ksat

Robert - Thanks a lot for your help and information. I will give this a few tries (hopefully, only 1 will be needed!) and get back with you if I have further questions... Agian - thanks for the help and direction! KSAT

So, Earth currently utilizes GPSBabel to make some of it's conversions? Very nice... I suppose I'll have to perform this conversion myself then import the resulting .kml manually, correct? I used GPSVisualizer for my initial conversion then imported the .kml into GoogleEarth and got the flat track - but, I could not modify this track for ABSOLUTE altitude setting - the option was simply not available. In the command above, what is the trackfile format it is looking for? Is it .log? If it's anything else, I'm a bit lost as to how to save the track to the other formats... I've tried MapSend DirectRoute software and such..but, it can export to .xls which doesn't buy me much - that I can tell. Thanks... KSAT

Need some help for all you conversion experts out there... I trying to get a saved track log from a hot air balloon flight into Google Earth. While I have successfully converted the basic .log file into a .kml file and can see the actual track, the track lacks the koolest part of the log - altitude. I've check all my settings and can't seem to pinpoint where the issue is - whether it's with the kml file not having the right information or not being read correctly. If someone could point me to the right place for additional information or lend a helping hand, I would much appreciate it. Thanks! KSAT UPDATE: It appears as though what I'm wanting to do CAN NOT be done with the FREE version of GoogleEarth - Spending $20 seems to be in order. If anyone else has tried this, please let me know what you have found. Thanks!

Geognerd - tell me where your neighbor hood is and I'll snap a shot of the area for ya. If what you see will work for you, then you can buy v3 as I just did... Since this was my first detailed map, I figured it best that I start with the very latest... But, I can surely help other cachers decide if they want to upgrade or not. Let me know...anyone else, let me know! KSAT

Though I'm a newbie GPSr owner, I recently picked up a: Magellan eXplorist XL What an awesome Christmas gift to myself!!

I've been searching for the new part number 980654-04 for DR v3 and haven't had much luck. Everything I have found is priced around the $110 - $150 mark and has been backordered or out of stock. Based on what I've seen, the online retailers probably don't have the product yet, but, are speculating that they will be receiving it soon and placed a low-ball price on out-of-stock items simply to attract customers. Since I recently purchased my eXplorist XL not long ago, I suspect I have v3 on the DVD. Guess I'll have to drop the $150 for what I've got or wait and wait and wait...and try to get v3 on the cheap from another online retailer.

I've emailed Magellan on this issue last week. It appears the version on BUY.COM is version 2.0 - No wonder it is only $69!! Here is the response I received: MapSend DVD We have some exciting news about Direct Route v3. As some people may already know, this has started to ship with some of the units, such as the eXplorist 210, 400, 500, 600, and the eXplorist XL. This media may be able to be ordered through customer service at 866-339-0488. The part number for this DVD is 980654-04. Please note that the update only comes on DVD, so you must have a DVD ROM on your computer to install these programs. Activation is required and done via the internet, so an active internet connection must be present to unlock the maps that you choose to purchase. The updated software is only in DVD format and must have an active connection. It is not in any other media form or authorized in any other format. Magellan Technical Support Mon - Fri, 6AM - 5PM PST ' (800) 707-9971 USA & Canada ' (909) 394-5000 Outside USA www.magellangps.com

Nice to see another balloon pilot in the group. Hopefully soon I can take the title as well - for now, I must stick with "student/crew." Either way, its in my future and I don't want to get stuck trying to read a compass heading thats 180 degrees off and try to mentally compensate for it. Both brands have their pros and cons... Talk about a hard decision. Maybe I'll wait until '06 to see what both release. I understand some of the the Meridian series will be discontinued as some of the Garmin's have their issues (and no 3-axis compass).

Newbie - Born and Raised in Cincinnati. Now live just north of the city in Fairfield Twp. Cincinnati - Home of: the Reds, Bengals, Skyline Chili, Larosa's Pizza, and Graeter's Ice Cream.

The primary reason for this is to reduce loading time. If you try to load a map of a single city, the speed is fairly respectable. However, if you try to load a state, your PocketPC will literally appear to have locked up. Larger areas that utilize about 3-4 MB even take a while to load on my Dell Axim 624Mhz X30i. That, and when the PocketPC attempts to load that map, it needs a place to put it to work with it. Most PocketPC have a limited amount of RAM to work with. It may not even be feasible to load a 10MB map if you don't have enough RAM. Limited? Yes, but, for a good reason.

Well - most pilots use a Garmin eTrex. But, I would personally like something with more capabilities in and out of the balloon. The FlyTec will be the primary source of information for altitude and such. The GPS will be a comparitive device. My main concern was with the difference in electronic compasses in each GPS. Like I said, the Magellan's appear to utilize a 3-axis electronic compass. The Garmin's don't specify but appear to have problems when being held in an upright position. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for the reply! In the balloon basket, typically, you'll want the GPS at eye level. The burner is right above your head - about 1' - 1.5' away. The tanks, typically stainless steel, Aluminum, or Titanium, are on the bottom of the basket, lying down or standing up - about 3' away. Will this really cause a whole lot of interference with the GPS? I wouldn't expect it to, but, I don't know... really. There are no FAA regulations pertaining to the calibration of Balloon navigational instruments that I am aware of - this is primarily due to the nature of the aircraft. It is considered a lighter-than-air aircraft and unguidable. The only exception is that of the altimeter/variometer. But, a FlyTec 3040 will resolve that issue and several more for me! I too have seen plenty of Meridians around...and I have seen the Explorists 500/600/XL models all over the place. Magellan's website is TERRIBLE for removing discontinued products from their lists of products so it is very difficult to determine what is new and what is old. Does your Platinum have the 3-axis Electronic Compass that Magellan has been advertising lately? I keep reading about this feature but am unable to find any reviews about the accuracy compared to a "standard" electronic compass that operates on 2-axis. Thanks again, KSAT

All, I thought I'd turn to the pro's and the experienced for this queestion... I'm looking to buy a GPS unit for multiple purposes. Primarily, caching and ballooning. That's right - Hot Air Ballooning! I'm a student pilot looking to buy a balloon and a GPS will be a must - so I want to get a decent one without breaking the already broken bank! However - I have a concern about the types of electronic compass many units have. From what I understand, for most (if not, all) of the Garmin GPS units, you must hold the unit level - flat. For many of the Magellan units, you can hold them 'naturally' as they have a 3-axis electronic compass. While I like both units, certain Magellan units are more affordable but appears to have more issues than the Garmin units (which are more expensive). This issue is can be critical because the GPS will be mounted to an upright on the balloon - thus, not horizontal which will lead to inaccurate readings. Can anyone speak to this 'issue' and suggest a device which is best suited? Prior to Christmas, I was looking at the Magellan SportTrak Color Topo (which I can't seem to find anymore). Now, while Magellan still looks like a good option, many of your postings about the Magellan units have me worried and thinking about a Garmin - 60CS comes to mind, but, does get a bit expensive. Ideally, I'd like to stay around the $300 range. Another critical feature is detailed road maps - so we know where we are in the air...Altimiter also required. I think most have this though. Thanks... KSAT