user13371
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Posts posted by user13371
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... "track smoothing" ... I always leave the feature off because I like the higher sensitivity for geocaching.
How does turning it off make the GPS any more accurate or sensitive?
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Just to throw something into the mix, there's an odd thing that's always puzzled my about VPC with USB. There are really TWO different ways to get VPC to see a USB device on your Mac:
1) Install Windows drivers for the device into your virtual/guest operating system, and make sure "enable usb" swicth is set in VPC preferences.
2) Do not "enable usb" in VPC preferences. Instead, install Mac drivers for the device, and configure your virtual/guest system to treat the Mac's USB port as if it were a standard serial device at COM1: or COM2:
Intuitively, I would have though option 2 would work better: A regular com port should be easier for VPC to emulate, and letting the Mac handle the complexity of the USB port natively should work just fine. But whenever I've tried it that way, it's been unreliable.
On the other hand, option 1 works just fine. Any idea why that is?
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eBay is a wonderful place to find bargains, but it can be a bit daunting and hard to figure out which vendors you can trust.
So apart from eBay, you might want to check out a couple of vendors:
And don't overlook the bleedin' obvious; hit your local Yellow Pages for "Computer Dealers - Used."
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... if you put the unit in ADVANCED mode you can save the trail to an MMC card as a .USR file. Doesn't OziExplorer and other software read USR files in their native format? If not, then I'm certain I saw somewhere how to convert and then import it. Bottom line and having not done it myself yet, I still think it CAN be done.
Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Yes, you can download the trail data from the GPS. It just seemed to me that the ability to manipulate the data in the included MapCreate program was pretty limited. You can turn a trail into a really low resolution route, and that's about it. I'lll check out OziExplor and see what it can do - thanks for the pointer!
And I'm not calling Lee a liar or anything because he might be bigger than me.
Ha - probably not
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Okay, there are bsome geocaching specific problems with the iFinder.
Though I still think it's a great GPS, I have some negative findings that might make some hard-core cachers stay away from it:
1) Waypoints are created & stored internally with only a lat, lon, time, name, and icon. No comment data.
2) Waypoints can be manipulated while in the unit, or on your PC using Lowrance provided software. And though said Lowrance's software can import/export waypoints in a comma-delimited text format, you can only export waypoints and routes; not trails.
3) Worse, when you export waypoints as text, it only exports the lat/lon position and name - the icon and timestamp are not exported. If you export/re-import, you'd get a generic icon and the time stamp would be undefined.
Though these issues don't bother me (much), I can see how they would be annoying to those cachers who do huge numbers of caches and rely on tools like GSAK and GPSBabel.
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Zack:
Thanks for your efforts!
I've already run the numbers through a a few different programs and know the mileage. But what matters more is the weather. What I'm trying to find out is what makes more difference in the weather this time of year, elevation or latitude. I-80 through Wyoming can be treacherous any time of the yerar because of the elevations.
What I was hoping for more in this forum would be someone who had already taken one or more of these routes, maybe travels them frequently, and who would have some practical first-hand knowledge.
Lee.
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Why did you decide on it vs. the two giants?
Because the features I wanted (higher-resolution screen, expandable memory, better map software) were not available from M or G at a competitive price.
How much did you pay...?$271 (including shipping) from Planet GPS.
In addition to the GPS, the package includes an auto 12v power cord, MapCreate 6.2 mapping software, 32 meg MMC card, and an MMC/SD card reader. I'm probably gonna give the reader away, I already have one.
Price-wise, I think this compares very favorably to a Merdian Gold plus any version of MapSend. And I did get what I was after - the display and the map software are much better.
The cost will be somewhat offset when I sell my Magellan SporTrak Pro and accesories on eBay (Trippy, do you know anyone local who might want it? Knowing how much you LOVE Magellan units
). But with any new toy comes related acessories. My generic windshield mount fits the iFinder, but I'll still need a RAM cradle & handelbar mount for my bike. And I'd like to have enough SD cards to preload all the maps I'll ever need. It's always something! -
Before anyone hollers this is off-topic, I want you to know I did originally post in the "Off-Topic" forum. Half of the responses I got suggested I should post it here instead. Gee whiz, how can a post be off-topic in the Off-Topic forum? Just goes to show you can't please everybody
ANYHOW, this may be off-topic, but there are so many experts and seasoned travelers in GC forums I figured I could ask...
What's the best way to drive from southeastern Michigan to Portland Oregon in late October or early November?
Originally I was going to make this trip months ago. Plan was I80 most of the way, turning up I84 in Utah. But there have been a lot of delays, and this late in the year I'm worried about weather related hazards. Especially in Wyoming, between Cheyenne & Laramie. The Lincoln Summit goes up over 8000 feet, highest point along I80.
I'm wondering if the more northerly I90 route (to Seattle and then down to Portland on the I5) would be better. The elevations on I90 are quite a bit lower. Or if there's a more southerly route which avoids high elevations AND high latitudes without adding more than 2-3 days or a thousand miles to the trip. Tulsa to Flagstaff to L.A. and up the I5 seems a bit extreme!
Any suggestions?
I'm not really worried - I'll drive in anything. But my wife hates driving (or even being a passenger) in snowy conditions. To insure domestic tranquility, it just makes sense to find the least stressful route.
Is this still off-topic if l have a GPS in the truck? I could stop for some caching along the way. Vehicle will be a 14' U-Haul van, so I'll be able to carry some pretty awesome swag.
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... What I do ... is have the Route 66 maps loaded into MacGPS Pro
How do you do that? I thought these were a closed/proprietary format?
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That's correct. USB/GPS relationships are broken.
What you're saying is that Garmin's USB drivers are broken under VPC, right? Not that USB in general broke under the last OS update?
Because USB is not broken for all adapters and drivers. My el-cheapo generic RS232-USB adapter (based on Prolific PL2303 chipset) works just dandy with under Mac OS X 10.3.5 and VPC 6.1.1.
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OKAY, THIS THING IS A KEEPER!
After a couple of days, and some driving out and about, I'm absolutely hooked on this Lowrance iFinder H2O. Bear in mind I'm coming from long and dedicated use of Magellan units...
The screen is the best I've seen on any handheld GPS - maybe the best on ANY handheld computing device. Most legible under any lighting conditions, fastest and smoothest updates. Amazing white backlight (silent, not buzzy like Magellan) with 10 adjustable brightness levels.
The map software (even though it was a pain to install under VPC on the Mac) seems to be several times faster than MapSend Streets & Destinations AND MapSend Topo in compiling maps. It is also more flexible, letting you select maps of any size or shaped region, including or excluding POIs by various categories.
Like a Magellan Meridian, it uses an MMC or an SD card, so transfering big map files is no problem (like, 30x faster than serial). But there's no nonsense of using menu commands on the GPS to activate specific maps or regions - whatever you load to the card is instantly available.
The maps themselves put MapSend S&D or Topo to shame - 'nuff said. DirectRoute is supposed to be better, I know - but I'm also told it brings new usability aggravations.
The only concernes I've had with the iFinder H2O are pretty much cleared up: I'm satisfied it will be water-proof enough for my needs; the too-tight battery case is getting easier; I did manage to get the map software installed and it works a treat.
I know Robert Lipe (whose opinion I greatly respect) has found some good deals on Meridian Gold and says it's the model to beat; but if you're shopping in this price range I'd say you owe it to yourself to try an iFinder.
BTW, I don't work for Lowrance
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...locking suction mount and aluminum arm ... $39, well worth it...
I have to disagree. I got a cheap, generic suction mount for $10 at a hardware store about two years ago. It's never fallen off the windshield. Nor have any of my GPSs fallen out of its grip.
I see these things often in various cheap discount merchandisers, labeled "Universal Phone Mount" or "Euro-Style Phone Mount", for pretty much the same $10-$15. Radio Shack has (or used to have) the same item under p/n 17-552.
Aside from being cheap, it really is almost universal - you don't need a different cradle for every gadget you might want to mount.
Here's a picture. I couldn't get a good shot of it in the car, so I brought it inside and stuck it on top of the TV set. It still isn't a good picture, but it's the best I could do.
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Suction Mount ... can't seem to get it to stick on my car's windshield. Does anyone have any suggestions ?
Yup. Here are the secret of successful suction mountings, in excruciating detail:
- Figure out excatly where you want the mount.
- Clean the desired glass area with rubbing alcohol.
- Completely wet the glass and the suction cup. *
- Press just the suction mount (without the GPS on it) where you want it.
- Towel or sponge dry the mess you made in the surrounding area.
- Don't put the GPS into the mount for a few hours, don't even touch it.
* I think this is the step most people miss - they try to get by without making a mess and use too little water, just on the suction cup.
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That is a good price, every place else I look is quite a bit higher on this model. Thanks!
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... Meridian Gold can be found for $169...
Where? New, refurb, used?
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Okay, now that I have a day and a half of playing with my iFinder H2O Plus, I like it better.
There are several IFinder models, and the H2O model is in upper range; waterproof, hi-rez screen, faster processor, etc. I've use mostly Magellan Meridian and SporTrak models. In comparing features, the H2O probably closest to the Magellan Meridian Gold.
Lowrance's "Plus" package adds the MapCreate 6.2 software, with a 32 meg MMC card and a flash reader.
An aside for price watchers: I paid $271 for my iFinder H2O Plus. What's the going rate for a Meridian Gold, with a copy of MapSend Streets & Destinations and the nominal expense of a 32 meg SD or MMC card with reader?
More comparative details:
1) Compared to the Meridian, the H2O's screen is about the same size but has twice the resolution. It also has an amazing WHITE (and silent) backlight with 10 adjustable brightness levels - at the highest you could probably use it as a reading light. The Magellan backlight on it's highest (buzzing) setting is not nearly as bright; it's comparable to the second lowest setting on the H2O. The H2O also has a "night mode" which inverts the display - streets, POIs, and other text are white on a dark background. Correction: The "night mode" only inverts text in menus and data fields. Map black on white is not inverted
2) You can zoom in a LOT closer on the H2O than you can on any Magellan. The Magellan "100 foot" scale spans about 1/3 to 1/4 the width of the screen (so the screen width is 300-400 feet). The H2O "0.02 mile" scale spans the entire width of the screen.
3) The H2O can optionally display "range rings" - circles drawn on screen around your position. This makes it much easier to quickly estimate distances.
4) MUCH faster screen updates while driving than any Magellan GPS I've ever used. I turn, the GPS screen turns, no apparent lag.
5) The MapCreate was a bltch to install (see previous notes), but it does work reasonably well. It includes a database of the entire U.S. on two CDs, which can be installed entirely to the hard drive.
6) MapCreate offers a lot of flexibility in selecting maps to download. You can select regions of any shape, and include (or exclude all sorts of data by categories. If you don't have the time or inclination to trace out routes and select POI categories, an "easy mode" lets you just click on predefined areas for download. This easy mode carves the country into 162 regions, and each one will compile to just under 8 meg - for conveniently figuring out how many you can get on your MMC or SD card.
The actual map compiling time, getting it ready to load to the card, seems a LOT faster than Magellan's MapSend. But as I'm not running a standard PC, so my timings may not be valid for others.
7) Once you have loaded the maps to the GPS, they do seems a lot more accurate than Magellan's MapSend, for all categoriers of roads, water, and POIs that I could check. I have taken an admittedly small sampling; only where I walked and drove yesterday. But it was dead-on where the Magellan product was either missing details or drew them in the wrong places.
I'll post more as I have more time to learn about my new toy.
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So where would you mount it on one of these?
The obvious spot is the very top of the truck - but it's aluminum so a magnet won't do. And it's a rental, so drilling and gluing is probably out of the question too
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what is the price...
I haven't set a specific price; I'd prefer potential buyers make offers via private message.
Thanks for your interest.
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Followup after speaking with Lowrance technical support:
1) Waterproof: IPX7 is correct, the manual is in error. Drop it in the water, the innards will stay dry. The unit may or may not float, depending on the batteries. Apparently it's very close to neutral bouyancy, so the minor difference between lithium or regaulr alkaline batteries will decide!
2) The battery contacts ARE extremely tight, "that's just the way it is." They will loosen a bit with use. "Don't worry about the sleeves, sir; they'll ride up with wear."
3) I don't know if the tech was being evasive or simply didn't know the answer to my copy protection questions. I certainly APPEARS the software has to be installed from the factory original disk. You can install all files to the hard drive (if you have enough space) and it won't need the CD at runtime.
If you're tight on space, installing in "compact" mode would require putting in the CDs at runtime. He couldn't say if running that way would require the original factory CD at runtime or if copies would work.
3a) I've managed to "tweak" my VPC configuration to get around the installer compatibility issue, and after several tries FINALLY succeeded in getting a full install (and put those CDs safely away!). After getting through the installlation issues, it does seem to run okay.
Anyone have similar experiences or tips to share?
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I've run Magellan's MapSend Topo (both 3.00B and 4.20D) direct from the hard drive - no problem. I just selected the "Full Install" (as opposed to "Typical" install) and it puts all the files on the hard drive.
Of course, I've had mine for a couple of years. Have they since changed Topo to some kind of copy protection that requires the CD prsent for runtime? I thought they only did that with their Direct Route and WorldWide Basemaps products.
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After reading rave reviews for the Lowrance iFindder, and researching the models on their website, I decided to get an iFinder H2O Plus.
As described on their website: this model is waterproof to IPX7 specs, has a high-resolution 16-shade grey-scale screen, can use active or passive external antenna, and comes with the latest MapCreate 6.2 software.
Got it yesterday and so far I'm a bit dissappointed:
1) On first glance, I didn't see how it could be truly waterproof. The external connectors are covered by loose fitting rubber plugs. I double checked the website and it does say IPX7 - but when I read the manual it's says it's onlly water resistant to IPX2. That's the difference between dropping it in the drink as opposed to just being caught out in the rain, isn't it?
2) It's nearly impossible to get the batteries in and out of the unit because the contacts are too tight. I don't know if this is a design issue or if mine is defective.
3) The MapCreate software seems to be copy-protected and my Mac running Virtual PC won't install it properly. My VPC setup exceeds the processor speed and memory requirements for this software, but the copy prtection scheme is looking for "something special" on the CD itself and cannot "authenticate original disk."
Has anyone had similar issue with the iFinder and/or MapCreate?
Even with these issues, I'm optimistic and eager to have the features offered by this GPS. I hope to have a friendly phone chat with Lowrance support today and get it all ironed out, and will post follow-up results here.
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I posted this in the other forum, but it might be more appropriate here -
Hey All - I'm headed on a long road trip (from Massachusetts to Montana and back to Pennsylvania) and really want to do some caching along the way.
I have EasyGPS, but I'm very overwhelmed with trying to figure out what caches to download. I'll be passing through probably 10 different states (making sure to see Devil's Tower in Wyoming).
Any advice on how to figure out the best method for getting caches to my GPS. I have an eTrex Legend, so I can store like 500 of them, just where to start and how to figure it out?
Help Please!
Has anyone done this, or tried it? If you have any words of wisdom - please share.
Thanks!
I'm in a similar spot. Driving from Michigan to Oregon in a month or so, just planning it now.
My basic trip is already planned with a handful of overnight stops. What I was planning to do was enter each of those locations into the Geocaching website and get all the caches within a certain radius.
[silly=movie_refs]
Devil's Tower? What about Mt. Rushmore? At the former, you only have to watch out for musical alien motherships - at the latter you can look for a house that isn't there but watch out for enemy agents :-)
[/silly]
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No one knows, because software is a gas, and always expands to fill its container
Um, right. So how much do you have at the moment?
). But with any new toy comes related acessories. My generic windshield mount fits the iFinder, but I'll still need a RAM cradle & handelbar mount for my bike. And I'd like to have enough SD cards to preload all the maps I'll ever need. It's always something!
Suction Mount For 60 Cs
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
Did that make your suction mount jiggle?
I kn ow what you meant about jiggle though - unless you have something with a pretty solid frame, it's gonna move around a lot on a bumpy road.
On the other hand, I've never had a problem with letting the mounted unit rest against some part of the dash. If it's not on the dash fairly close to me, I can't reach the buttons!