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yogazoo

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Everything posted by yogazoo

  1. I'll bet you're equally surprised to see all modern Garmins locking on to sats before the boot-up process is fully complete. Usually within seconds. Yes, even inside the house. I've done those in-the-house tests side-by-side with a Garmin 64sc and an Oregon 750 (I have a new Moto Droid Z). The phone never picks up as many satellites, ever. I know this doesn't mean anything in most cases since the number of sats in a location equation has diminishing returns, but it does speak to those instances in challenging environs where your straddling that line. Smartphones have existed mainly to sell you stuff. Google just wants to know if you're at Cheapy-Mart or the Burger Queen across the street. A major financial motivation to tweak and refine hardware and software to provide the user with high levels of GPS accuracy just doesn't exist. Every tracklog, waypoint, geocache, and any other measure of comparison has given me all the evidence I need.
  2. Using a simple algorithm (^BP=^EL) I agree with the above statement. A more complex calculation however could help reduce some demons associated with the ever-changing nature of barometric pressure. A change in pressure doesn't always indicate a change in elevation, yet a change in elevation almost always results in a change in pressure. Soooo... Garmin units can make moving rise/run calculations as reported in several data fields. Garmin handhelds also use an underlying DEM (if embedded in loaded map) to predict route elevation. Why not use either predicted or map based elevational data to help control for non-elevation related fluctuations in barometric pressure? The result wouldn't be perfect, but dadgum it would have to be better than the current method. I'm not sure what autocalibration does or how it does it, but perhaps something along those lines already occurs. On a separate yet related note, speaking to cowboy hat wearing, tennis players under the sea. If allowed to adjust both baro and altitude independently, one could, at least in the short-term, experience more accurate numbers. This is what the OP discussed. Before someone says it, I know I know, these are just consumer-grade units and there are other fish to fry. But, on the other hand, if Garmin doesn't deliver the best location information possible given the hardware, they may be missing a chance to appeal to those purely navigational/informational users. For example, the reported EPE data. Engineers wanted the EPE number to reflect a 95% confidence interval. Marketing wanted 50% to make that number smaller. As a result, we get less useful data sacrificed for the wow factor of a smaller error number. I digress
  3. Although I feel as though a simple firmware update could solve this problem, if only a small percentage of users find this to be a problem, I don't think Garmin will expend the energy. It would be simple to temporarily unchain the two numbers and allow for independent calibration of each. Just takes the motivation of us users who find it worthy of fixing to contact Garmin and place a request. I'm not putting the persistent problem on us, that's just the way it is. I will commit to contacting Garmin once monthly with the calibration request. This is also not meant to detract from Garmin in any way. Their software engineers are overworked and underpaid and can't possibly respond to all the feature requests under the sun. The fact that they will if enough requests are made is a credit to them.
  4. To the OP, I understand the adjustment you're referring to and this thread struck a cord when I read it. The old Magellan Meridian used to allow the user to adjust pressure and elevation independently from one another so you could dial them both in perfectly. I appreciated that adjustment so much that about 6 years ago I wrote an email to Garmin outlining the procedure and benefits. Their reply was that this adjustment simply wasn't something they were concerned with (not many users really gave a $@#¥) so it probably wouldn't be implemented. I'm always annoyed when I calibrate to the right pressure and the elevation is off or vise versa. Newer Garmin units that autocalibrate seem to work this disparity out over time and I haven't been as annoyed as I was with the Oregon 300 or 450. I'd give it a few days/weeks in continuous calibration mode and see what happens. I also emailed Garmin about an additional digit (hundredths) while using/calibrating inches of mercury units for the barometric pressure. I heard back asking me to clarify but after that I heard nothing but crickets. Only being able to adjust to the tenths when using inches of mercury puts you at a resolution disadvantage compared to using millibars. But, again, Garmin responds to volume of requests/complaints and since its lost on most users I'm not holding my breath. Cheers,
  5. I just purchased a lightly used Nuvi with Lifetime Maps from a popular auction site for $35 shipped. Why anyone would purchase the Lifetime Maps for a handheld ($89) and use it for auto navigation anymore is beyond me. Even the one-time update maps are more expensive. Just look on internet auction sites and pick up a nice Nuvi "LM" model and enjoy the 5, 6, or 7 inch screen in your car.
  6. Have you spoken to anyone under 18 lately? Pokémon GO is a thing of the past, a total fad that has died out already. When it comes to cyber games, people (especially youth), have absolutely no attention span. The fact that Geocaching has been around for decades is a testament to its long term viability as an actual game and activity for the family. Speaking to the quality of caches, I agree. It's a great topic to bring up at the next local Geocaching group meeting. Local chapters and the level of involvement by the Geocaching community can make a big difference.
  7. I wouldn't compare the camera on the 750 to a point-n-shoot. It's not really in the same playing field. However, it's comparable to a good phone camera and I'm glad I always have it with me (because I always have my GPS on me). One trend I've noticed in millennials, some are pushing back against being connected all the time. Albeit my sample size is fairly small, I see more and more of them with dumb phones. A GPS doesn't violate this code of anti-connectivity ethics. The only reason I mention this is because I feel there will always be a market for what some consider redundant or useless in light of a smartphone.
  8. I love Gizzmovest cases but I'm not a huge fan of the metal clip they come with. Below is a mod done only on the spine mount piece, leaving the Gizzmovest intact. As Montana owners know, trying to attatch the Unit to a pack strap can be a challenge. I love the quick attach-detach nature of the button clip. The modification requires drilling holes into the spine mount clip itself to allow for the 550 cord on the Gizzmovest to weave through and hold it securely.
  9. I've had both of these units in the past. I have very fond memories of my Meridian Platinum. It sounds like the LCD got baked in the sun. Usually, when this happens, you'll need to buy a new LCD and replace it. Sometimes auction sites have parts like this if you're handy enough to open the unit up and do a little soldering. I'm unaware of any way to reverse this effect.
  10. Garmin has locked the 100k topo to the unit. Transferring it won't work. You won't miss the extra memory if you purchase an sd card. It won't be any slower either. I have the 750 and in my experience it takes stellar photos that are better than my phone's. It may be a stronger commentary of my phone but seriously, takes fine pics. The other reason I purchased the 750 is for the flashlight. I'm surprised how handy it is to have this as a primary or backup light for navigating at night.
  11. Having a lower screen resolution is entirely by design. One can easily, EASILY, read their Garmin screen in a variety of lighting conditions and in many cases without a backlight at all. Most phones have you crank up the backlight for marginal readability in bright sunlight which is a serious battery drain for marginal benefits. There is engineering science behind the increase in ambient light reflectivity of lower resolution screens. Garmin knows their customer base and under what conditions they use their devices.
  12. We'll, for starters, my new nuvi has a 7 inch screen that I don't have to squint to see. And when my wife calls me on the road, I don't have to abort navigation. I can also load Topo maps with public land boundaries and other custom maps on my nuvi. Phone map choices are limited. Nuvi's have come down in price and are feature packed for navigation. Take Red's advice if your serious about choosing what's right for you. There's plenty of information out there to base your own decisions on.
  13. Right you are Red. The photo below, from Garmin's 276cx page, is where my impression was made. Clearly, however, not meant for the geocaching crowd which was my main point.
  14. Love the talk of "Garmin Killing" . Anyone who's been around as long as you should know that OSM maps are freely available for Garmin units. Link: http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl Who on earth would use the 276cx as a comparative point here? That's a marine chart plotter type device and is of course much more expensive. My Oregon 750 is one of the best navigation / gecoaching devices I've ever owned. The Oregon 600 is another great device that is relatively inexpensive these days.
  15. You can have plenty of different Profiles in Classic Mode. In fact the same profiles are in Classic Mode as are in Activity mode. You can either change the profiles in Setup or add the App to your drawer or Main Menu. Could the "two copies"of the tracklog be a GPX and a FIT?
  16. Mine did. I had no issues. Did you ever get it to load?
  17. Notes: This release is intended to support Connect IQ developers to begin creating apps, widgets, and data fields for Oregon 7xx using the new features introduced in Connect IQ 2.2. New feature: Intents. This release adds Connect IQ app intents. Intents can be used to launch and pass data to other apps and widgets. New feature: Persisted Content. Connect IQ developers now have access to Tracks, Routes, and Waypoints stored on the device, and have the ability to launch any of these files via an intent from their app. New feature: Downloadable Content. Connect IQ developers now have the ability to download Tracks, Routes, and Waypoints from the web and add them to the device from their app. Change History Changes made from version 2.60 to 2.62: -Added support for Connect IQ Apps and Widgets -Added background download of geocache descriptions, hints, and logs for geocaching.com premium members -Improved Geocache Lists experience by adding bookmark lists as well as fixing some issues -Fixed possible issues using Connect IQ Data Fields -Fixed possible issue where calories were not recording with a heart rate monitor connected -Fixed possible shutdown while measuring distance on the map -Fixed fit file support for track logs with greater than 20,000 points -Fixed possible issue reconnecting to speed and cadence sensors after a power cycle -Fixed display issue after rotating on the notification page -Fixed issue where live geocaches would overwrite geocaches loaded via .gpx file -Fixed inconsistant data reporting for current tracks and saved tracks http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=11083
  18. Can't advise you on your desired process but I had a friend who had a Satmap and found it to be ok for his uses once he figured out how to operate it. He uses that and a Garmin Montana switching between them based on his activity. He caches but also hunts, fishes, hikes, backpacks, paddles, and wouldn't dream of using his iPhone strapped to the front of his kayak. Since he does other things, a Garmin suits him better for all purposes.
  19. Funny. Do you want a data connection to magically appear out of nothing? And "they" are doing what every other connected non-phone device on the market does, use your phone's data connection. Huh?
  20. I think I know what's going on here so bear with me. Tracklog data on the unit is recorded at a rate of once per second regardless of the recording interval. So if you have the tracklog set to Auto-Most Often, you will still have values calculated once per second regardless of the smoothing "Auto" setting dictates. When you bring that tracklog into BaseCamp, the distance and elevation are calculated using the track points in the tracklog (truncated by the Auto setting). This was done to address those complaining about incorrect distance values who didn't understand that any interval setting less than 1 per second would smooth or truncate the values. The symptoms here support the theory. The tracklog values, when read on the GPS, are showing you the data at intervals of once per second. This would lead to higher elevation and distance values then when the truncated tracklog is brought into BaseCamp/Strava which reads only the data in the trackpoints (which is truncated by the "Auto" setting making the values lower. To test this theory, simply change your recording interval to once per second on the GPS device. The "once per second" data will be identical to the tracklog points. All three, the GPS, BaseCamp, and Strava should all be the same.
  21. I agree with everyone here that sending GPX data to your Garmin cloud account via BaseCamp mobile app was a great piece of functionality. Plenty of agency folks use Garmin's for collecting data. Having the ability to transfer waypoints and tracks to the cloud, and retrieve them on the PC without needing the GPS present was perfect. Alas, fitness and geocaching seem to be the strategic focus when implementing new features and functionality. All the new devices implement Connect Mobile quite well. Field rats and those who use Garmin devices everyday for data collection at work make due with a good old fashioned mini USB cable.
  22. If only for geocaching, there are indeed pros and cons for just using a phone. If you intend to use the device for some hiking as well, and spending the $$ fits in your budget, the Oregon 7xx is a great choice. Rugged, waterproof, easy to read screen in most lighting conditions, carries on your pack strap, field replaceable batteries. I'm not willing to dive into the GPS vs Phone debate either, but if your budget allows, my opinion is that a Garmin is best suited as a general device for all outdoor activities. Many people are more than happy just using their phones for geocaching. Do a bit of research and decide what's best for you.
  23. Yes, you can lock/unlock the screen easily. Multipart question. Multipart answer. You can always load a PQ GPX/GGZ file via computer but your questions are about Live Geocaching data. There are two ways to download Live data, 1) download a "Geocaching List" which is simply a PQ that you've built in your GC.com account, and 2) using the map, you can pan anywhere and download 25 caches that are closest to the center of the map (where you panned or you can use your current location). There is no limit (that I'm aware of) on how many times you can download the 25 caches so you can pan around to specific areas and keep downloading. The Live downloads consist of the Geocache locations without the Log/Description info. It allows you to download the Log/Description info by selecting a geocache you want to find and hit "GO". At that point the device will wirelessly download the Log/Description info. Once found, the unit will change the icon from a closed treasure box to an open treasure box. As the data will be live, the Oregon 7xx won't download caches that have been discontinued. Normally, after caches are found, they're identified as an open treasure chest icon. That icon makes identifying found caches easy. You could also filter out found caches in the geocache filter, but there seems to be reports that this ability isn't working at the moment. Garmin is aware of the issue and will likely soon issue a fix. There is no way that I'm aware of to target and outright delete found caches short of using GSAK to edit a PQ. Live Geocaching data (data downloaded wirelessly on the fly, can be deleted but it's an all or nothing kind of deal. But, with the changing of the icon, you don't really need to in my opinion. Good luck with your decision. Plenty of people like using the eTrex 30 but I feel the Oregon 7xx is in another league in many respects. Compared to the Triton 400, it's in another universe. Consider your Tritons experience with gravity a fortunate event. As someone who had a brief and disappointing run with a Triton, you're going to like using a Garmin so much more. Yoga
  24. The new Rino's are now shipping and I have a pair on the way. From my understanding, it's basically an Oregon 7xx defaulted to Classic Mode but with the addition of radio features. And great radio features at that. The new Rino shares the same capacitive screen and same UI as the Oregon 7xx. Camera and LED flashlight/flash. The only thing it lacks from the Oregon 7xx is WIFI capabilities. Bluetooth, yes. I'm fine without WIFI on an outdoor device that has so many high-end two way communication features and position sending capabilities.
  25. Just so others know if the Oregon was in Glonass/GPS/WAAS mode it would be much more accurate in all aspects then the others. I've compared these settings to non Glonass/GPS/WAAS tracks I've saved since 1998... You mentioned the drifts..with Glonass/GPS/WAAS on the drifts are minimal to say the least. GLONASS on is not always more accurate. The improvements in accuracy since 1998 are rooted more in GPS chip advancements. See this comparison and analysis done to test the accuracy of GLONASS. It confirms my anecdotes with regards to GLONASS but I have yet to formally test them. Like most things, the Russians like to copy the rest of the worlds technologies. But they seem to lack a desire to perfect them. In GPS as in airplanes. If it weren't for the tariffs, there may not be any devices with GLONASS implementation on the market today. GLONASS TEST LINK TO PDF
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