which GPS should I buy?
> To: Molly Barth<mafbarth at gmail.com>
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>      <AANLkTimzZn2YQEJEaERDzw2nGFnYefetnCfrW1LvJyb0 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> Dear Molly,
>
> *Halfmile posted this on 5/20* and I found it very useful.  I ended up with
> the 60CSx mostly because it was on sale at REI Anniversary Sale for $199.99
> The Dakota 20 is also on sale but it comes with a bundled 100K topo and sold
> for $300.  The other varieties were not on sale but they have features (ie.
> light weight) that made me wish I could convince myself to "pass up a sale
> item" and pay full price.  Amazon.com sells these GPS systems at a discount
> price.  Good Luck!  I'm just getting to know my 60CSx right now.  I'm old so
> I'm "catching up" with the 21st century!
>
> Melanie
> *
> For most hikers I recommend either a Garmin Dakota 20 or a Garmin
> eTrex Vista HCx. You will probably also want to purchase a 4 GB
> microSD card and the Garmin TOPO U.S. 24K West DVD. Get the DVD don't
> buy the maps preloaded on a card.
>
> The Dakota 20 is a newer model and has the capacity to store large
> amounts of track data. The Vista HCx can only store a limited amount
> of track data. Both can hold an almost unlimited number of waypoints
> if you load them as custom points of interest.
>
> Despite some of the previous posts here, these are very accurate; much
> more accurate than any paper or digital map. The PCT is not always
> accurately shown on maps, so I recommend loading waypoints and tracks
> from my web site.
> http://www.pctmap.net/download/
>
> Hikers might want to consider two other GPS models.
>
> The amazingly small Garmin Foretrex 401 weighs only 2.3 ounces (w/
> lithium batteries) yet is a surprisingly good GPS that might appeal to
> some lightweight hikers. This GPS does not have the capability to show
> maps and has limited waypoint and track storage capacity; but it can
> hold 500 waypoints and 10 somewhat course tracks so it should be
> possible to preload it with maybe 500 miles of PCT data. You can
> always use UTM coordinates assuming the maps you carry have UTM grids.
> The Foretrex is lacking some of the features of the models above (like
> maps) so it's not for everyone, but for a section hiker or someone who
> is bouncing a small netbook computer up the trail, the tiny Foretex
> 401 is a powerful navigation tool in a very tiny package, especially
> when used with my maps.
>
> I personally usually carry a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx for my trail mapping
> project. This is an excellent gps although it is slightly larger and
> for that reason I recommend the Dakota and Vista for most hikers. It?s
> great for trail logging however.
>
> -Halfmile
>
> *
>
> On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 4:07 PM, Molly Barth<mafbarth at gmail.com>  wrote:
>
>> Hi there --
>> I've been recently researching all the possible gps devices to buy for my
>> 2011 thru-hike.  Quickly, I was in over my head in techno-gargin.
>>
>> > From what I understand, there some gps devices have pre-loaded maps or
>> include map software, while you must purchase map software separately for
>> other devices.  If I am to use Halfmile's waypoints, do I need to load maps
>> as well? (see I'm totally lost...).   What is the best affordable gps
>> device
>> for the trip?
>>
>> Thanks for you help!
>>
>> -- Molly
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-l mailing list
>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 17:18:27 -0700
> From: "Jim Keener ( J J ) "<pct2010 at ridgetrailhiker.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Pie Town Gear Closed
> To: PCT-L MailingList<pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:<8BC5DACA-CFB6-4AAD-B74F-D84D245E9CF1 at ridgetrailhiker.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii;   format=flowed;  delsp=yes
>
> Greetings,
>
> I got a "disconnected" message when I called today. When I called the
> Chamber of Commerce in Julian, the lady who answered confirmed that
> the store had closed.
>
> Jim Keener ( J J )
> http://postholer.com/jj
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 17:31:59 -0700
> From: Len Glassner<len5742 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] NOBO starters
> To: pct-l<pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
>      <AANLkTimmUq06m359zD7lF-HnjbOgxaU3-2G60J97yl-y at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I just counted the thru-hikers who signed the border register, and as
> best I could tell there's about 450 so far.  This compares with a bit
> less than 400 two years ago.  (Can't find all my 2009 data.)  The
> interesting thing to note is that the number of starters during April
> was about the same as two years ago, but the May starters were +50-60.
>
> Hard to tell if someone is thru-hiking if they just write a date and
> name.  Generally I include those in the counts, so if anything the
> numbers may be somewhat high.
>
> No warranty expressed or implied.
>