boss_frog

Okay, I missed the resolution first time around. How's $415?

For that money I can get an HP with a dual core, twice the storage capacity, twice the ram, same screen. I'd pay $350 for it (still more than they go for on ebay) if you're interested.

Perhaps, but neither is in any way difficult and one is more reliable.

In a nutshell ... YES! What I don't understand is why so many people seem to think this is a BAD thing?! If you need to navigate from your current location to a visible destination point with unknown coordinates, here are your options: 1) If you have a GPSr with built-in maps, or are carrying paper maps, but have no built-in GPSr compass, and no conventional compass: (Note: I would NOT recommend this as a strategy for going hiking in "The Great Beyond", but let's face it, this is the equipment that a lot of users of this forum will carry!) You would have to estimate the location of your destination by reference to other map features, estimate the bearing and distance to the destination point, "Project" a new waypoint, and then navigate along the course to the assumed waypoint, hoping that your initial bearing was not too far off. Repeat the process each time you get to another vantage point that lets you see your destination again. 2) If you have a GPSr without a built-in compass, but you are carrying a conventional compass (MUCH smarter!), the procedure is similar, but you can get a much better estimate of the bearing for the projected waypoint. Take a sighting with your compass, make a note of the bearing, and then create a projected waypoint in your GPSr, using the compass bearing. (Don't forget to allow for magnetic variation when entering the projected bearing!) 3) If you have a GPSr with built-in compass and "Sight'n'Go" feature: Point your GPSr at your destination (holding it level, and using the sight marks etched onto the unit) to get a bearing, just like you would with a conventional compass. Use this to make a "Sight'N'Go", and then follow the course. I know which one is easiest and most reliable for me! What about when your batteries go ka-put?

+1 Yup. Just received a new Garmin 60Cx yesterday in the mail. It was about fifty bucks less expensive than the 60CSx. Only diff is that the CSx has the electronic compass and barometric altimeter while the Cx has tide tables. I'd rather have the tide tables and carry my trusty ol' fashioned analog compass when out in the bush. Not to mention the fact that if you find yourself in trouble for any reason, a real compass isn't going to fail you when its batteries are gone. Either way, whether you prefer an emulated compass or a real compass, you'd be wise to carry the real deal anyway.

Its interesting you should mention this because I am taking my 60csx out on the golf course today as an experiment. It is wet and the ball may plug into the mud. I plan on doing a "Sight n GO'. I will sight at the direction the ball goes and guess the distance. To the OP: There is little white mark on the top of the display's bezel you use to sight down. Also, be aware that people who say that the needle flops around when close to the cache do not know that the arrow moves so you can sight down the arrow. You do not even have to think about walking direction at all when you have an electric compass. Hmmm.... sort of like a decent quality compass, eh? The whole "Sight'n'Go" is nothing revolutionary. It's simply an electronic adaptation of orienteering 101.

Why don't you just buy a quality liquid-filled compass for about $10 and save yourself some cash? They're more accurate than those electronic compasses anyway. When you're stationary, simply read the bearing off your GPS and use the compass to point yourself in the right direction. That's what I've done for years and I'm able to get closer with a compass and my Venture HC than my buddies can with their Summit HC's and Vista HCx's 9 times out of 10.

opinions?

The mapping isn't a big concern to me. Which is better and why? Thanks.

I'm looking at either a Garmin GPS 72 or an iFinder. Maps are nice, but I don't intend to spend extra for the expensive Lowrance mapping CDs. The built in map is pretty basic, so that isn't going to be a deciding factor for me. Any comments about these two, disregarding that the iFinder has the mapping?

quote:Originally posted by BrianSnat: quote:I read later that it was about a 5 or 6 year old unit ....... a guy at work offered to give me his eTrex Venture for it. Should I pass? I'm thinking I'll pass. 5-6 years old? Is it a 12 channel receiver? If not I'd jump on the Venture in a minute. _"You can't make a man by standing a sheep on his hind legs. But by standing a flock of sheep in that position, you can make a crowd of men" - Max Beerbohm_ Yes, it's 12 channel and from everything I've read has excellent acquisition times even in heavy cover.

Lowrance GlobalMap 100 - $61 on ebay

Thanks!

Well... sounds like I got my $61 worth. I'm very relieved now that I didn't jump at something that wasn't up to today's standards. I read later that it was about a 5 or 6 year old unit and I was a bit worried that I'd made a mistake. Now all I need is a data cable and a cig lighter adapter. BTW... a guy at work offered to give me his eTrex Venture for it. Should I pass? I'm thinking I'll pass.

Heh... not that I'm aware of, Wartide.

cable for computer? How does that work? Don't you need expensive software to use it? I'll probably just triple-check my coordinate before saving them as a waypoint just to make sure I'm not heading on a wild goose chase.

Hi. I'm new to this whole geocaching thing. It started Wednesday when my bro and I went scouting in the woods for deer sign. We found an area about 1/4 acre where there were 7-8 nice rubs. We were pretty deep in the woods and wished we could mark the spot and that's when I decided I needed a GPSr. So I'm reading about it all and some guy mentioned www.geocaching.com. So, my wife and I decided to get in on it. Started looking on ebay and was watching about 15 units. Later, when I went back and looked, I noticed that one was about 12 minutes from being over. It was a GlobalMap 100. I did some quick (and I mean quick) research on it and decided to bid. I ended up getting it for $61. How well will this unit serve me. Did I screw up? I could have gotten a Garmin 12 for $110. Thoughts please?