Atilla the Pun

... but have you looked at the Digital Navigation Assistant? Like the 76s it will have an external antenna connection. Also, you can add your own maps via SD card or just not bother with maps. The review that (I believe) markusby wrote spoke very highly of the unit. AtP

You ressurected a four-month dead thread why? To add your scathing wit? No, that's not it. , just incase you weren't bright enough to figure it out on your own....> Now be a smart boy and let it die again. AtP

Why is HDOP greater than VDOP? AtP

Some sites (like Geocaching.com) use HDD MM.MMM Other's use UTM, or DD.DDD. So what I'm asking is, are you putting in your home co-ords in the format requested, and does the site have a map for that location? If you live in the US, you should be pretty will covered between Map Blast, TopoZone, MS Terraserver, and a bunch of other places. Outside the US I'm not at all sure what the coverage is like, but TopoZone uses USGS maps, and they map the world, so you should be covered there..... AtP

Some sites (like Geocaching.com) use HDD MM.MMM Other's use UTM, or DD.DDD. So what I'm asking is, are you putting in your home co-ords in the format requested, and does the site have a map for that location? If you live in the US, you should be pretty will covered between Map Blast, TopoZone, MS Terraserver, and a bunch of other places. Outside the US I'm not at all sure what the coverage is like, but TopoZone uses USGS maps, and they map the world, so you should be covered there..... AtP

The sun roof will only help if you have it open. No external antenna connection on the eTrex line. Don't know who's bashing Magellans, I have a Map 330 and love it. AtP

The sun roof will only help if you have it open. No external antenna connection on the eTrex line. Don't know who's bashing Magellans, I have a Map 330 and love it. AtP

quote:Originally posted by CrossRidgers:I did a bit of research on the Garmin rino's. There are 2 models- the 110 which is FRS and there is the 120 which is the FRS/GMRS. They are indeed compatable with any other FRS or GMRS radios. FYI- the GPS unit on the 120 is similar to the Legend unit but with a better antenna. Very cool gadgets. -CrossRidgers Could you please point me to the source of your information that shows the 110 as FRS? And I seriously doubt that the 120 is truely a FRS/GMRS hybrid. I am far more inclined to believe that it is a GMRS radio. GMRS shares the bottom 7 channles with FRS. Respectfully, AtP

quote:Originally posted by barefoot&twinkle:Two long stories short - on my first day solo out in the field, I lost the handheld portion in the forest for a good four hours (yikes!) *Barefoot* Why didn't you just mark a waypoint where you set it down? AtP

quote:Originally posted by barefoot&twinkle:Two long stories short - on my first day solo out in the field, I lost the handheld portion in the forest for a good four hours (yikes!) *Barefoot* Why didn't you just mark a waypoint where you set it down? AtP

...and the color. AFAIK that's the only differences. AtP

330x with maps, mount, and cable for $200 is, IMHO the best bang for the buck. I used to think the MeriGold was just a Map 330 in a new shell, but some recent firmware revisions have changed my mind on that. If you have $300 budgeted I would probably go with the MeriGold (or save a few more $$$and get the Meridian Platinum for under $350 I think). I have used a friend's eTrex Vista, which has some very nice features. However my Map 330x grabs signal from satellites much better than his Vista, so I'm very unimpressed with patch antennas as compared to quad helix. I would stay away from the eTrex line because of that, but there are others on these boards who'll say differently. Enjoy! AtP

330x with maps, mount, and cable for $200 is, IMHO the best bang for the buck. I used to think the MeriGold was just a Map 330 in a new shell, but some recent firmware revisions have changed my mind on that. If you have $300 budgeted I would probably go with the MeriGold (or save a few more $$$and get the Meridian Platinum for under $350 I think). I have used a friend's eTrex Vista, which has some very nice features. However my Map 330x grabs signal from satellites much better than his Vista, so I'm very unimpressed with patch antennas as compared to quad helix. I would stay away from the eTrex line because of that, but there are others on these boards who'll say differently. Enjoy! AtP

Ahh, FUD, you gotta love it! AtP

quote:Originally posted by jfitzpat:Not at all, I posted the comment pretty early and just assumed that the loyalists would leap in. I'm sorry if it seemed personal. -jjf No problems here. All I'm interested in is the facts. They're not always what we'd like them to be, but we can only ignore them to our own detriment. AtP

quote:Originally posted by jfitzpat:Not at all, I posted the comment pretty early and just assumed that the loyalists would leap in. I'm sorry if it seemed personal. -jjf No problems here. All I'm interested in is the facts. They're not always what we'd like them to be, but we can only ignore them to our own detriment. AtP

...I put it into my Bio. If I end up with more than one then I'll put it in when I log the cache. AtP

quote:Originally posted by jfitzpat:Despite intense brand loyalty,... Just on the off chance that was directed at me, I have no brand loyalty. I cited the field experience I had (patch antenna vs quad helix, patch lost) and pointed to features that seemed to be what the poster requested. Thanks for your input about the MeriPlat's compass, I will research that further before deciding on my next GPS. I was leaning towards the MeriPlat, not becuase it's Magellan but for the features vs cost. Now I'll check it out. The 76S looks good too, especially with the external antenna connector, but cost is a factor. AtP

Minute War Game two will begin soon. If you want to play, go pick a team you want to be on! Login to the message group and take the two polls to pick a team. Thanks, AtP

Minute War Game two will begin soon. If you want to play, go pick a team you want to be on! Login to the message group and take the two polls to pick a team. Thanks, AtP

quote:Originally posted by GOT GPS?:To display mapping on an external device requires computing hardware. What you are asking cannot be done. So certain are you? Always with you it can not be done.voice> I might also add that I am not "asking" for anything, I am offering something if there is interest. quote:I have been in electronics for years, and studied GPS technology. I worked in Defense electronics for over 12 years before starting a new career as a computer technician, sysadmin, network admin, etc. Many devices other than PC's use RS-232 serial ports. quote:Only 3 ways to see mapping on an external display:1) Digital video out I disgarded this idea right off the bat. quote:2) Computing hardware to convert the data out of a gps into something that you can see on an external screen. Methods this might be accomplished by will be left as an excercise for the student. Let me just add that "computing hardware" does not absolutely mean PC hardware and software. quote:3)modify existing gps units to work with an external display panel. This seems the same as #1 above to me. No disrespect is intended in any of my above responses. I just want you to be aware that I am looking for a solution that does not yet exist and I am considering developing it. Wether or not I come to market with a finished product is another issue entirely. Respectfully, AtP

The Windows Calculator (Start | Run and type in "calc" and hit Enter) will convert between Decimal, Hexidecimal, Binary and Octal. When the calculator is running click on View | Scientific and you'll see buttons to change the base. Select the base to start with (Hex for the raw Geocache number) and type in the number, then click on the base you want to convert to. AtP

...you really don't get what I'm trying to accomplish here, do you? If I wanted a laptop or tablet (pen-top) PC I'd go buy one. This is not what I want for numerous reasons, including power consumption, cost, durability and many others. I'll grant that what I'm looking at is a niche market within a niche market. However I think the market is there, and if it isn't, it won't take that much to find out. AtP

Well, as I said, post the FCC ID number on the GMRS Web board. They'll be able to tell you for certain if these are GMRS or a "hybrid". I haven't heard of a hybrid yet, FWIW.... AtP

quote:Originally posted by gnbrotz:Tonight I picked up two BellSouth FRS/GMRS radios for $10 each. They were actually cheaper the the FRS only models they had. After reviewing the forums and visiting http://www.gmrsweb.com/ , I think I've learned a few things. I'll list my observations below for comments from anyone who could help me learn more. 1. The amateur radio community is not in favor of these types of combo radios, because they feel it will lead to the degredation, and ultimately the deregulation of the GMRS channels. GMRS has nothing to do with Amature radio it's a different license and a different frequency. But you are correct about the feeling among GMRS licensees. These are probably not "combo" radios, contrary to the propaganda from Bell South's marketing droids. They are GMRS radios that have been "stripped down" to run with reduced power. GMRS and FRS share the bottom seven frequencies. While these radios may have a 1/2W output on the lower 7 channels (rather than the 5W available to GMRS) they are probably still set up for the frequency deviation for GMRS rather than FRS. quote:2. My radio lists 500mW TX power output, so although GMRS is capable of a longer range than FRS, my units specifically will be limited because of the low power output. That's probably a good assesment. Also, can you change the antenna? No FRS radio can have a removeable antenna. If you can change the antenna then these are GMRS radios. The antenna can be used to increase the transmitter gain over 1/2 W. quote:3. I will have to purchase a license to (legally) use the GMRS channels on my radio. With the limited power output of my radio, all I would gain for my $75 license fee is an additional 8 channels to use, but no real improved performance over an FRS radio. You will have to purchase a GMRS license to legally use any of the features of this radio, for the reasons stated above. Go back to the GMRS Web board and post the FCC ID number of these radios and ask if they are truely GMRS or if they might an actual hybrid FRS/GMRS radio. I just kind of dabble in this stuff on the side.