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LowranceTracker1

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Everything posted by LowranceTracker1

  1. I was one of the earliest testers of the Magellan GPSR units for use in the military. 4 out of 6 units on average failed in the field. Magellans were then dropped from further service use because they were not reliable. The person who is in combat should be able to rely on his equipment, and Magellan didn't deliver. They went with other GPSR units after that, and to this day I will not own a Magellan GPSR.
  2. Most of the US forces in Afghanistan are using the Garmin Foretrex 401 model because of its hands free operation.... However, I do know that members of the British SAS are using the Etrex. Regardless, I would consider using the GPS sparingly to save battery life etc..... Use map and compass, and keep places like his unit command post coordinates in the GPS ready to go in case he gets bewildered. He can use the GPS to give him a bearing to a location he wants to go to, then shut it off and follow his compass, occasionally stopping to confirm he is still on track with the GPS.
  3. What is the current cost of the Garmin 60cs..... Different packages? Etc....... Post em up..... The $575 suggested retail seems very high not to include the map software with the unit.
  4. Use "Bear Guard" pepper spray. It's for Grizzly Bears and it works. I used to sell pepper spray and stun guns to women back when I was in retail. I always told em "Empty the pepper spray on em, and when they're down, drain the battery on em with the Stun Gun". But the best recommendation I can give a woman is this- Don't cache alone, and if you do even though you shouldn't, carry the Bear Guard pepper spray with you. If you need to, pal up with another geocaching couple so you feel safe. I know one single mom who goes geocaching with a single male geocacher and I am sure she feels much safer.
  5. It's not a game anymore...... it's a way of life !!!
  6. So the DGPS system used for sending accurate signals to our Coast Guard is not accurate eh? Fizzy, I think you're full of yourself dude. As far as someone stating that you have to be "Really close" to a DGPS station to get the corrections, I must say this... 200 miles is really close? I have seen people test their new DGPS antenna on their GPS and receive up to the second corrections from this kind of distance. I think since there are DGPS beacons all over the USA that it's not a problem to get a signal. Land Surveyers use DGPS, Water companies use DGPS, the United States Military uses DGPS. What does DGPS have to do with this thread? It has to do with accuracy and dependability. WAAS is not the only accuracy enhancing feature for GPS, and I wanted to make that clear. I say WAAS is still a bad idea, and I don't buy all the hype.
  7. Indiana Cojones: You have that kind of cash to just buy any gps that comes along. Must be nice! I had a hard enough time convincing the wife for the only one I own.
  8. WAAS is Inferior to DGPS for geocaching. WAAS is limited by geosyncronous sattelites in orbit around the equator. WAAS was created for airplane use, above 2000 feet, not ground level users. WAAS is affected by Solar Storms, just as regular GPS signals are, whereas DGPS is not and will continue to correct signals. I'm not sold on WAAS. It is in it's infancy, and until it is grown up and a fully operational system, it's being touted to ground level GPS is more or less a scam capitolized by GPS companies to sell more product. Side by side: I went on a geocache with a non-WAAS GPS (My Lowrance GM100) with another geocacher who was using a Garmin 76S with WAAS, and an external antenna. In all cases, my unit was as accurate, or more accurate than his was.
  9. An electronic compass sounds nifty, but I really like carrying my old Stocker & Yale military compass with me. Then again I like analog guages over digital too......
  10. Battery saving mode shuts down some of the internal workings and makes the GPS less accurate. Even covering the antenna area slightly with your hand in that mode will make you lose your lock. I think companies should advertise their products as such: Battery Saving Mode : *hours Battery Saving Mode with Backlight: *hours Normal Mode: *hours Normal Mode with Backlight: *hours That might clear up any questions to users wanting info on their GPS units. My 2 dollars worth.
  11. I bet that 30 hours of battery life isn't with the backlight on...... I wear my headlamp in the truck as I drive and look at my GPS with it (Red LED) to conserve battery power (and my gps uses 4 batteries!) while night caching, and never use my backlight anymore. Batteries last A LOT longer now. I admit, hard core Lowrance user that I am, this new Garmin has my interest. It is QUITE cool........ http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60cs/ Rather pricey though. I'll wait til the cost comes down and field reports come in first before plunking down any cache (hehe) on one.
  12. You think that's cool? Take a look at this...... http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60cs/ I'm a die hard, hard core Lowrance GM100 user, but I sure thought this Garmin was worthy of my interest. After all, you can never have too many toys !!
  13. My Kit: Lowrance GM100 GPS Energizer LED Headlamp Medium Olive Green ALICE pack (no frame) Military Stocker & Yale tritium compass Small 10x25 Bushnell camo hunter's binoculars Trade Items (Stuff that costs from pennies up to $50) Personal Log Book & Pen Leather work gloves Canteen (1 Qt standard military) Backup light or two Light Stick (for emergency use) Stuff I wear (Geared towards protection): Columbia Hat with neck covering (Protects back of neck from sun etc) Flannel long sleeve jacket/shirt from Walmart (Plaid) Black Jeans 10" Leather boots with Vibram soles
  14. LilDevil I saw the etrex Stellalunag was selling and it looked practically new. Furthermore, it's people like you who want to buy something for NOTHING that tick me off. "Well, I saw it on EBAY for da da da da da...." Well then, GO BUY IT ON EBAY!
  15. Like I said, some Magellans come out ok. Alot of them don't however. It's not a problem with the GPS itself, if you get a good one, great. The problem is with the "QA" dept where they are made. I work in Engineering, (electronics), and there are ALOT of variables that make or break a product. Some companies like Lowrance and Garmin simple have a better "QA" dept. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  16. MoDean and Tanner, your GPS should be alot more accurate than 50 feet. I have an average accuracy of 3-8 feet on every cache. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  17. There are major Solar storms right now affecting GPS accuracy because of interference with the GPS satellites. The problems will probably last another week. If after that you're still having problems, I would suggest troubleshooting then. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  18. My comments are based on facts, and therefore have ALOT of weight. If you are having a good experience with Magellan, more power to you. I made the decision not to buy Magellan for all the failures I have seen over the years. I have used Magellan GPS, but have not owned one. That does not make my comment invalid. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  19. Arizonakober just look around these forums. People all over the place have had alot of problems with Magellan GPS units. I have known other people personally who have had nothing but problems with Magellan. Although some have no problems whatsoever, the amount of problems that do exist means that buying a Magellan unit is a crap shoot. To each their own. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  20. I've used Lowrance GPS for years. I have two units, the Global Map 100, which I use in the truck and on foot, and a Global Nav 310 that I use in my 4x4. More accurate than any other GPS out there, and tough. One 4 wheeler rolled his Jeep, the GM 100 flew 40 feet and hit the rock exposing the guts of the unit. The unit still worked afterwards, and Lowrance replaced the unit for free. Lowrance has been in the GPS/SONAR business for 45 years, and for my money, it's Lowrance all the way. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  21. quote: We tested the unit this weekend. Hit 3 caches in our area and brought both gps's. My vista and his ifinder.The ifinder sucks. it was off by over 200 feet. He was standing on a cache and it was pointing the other way. Mine said that I was on top of it with in 2 feet. Needless to say he is returning it to his friend and buying a yellow Etrex with his 100 bucks. *Even though I don't really like the I-Finder, I have a problem with what is written here and have to speak my mind on it. Obviously there is something wrong with this particular GPS unit, as I have used Lowrance GPS units for years and years and they have been more accurate than any other GPS I have ever used. For instance, I recently found a cache with my Lowrance Global Map 100 and the GPS said I was within 4 feet of the cache, which I was and another geocacher had his Garmin Map 76S with external antenna and WAAS turned on, and his GPS read within 13 feet and he was standing next to me. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  22. Magellans are JUNK. I've been using GPS since I was in the military 15 years ago. Magellan has been junk since day one. Go with Lowrance, Garmin, North Star, Trimble etc.... Good luck. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  23. quote: I have a Magellan Platinum right now, and am thinking about throwing it down the toilet. Magellan has been crap from Day ONE. I cannot see how they can sleep with themselves at night, and they're French made too. The French make crappy cars too. Of the two you are talking about, I'd go with the Garmin Map 76S, although I personally prefer Lowrance units. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
  24. Yeah here in Texas the signals are screwed. Problem with WAAS is it doesn't work well to begin with, but since it is satellite in nature it's screwed too. If you're using DGPS, you would have accuracy because DGPS is land based. If it isn't hard, it isn't worth doing right?
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