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user13371

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Posts posted by user13371

    Collector of ancient GPS ?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I've got a Magellan meridian I used for a couple of years until it stopped working at the stroke of midnight, Jan 1st 2000. I'm open to offers, if anybody wants it for a collection ;) LOL

    I think you're mistaken about the model or the timing. The Magellan Map330 (first handheld GPS I owned) wasn't even introduced until fall of 2000 (source) and the SporTrak and Meridian models were even later.

    Help me understand the various aspects of a GPX file

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    ...still confused...

    It may be useful to readi GPX documentation for a fuller understanding. Excerpts:

     

    A track (is) an ordered list of points describing a path.

     

    A Track Segment holds a list of Track Points which are logically connected in order. To represent a single GPS track where GPS reception was lost, or the GPS receiver was turned off, start a new Track Segment for each continuous span of track data.

    Help me understand the various aspects of a GPX file

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    Sgt Strider, I think the gist of your question is really "Can a track file show where you were on your track at a given time?

     

    It depends a bit on which GPS you have and how the trackes were saved. Some will record a time stamp with each track point and some won't. I believe (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong) that most Garmin units do record timestamps on each track point of the ACTIVE track, but many will not include that info once you save the track to a specific named file (a way to save file space).

     

    Bear and Ragged already pointed you to GPXVisualizer, and there are other packages that can show you what data is recorded in your track. It's important to geotagging photos also, so you might look for geotagging software.

     

    Hope this explantion helps.

    Bluetooth stickies

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Can any Bluetooth device work with that App, and show distance without being paired? I might be able to find a bunch of old BT headsets or mice, cheap.
    I dunno about the Stick-N-Find app, but your comment got me to searching. Came across this developer tool:

     

    Bluetooth Smart Tool

     

    which would probably do something like that (spot signal strengh of any BT device in range). Pricey though; $12 :)

    Bluetooth stickies

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    have to be about 1-2 feet away to pair with them

    True, but I'm not sure you need to pair to use it. The way I read it, you need to be paired to control the thing (make it buzz, light up, etc) but the app can "see" any that are in range, paired or not. At least giving a rough distance -- could make a decent game of "hot or cold."

     

    ... not waterproof...

    Neither are a lot of caches, sadly. Put it in a bag.

    Bluetooth stickies

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    NFC has to be closer(inches?), doesn't it? These range about 100ft line of sight -- though I guess that's under ideal conditions.

     

    Also, BT is already ubiquitous in cellphones, NFC isn't.

     

    I agree with you on price though -- I think even Chirp is an order of magnitude too costly. I think if anything like this comes down to the $2 - $5 retail range, they'll really take off.

    Delorme Cache Register

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    ... I tried to find this posting on Delorme.com, but could not.

    Here, DeLorme tech note 114, from October. The tech note says these automated features don't work in some cases, and also how to work around and load Pocket Queries manually.

     

    Rather than asking folks here if DeLorme is working on it, it would be far better to CONTACT DELORME. The more they hear from people the more likely they'll work on it.

    Bluetooth GPSr and a cell phone

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    Yes, you can get certain Bluetooth GPSRs to pair with a smartphone, including Blackberry. Some might give better accuracy than the BB's own GPS, but not by a lot.

     

    From a geocacher's point of view, these little external GPS dongles suffer the same problem as these little smartphones -- tiny antenna. They'll give "good enough" if not especially precise positioning, and let you down under more difficult conditions - under tree cover, for example.

    Tablet to GPS

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    ...if (Garmin) would just come out with bluetooth or WiFi GPS ... the world would be perfect.

    Dunno about "perfect," but I would not be surprised to see Bluetooth file tranfer come to a GPS someday.

     

    On the other hand, the portable WiFi enabled hub I linked connected just about every kind of mass storage device, not just GPS. As you and others have noted, even "supported" USB hosting on Android doesn't really work very well.

     

    So Walt, you gonna buy one? If so, let me know how it works.

    Tablet to GPS

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    I've commented before that I copy GPX files and maps to my GPS by connecting it to the USB port on my router. Works fine at home, but doesn't give you a way to do it in the field.

     

    But HyperShop offers a WiFi, battery operated USB hub. A bit pricey, but this seems like a solid, cross-platform solution that doesn't rely on rooting anything. I don't have one though, so I don't know how we'll they work.

     

    Nomadic users (Hi, Walt!) who only have a tablet might find this useful ...

    Issues returning a faulty gps!

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    Garmin completely fulfilled their obligation under warranty:

    All Garmin products are warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Within this period, Garmin International, Inc. will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components which fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost.

    If they had simply repaired and returned your original GPS, that would still be a used unit, wouldn't it?

     

    ...I have now gone months without geocaching because of this.

    Really? You first posted about this in July, and statistics tab on your GC profile shows steady activity all season. Are you really just grumbling about £7 postage?

     

    Kinda reminds me of this unhappy customer:

     

    Questions about the Garmin Fenix GPS Watch.

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by user13371

    Given how cheap microSD cards are these days I'm surprised they didn't provide an option to fit one.
    Think of a diver's watch, as Garmin made ithe Fenix waterproof to 50 meters. Now design a way for the user to insert or remove a data card without compromising the case seals.

     

    Of course, the GPS won't work under at even a fraction of that depth, so I guess making it waterproof was a bad design choice too :lol:

     

    Probably the best comparison to the Garmin Fenix would be the Suunto Ambit. A fine piece of gear for its intended use, but an equally poor choice for geocaching.

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