Crystal Sound

I recently purchased National Geographic's Topo! for my Mac. I've had a couple of program crashes, but otherwise it seems to run pretty stable. 1:25,000 scale maps. I'm awaiting my USB/Serial Adapter, so I've yet to try it with my GPS. I found it for $69 + shipping, online. EDIT: Recieved my Keyspan USB adapter last evening. Works perfectly with my Garmin Foretrex 101. I can up/download waypoints, track movement on the map, ect perfectly.

Not sure I can truly answer your question, other than to confirm that I've noticed the same thing. I've compared clocks set with GPS, to other time standards: (WWV, CHU, internet time servers, ect) and sometimes found several seconds worth of difference. Best answer I can give is that not *everyone* is sync'd with each other. (not everyone has "midnight" occuring at the same moment, for instance) FYI - I use GPS based time clocks for microsecond accurate synchronized measurement of power flows on transmission lines. We've found that the GPS system provides for a very accurate time reference to make sync'd measurements over a very large area (say, the entire U.S.A.). I'm currently running a test, and have 5 units operating in the same room. As far as I can tell, all 5 clocks are reading the same time. The clock radio in the corner of the lab is *still* blinking 12:00 though...

I've been reading posts in the forums and noted a number of geocachers (including myself) own ferrets. I've noticed that there are similarities between the two hobbies. Our furry friends tend to steal things and hide them, thus sending us searching or finding things hidden away somewhere. Similarly, our online friends hide things that we all search for. To keep this on-topic: Do any of the ferret owners here, take them caching with you? (Suitable weather & conditions, provided!)

Not to turn this into a Foretrex 101/201 cheer session, but I have to agree, the Foretrex units are pretty cool. I'd discovered geocaching by accident back in August. I'd thought about buying a GPS unit before then, but this cool hobby was enough to push me over the edge and go looking at units. I thought about shelling out some $$$ for a unit I could download maps, ect, but decided that the small size, and the wrist-mounting of the Foretrex easily outweighed the map benefit. Besides, I like the extra challenge. With the interface cable, i use a laptop with Streets & Trips for any road navigation i do, during travel. My work-around for the mapping feature. The compact size, makes it great for all the hiking, exploring, ect. With it strapped to my wrist, I'm less likely to lay it down somewhere and walk off. I went with the 101. As much as I liked the idea of the rechargeable batteries, I could see myself running out of battery power in a remote area. The ability to slip a couple extra AAAs into a pocket and be able to swap them out when needed seemed a better approach, for my own application/useage. I've been concerned about the pins that hold the strap onto the unit, but so far, I've not had any problems with it. I've thought, if i have an issue, i'll probabally do the adhesive approach, as one poster mentioned.

I use my GPS with MS Streets & Trips for navigation to some of my employers utility substations, as most are located in very out-of-the-way locations. (The utility covers multiple states, and I'm often traveling to remote areas.) We also use GPS receivers to sync the time of day clocks of various equipment. Some of which assists in very precise measurement of power flows. Not as much fun as geocaching, admittedly.