Adventureguy

I have the garmin 76s... I've found a somewhat similar problem that happens on a rare occasion when I'm having trouble getting a signal, or have just started to lose it. My GPSr will generally show that I've taken off in some random direction at a really really high rate of speed (example: sitting in my house the other day, the GPS managed to get a fix while I was flipping through the menus... When it lost the fix it suddenly showed me moving at 450+ mph, away from my house. Although I don't know how to fix this problem, or why it has happened, just thought I'd let you know there is some other weird (and possibly related) problems out there.

Well, after months of searching, I decided to go with the 76s (liked the external antenna capability, and quadrifiler antenna). So far I think the unit is great. I even managed to get a fix (5 sats) while sitting in a central bathroom in my house with the door closed... Unusual, yes. But, still, if I'm ever lost in my house, at least I can find my way home. I'm still playing with all the features of this unit... So far the hardest thing to figure out has been the barometer/altimeter. It always seems to show climbs and descents while standing perfectly still. Overall it has been pretty accurate, but this up/down trend throws the total ascent/descent figures way off. I left the unit powered up for most of a weekend, it managed to "ascend 10,000 feet" while sitting perfectly still at 905' MSL. Again, I'm still learning all the features, and I might not be calibrating it properly, so I'll keep everyone posted. So far though, I have no other complaints and love the new unit.

I was just below Camp Muir on Rainier two years ago when the weather became a complete white-out. We were only using a map and compass, but a climber nearby had a gps (can't recall which unit now)... he said it was working fine. Obviously a lot of factors come in to play on this one, and if you are planning to climb Rainier I'm sure you are aware of that. But, in that particular instance the guy near us on the Muir snowfield was having no trouble finding his way around with the GPSr. Hope that little bit of insight helps, and good luck on your climb!!!

The 76s that I was trying out did get a 3D lock, and it took about 5 minutes... The Vista got a 3D lock in about one minute, and showed more sats. Your mention of the one unit being initialized and the other not seems very possible. How do you like your 76s? (Back to the original question, has it performed well under tree cover for you?)

So, reading all of this thread seems to beg another question... How well do the GPSr's work with the topographic map software (Mapsource TOPO, Mapsend, etc)? Personally, I have no real use for metroguide (or the like from other manufacturers), but I'm certainly planning to get some uploadable topographic maps to go with whichever new GPSr I ultimatley buy... However, an error of 500' on a topographic map could be a really bad thing (one side of a canyon or the other, etc.). Obviously with any technology the user has to be prepared to use some common sense, and this certainly applies to a handheld unit designed to tell you exactly where you are anywhere in the world! But, still, if the TOPO maps are off by a few hundred feet consistently, then I see no reason to shell out the money for them instead of just using USGS paper maps in conjunction with the GPSr. Any thoughts? Have you guys used the topographic map programs in your GPS's? Which company (Magellan, Garmin, etc.) has the best topographic maps that can be uploaded to their receivers? Thanks, all !!!

Thanks for the advice everyone... But, this is sort of interesting (I think). I went to a local store tonight and talked an employee into letting me get a side-by-side comparison of the vista and GPSmap76s. By the time I went there tonight I was already pretty convinced I was going to go with the 76s (mainly because it sounds like it has a stronger receiver and the capability to add an external antenna -- I plan to be in the woods A LOT). So, anyway, I turn both of the receivers on, and the vista gets a lock on our position before the 76s and maintains more sat's throughout our "field test" I only really got to play with the units for about 5 minutes before the employee was needed inside again... but I can't really figure out why the so-called "weaker" receiver seemed to get a better fix than the "stronger" one. (by the way... I initially held the vista horizontally, and the 76s vertically... as I have read they are intended to be used... but also tried both receivers in a number of positions). I really wish I would have had a chance to try them in the woods!!! I decided I would once again hit the message boards before making a final decision. So, to you Vista and 76s owners, how well have your receivers worked for you under dense tree cover (have you been able to keep a position at all)??? Thanks for all the help!!! -Kevin

Hi all! Well, I'm sort of at a loss for which unit to choose (the gpsmap76s, etrex vista, or magellan platinum). I'm not just looking to geocache with this gps... I also do a lot of hiking in very remote and heavily wooded wilderness areas (often off trail) and need the gps that would be most reliable under heavy tree cover since it is always nice to be able to quickly find your way out of the wilderness at the end of a trip. Currently I use a Garmin GPS40... It is about a 1994 vintage single channel receiver, so it is pretty outdated. My unit never locks or holds a lock under more than moderate tree cover, and doesn't work in the woods at all unless I get it locked before I go in (which isn't really an option when I'm ten miles into a wilderness area). Again, I know this unit is quite outdated, and realize that all GPS units prefer a clear sky. Anyway, I can't seem to pick between the three units I named above. The vista has a price advantage, as well as being very compact and simple to use. The GPS76s seems like it has a better antenna from what I've read, and has a nice interface, although I hear it needs oriented in a certain position to work (what is a quad-helix antenna anyway???). Then there is the Platinum... I've never had a Magellan, and I've heard both good and bad things about them. So, anyway, which gps do you folks think would best hold a lock under heavy tree cover, and still allow me to both navigate in the wilderness (I like the "sensors") and geocache? Thanks for the help!!! -Kevin