Tahoe Skier5000

quote:Originally posted by BCollSuss:Hi all, I need a big clue about GPS antennas! I own a Garmin GPS III+, and I get frustrated at the reception when walking through dense woods. I have a simple fantasy -- "why not just get a better antenna?" So I stupidly went to RadioShack and bought a telescoping scanner antenna for $12. When I plugged it into the BNC connector on my GPS, I got zero reception. I checked the manual, and -- doh -- the antenna only receives frequencies up to 1300Mhz. But looking on the web, it looks like the GPS satellites broadcast at 1575Mhz. Wow, that's pretty high frequency, higher than Ham radio, even. Searching the web some more, it seems that all "GPS Antennas" for sale are coils of wire, meant to hang off your boat, or out your car window. And they all cost at least $100, yikes. So my questions are: 1. is there something inherent about the 1575Mhz that implies all antennas must be coils, rather than rigid, telescoping ones? I assume not, since the antenna that came with my Garmin is a little stubby thing. 2. does anyone have a pointer to a telescoping antenna that *will* pick up a GPS signal? I want something that I can carry around in the woods. Or is my only option to buy an "official" Garmin antenna coil? I wonder if I'm missing something here. :-) You must be treading through some REALLY thick forest, because my III+ gets excellent reception. Using Opera 7.1

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thanks, but I had a Legend and didn't like it. Thats why I have the III+... Using Opera 7.1

To each his own... Using Opera 7.1

[This message was edited by volks_ev71 on August 04, 2003 at 10:13 PM.]

I must admit GiGi is definitely attractive. Using Opera 7.1 [This message was edited by volks_ev71 on August 04, 2003 at 10:06 PM.]

On my III+ test screen, it says "XO Drift -5.99" what does it mean?? Using Opera 7.1

Well, I see that this topic was brought back to life, so I might as well tell you that I got rid of the Legend and traded for a III+. I like it a lot more despite its obviously shortcomings. Thanks for the comments! Using Opera 7.1

I had a Legend and a Venture, and got rid of both. The build quality was lacking for such an expensive investment.. Therefore, I wouldn't get the Legend, nor would I get the Sportrak. I would spend the extra money and go for either a GPSMAP 76 or a III+. They are both built a lot stronger than the Legend and do about the same things. You will like what you get too. Using Opera 7.1

I get pretty good accuracy on my III Plus. Depending on the EPE, I'll usually be about 20 feet from the road... sometimes dead on though. Using Opera 7.1

The case is kinda beat up and the seal around the unit is all worn out... Anyway, garmin quoted me $125 which is the standard GPS III+ work charge I guess. Has anyone else sent their unit into Garmin for repair before?? If so, how did it go? More importantly, how fast is the turnaround? Using Opera 7.1

edit: doh!

I was talking to a friend of mine today about my new Legend, and he said that he really wanted a Legend very badly. He had a four year old Garmin III+ in pretty good condition that he offered to trade me. I figured it was an even trade (price wise), so I said sure! I'm glad I traded. The III+ is nice! I'm obviously losing a few advantages but I like the III+ better for some reason. Now... time to change the avatar... Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by Team Shibby:How deep are the scratches? If it is a semi deep scratch, don't even bother. You will do more damage than good. If it is more like a scuff may be possible to buff it out. Deep scratches would call for grinding the screen with a few different grits of abrasive polish and the more you sand off the screen the less protection it will have from another fall. Also your chances of getting it clear is going to take a lot of elbow grease, if it ever comes clear again. Unless it is really affecting the way you read the screen, mark it off as a battle wound. The yellow is cheap to replace or at least cheap enough to buy a new one rather than have the bezel fixed on an old one. Kar Yeah thats exactly what I'm thinking. I'm not even going to bother with it. It's a pretty significant scratch, but it doesn't affect reading the screen at all. Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by dave and jaime:if you want a more cost effective solution try http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=7116058331&m=90660665&r=21660665#21660665. even though i got shot down it does work. the particular abrasive i used was 2500 grit and i finished up with my dremel tool and polishing wheel. 'Get to the point---speak English!!!!' What if I don't have a dremel. How much polishing needs to be done?? How long do you sit and rub the screen with polish? thanks Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by alexm: quote:Any ideas? Car polish? lol j/k... Plenty of ideas in http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=7116058331&m=71960755&r=71260855, http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=7116058331&m=44960251&r=36960251, and http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=4016058331&m=6746071791&r=8746071791. I pretty much stand by plastic & plexiglass polish that you can get from your local auto parts store. Follow that up with a lens protector for the screen and you're good to go for life ( http://strongengineering.com/ has a decent protector at a nice price). ... alex Hey cool! thanks. I'm thinking about taking it to the jeweler and get it done professionally. Using Opera 7.1

I just managed to get a few fairly substantial scratches on my yellow etrex and was wondering what to use to fix them. Garmin wants to charge me $65 to get them fixed, but NO WAY in hell am I paying that! Any ideas? Using Opera 7.1 [This message was edited by volks_ev71 on July 30, 2003 at 05:06 PM.]

I always thought of inventing a GPS antenna hat. Just strap a quad-helix antenna on top with a connector leading down to your GPS and you'd be guaranteed to get good lock all the time. There could even be solar panels on the top to aid in battery life. Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by wickedsprint:who cares, use it, if it breaks, get it fixed, it's a gps, not a pacemaker And both can save your life. Therefore I want it working perfectly. Using Opera 7.1

Pretty nice GPS, but its doing the same thing my old venture did. The circuit board inside moves around when I push the buttons on the side of the gps. Probably no more than a millimeter or so. Not a huge deal, but you can feel it. My venture did the exact same thing too. I'm not sure if its a problem, or just normal with these. Nothing seems to rattle though when I shake the unit a little. I'm probably just overreacting. Using Opera 7.1 [This message was edited by volks_ev71 on July 29, 2003 at 08:44 PM.]

My backup Yellow Etrex, Off!, and a Pen Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by Woodbutcher68:Just has the best looking picture! Maps?!? I don't need no stinking maps! I got coordinates! There's a fine line between Geocaching and mental illness, I just not sure which side of the line I'm on! I agree with you there! Using Opera 7.1

quote:Originally posted by tirediron:As Prime mentioned, the Legend screen problem is a known issue, and judging by the posts here, affects at least 50% of Legends by the 12-18 month mark. In almost all cases, it is caused by the ribbon cable working loose, and having poor/no connection with one or more of the connectors for the actual display. Garmin will fix this, and even if the unit is no longer under warranty, it's still cheaper to have them do it then to buy a new one. There was a thread in here a few months ago where someone described how to repair this ribbon cable yourself; I couldn't find it, but it sounds a little dodgy to me anyway! I have a hard time believing that the ribbon cables are just "working themselves loose". Are you sure it isn't being caused from abuse, like dropping the unit a couple of times? I can see how that would dislodge the cable, but just using the unit gently shouldn't cause the problem. Using Opera 7.1

Is GiGi like the only girl on this board?? Using Opera 7.1

Cool! Looks like a fun GPS. Have fun Using Opera 7.1