Jump to content

DBleess

+Charter Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    188

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by DBleess

    Garmin Gpsmap 60cs

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    On my legend I had an option to set a few waypoints as 'favorites'. Does anyone know of similar functionality or a work around? That's about all I miss from the legend.

    You could set them as proximity points too I suppose. Zero the distance if you don't want the alarm.

    Pocket Pc Usage?

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    Okay, my original Palm M130 worked pretty good. When it gave up the ghost I went to the Tungsten T3. Bad design. The battery is underpowered for the unit and not easily user replacable. I might have an internal short or something because it started appearing to not hold a charge. I figured it was the battery so I found out how to replace it and got parts. Once I did get it replaced, the unit does the same thing with the new battery as the old so it is an internal problem.

     

    Unit is out of warranty, and not worth fighting. Hello pocket pc.

     

    Any enlightened experiences from the pocket pc users out there to get me started? Also, what sites are out there with usage education, software, procedures and processes that apply to geocaching and benchmark hunting?

     

    What works and what doesn't?

    -Thanks

    Pocket Pc Usage?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Okay, my original Palm M130 worked pretty good. When it gave up the ghost I went to the Tungsten T3. Bad design. The battery is underpowered for the unit and not easily user replacable. I might have an internal short or something because it started appearing to not hold a charge. I figured it was the battery so I found out how to replace it and got parts. Once I did get it replaced, the unit does the same thing with the new battery as the old so it is an internal problem.

     

    Unit is out of warranty, and not worth fighting. Hello pocket pc.

     

    Any enlightened experiences from the pocket pc users out there to get me started? Also, what sites are out there with usage education, software, procedures and processes that apply to geocaching and benchmark hunting?

     

    What works and what doesn't?

    -Thanks

    Projecting A Webpoint

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Maybe surveying? Set a waypoint on a benchmark location, then set a bearing and distance to a lot corner, then describe the sides in bearings and lengths.

     

    You could describe a mile square or a farm field, or a dragstrip length, or anything with known angles and lengths from a starting point.

     

    I've seen words and pictures plowed into farm fields, this would be a good way to do that too. Set angles and segment lengths and plot the waypoints that way.

     

    There have been caches that I have found that use it just for giggles to be different.

     

    All I can tell you is that the feature is on both my Garmins. Dunno about other brands.

    Accuracy Of Old Units

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I own both a Garmin 48 and now a 60C.

     

    You can compare them here:

    http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/compare.jsp

     

    Out in the open, the 60C can pick up the WAAS satellite reliably and can easily get down to 7ft EPE (Estimated precision error)

     

    The 48 is good for 13 foot normally, and I saw it down as low as 8 once or twice while Desert Storm was in full swing and accuracy data on the satellites was updated constantly by the USAF.

     

    In tree cover, both are comparable as it is tough to get a clean lock on the WAAS satellite in dense tree cover. You'll see anywhere from 10-30 foot depending on the normal variables. Sky cover due to foliage and terrain, satellite geometry, and total number of satellites in view.

     

    The 60C's color / high resolution screen and larger waypoint, track, icon and add-on map capacities are what make it worthwhile there.

    Projecting A Webpoint

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    In the very simplest terms, it lets you set a new waypoint based on another known waypoint. Say you have a benchmark in the gps as a waypoint. You can set a new waypoint due east (bearing 090) at a distance of your choosing, say exactly 1 mile.

     

    The gps will calculate the coordinates of that new waypoint and assign them automatically.

     

    Does that help?

    Damaged Garmin 60cs

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Well, I took your advice and called Garmin's head office in the US, explained the situation, and they told me to send the unit to them and they'd charge me $50. to replace the screen - a savings of $100. from their usual $150. fee!  I'm impressed.  And, only a 7-10 day turnaround.

    Thanks for the posts.

    - PumpkinOneA

    That's always been my experience with Garmin, even going back with my GPS48. They've always bent over backwards in "warranty" and out-of-warranty support.

     

    That's the biggest reason I replaced my 48 with a 60C.

    60cs, Quest, Or Meri Color Traveler Pack

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    We have both the 60cs and the 76cs.  They are the same except for the memory and the physical form.  I'd get the 76cs over the 60cs, especially if you plan to use it in the car alot.  The Garmin 76cs cradle is much easier to get the GPSr in and out of than the one for the 60cs.

    60C can be made easy to deal with in an automotive mount. It all depends on how you mount it.

     

    http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...dpost&p=1018709

     

    The geocaching mode on the 60C isn't anything really all that special.

    If that's all your hung up on, discard it.

     

    My suggestion is if it is that big of a deal what you can do (and what I plan on doing if I end up having trouble under tree cover with my 76cs) is get an external antenna and attach it to a backpack strap or put a large metal washer under your hat and use the magnetic forces to keep the antenna on top of your head.

     

    There was another guy in the forums who puts his remote antenna in a pocket in the inside crown of a tilley hat.

     

    http://www.tilley.com/

     

    I also like where the buttons are on my 60C better than the 76.

    60c Accessories

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by DBleess

    Bracketron makes a cell phone dash mount for my truck:

     

    http://www.bracketron.com/

    http://www.bracketron.com/xmain/manuals/CHE-201-99.pdf

     

    Onto that I screwed on the Garmin bicycle handlebar mount bracket, and the tension screw lined up perfectly with a hole already on the bracketron bracket.

     

    http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10454%2D00

     

    This is the end result:

     

    dashcomp.jpg

     

    Out of the way but still in reach, takes some practice to operate while driving, and I wouldn't mess with it in heavy / fast traffic.

     

    I also use the GA27C magnetic roof-mount external antenna and the cig lighter power/pc data serial cable.

     

    http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10052%2D05

     

    http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10165%2D00

     

    Those two parts let me get better reception in hilly/forested areas, and interface to a pc while saving my batteries.

    Garmin Gpsmap 60cs

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I just ordered a new 60CS and wanted an external antenna.  The salesman sold me a Glisin? antenna for $25. He said the performance was as good as the Garwin which runs about $60 discounted. Anyone have experience with this antenna or reccomendations regarding external ants.

     

    I use the GA27C with my 60C.

     

    http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10052%2D05

     

    It comes with a suction cup mount and a magnetic pad. I screwed on the magnetic pad with the provided screws and I always slap it on top of my truck's roof when I'm in forested or hilly country. The view of the sky from the top of my truck is excellent compared to what the unit's antenna can see from my dash mount or what the remote antenna can see while simply sitting on my dashboard under the windshield.

     

    I've also used the suction cup mount -stuck into the back window of a Cessna 172 with similarly excellent reception results. When I put the antenna on the suction cup mount plate, I usually just rubber band it on instead of using the screws so I don't have to remove the magnetic base.

     

    The screws have a tendency to back out on the GA27C so it's advisable to seal them in with RTV to keep them from backing out or keep a supply of spares from the local hardware store. I couldn't find brass so I bought stainless.

     

    I'd say that all things being equal, it's the location of the antenna as much as anything that is going to affect performance.

    Pc Vs. Dedicated Gps Receiver?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by DBleess

    asbestos anyone?

     

    BC posted:

    I'm going to be as direct and as blunt

    That's one way of putting it.

    He would have been more accurate by saying he was "going to be a braying donkey (or mule, or that OTHER one)"

     

    ;) So, I need to make some clarifications.

     

    BC asked about (PC/Delorme/generic GPS) vs 60C, I have run both and plan to eventually run PC/Delorme/60C.

     

    http://www.delorme.com/software.htm

    http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/compare.jsp

     

    My 60C information is meant to help not just him (why bother?) but others who may have questions about that config and its good qualities or problems in relation to the original question. Finding a way to interface the 60C in various ways to Delorme software is relevant to that end for the Garmin owners who come here on a keyword search like I did originally.

     

    BC posted:

    No where in your OP did you mention that the top end [setup] that's going to "outperform" [display rates on] any GPS receiver......was yours.

    The good setup described in my original post ISN'T mine (yet). It is merely one I'd like to do eventually. It is a progression from my last setup:

     

    I had my old Garmin 48 serial interfaced to a NEC Versa 50mhz laptop running Windoze 98 and Streetatlas 8. (Figure about 2000-2002 map data) That old laptop booted and loaded software very slowly, but once up and running -about 10 minutes later, it was a VERY responsive moving map setup. Biggest problem was that the SA rev8 map / road data was aging quickly and the wimpy NEC couldn't handle any newer versions of Delorme's PC map products (Street Atlas 2003 and newer, Topo USA 5, etc) like my desktop could.

     

    BC posted:

    All I see is someone bragging about some setup they've got and then complaining when they can't get it to work and then bossing some guy you just met online 2 seconds ago about how to get YOUR GPS to work with YOUR top end computer.

    BC, didn't read the website I attached. I don't own what he ASSUMED I own. The config information is important to the post in that it shows where my experience comes from and where it is leading me to in the future. It also helps support the validity of the recommendations that I made. So, no need for him to act all jealous, after all, he/she/it is NOT my girlfriend. *WHEW*

     

    I also haven't "met" BC, and now I'm sure that I really don't want to. It only took 2 seconds for me to know that.

     

    As I said in my original post, this type of enhanced top-end setup -receiving gps data from any handheld GPS via serial or a usb/serial converter at typical serial speeds, (much slower than a USB 2.0 data rate) should impress anyone for map display size, clarity, and performance when compared to only using any standalone handheld on the market. This is based on my experience with the fairly primitive older equipment I had been using. You can substitute lesser equipment down to the requirements of the oldest version of the software you are willing to be limited to.

     

    As far as interfacing a Delorme Earthmate GPS via usb, that doesn't interest me, any information doing so shouldn't be directed to me. I assumed in one reply that BC was trying to tell me that I was wrong (not unheard of) and the **60C** could be interfaced to Delorme Software via USB. (It can't, I've done the research. -I didn't realize he was talking about the nearly worthless Earthmate)

     

    The earthmate is not a standalone handheld gps, it has no display. You need a laptop (automotive navigation) or PDA (handheld navigation) to actually use the data it provides.

     

    http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

     

    PDA's are expensive enough without paying for one that is outdoor waterproof / durability rated, and has a large enough battery capacity for constant GPS operations.

     

    That meant for me that I would need a true outdoor handheld so I bought the latest descendant of my old GPS 48 - the GPSMAP 60C which is both serial and USB capable. BUT, 60C only comes boxed with the USB cable, which will be a problem for people that want to interface it to Delorme products without one of two things.

     

    A serial cable or

    A USB/Serial converter of some sort

     

    I already owned a serial cable from my days of using the GPS 48 so that wasn't a problem for me. I have no operational use problems with my 60C worth "whining" about, and with a proper laptop, it would blow away the performance of what was already a good former setup of mine. Used as a standalone GPS, 60C has more durability and features than what I had.

     

    Now, on to the "whining". I do have one minor convenience issue with the 60C hooked to Delorme software on my desktop PC. Since it would also apply indirectly to using it interfaced with Delorme on a laptop I need to mention it.

     

    The 60C can only speak via one data format at a time. You can hook it up via serial or you can hook it up via USB, but not both at once. I'm primarily using two software packages with the GPS interfaced to the PC.

     

    1. ExpertGPS waypoint management software (Better than EasyGPS but fundamentally the same)

    http://www.easygps.com/

    http://www.expertgps.com/

     

    2. Delorme's Topo USA 5.0 graphical map and waypoint display software.

     

    The current version of Expert / EasyGPS is written to be Garmin USB compatible so that when I transfer waypoint datasets to/from my GPS it exchanges FAST. This is nice since my pocket queries are around 450 waypoints now. It is also backwards compatible to be serial (slower) capable.

     

    Delorme is only serial compatible. So when I xfer waypoint data to plot them on the maps there, it is a slower process. It also means I have to swap cables back and forth if I want to use USB for part of the transfer. If I don't want to swap cables, I have to do everything at the slower serial rates.

     

    Hooked to a laptop, Delorme can also talk to the GPS and plot continuous location, track data, and satellite information etc. overlaid on the PC map display. Again, this has to currently be done via a serial connection -which is a cable inconvenience issue, but not really a performance problem.

     

    For the people who just bought their 60C and want to do the same but don't have a serial cable yet, they find themselves having to buy one of those or a serial-USB converter.

     

    Do I think this is worth whining about? No, because I have a serial cable.

     

    Would it be more convenient if Delorme added Garmin USB functionality? Heck yeah!

     

    Could it be important information to someone who is looking for information to pick a new GPS? Could be. It would be inconsiderate of me to omit outlining what I know.

     

    for BC:

    Go soak your head flame-boy, you have an attitude problem. I've tried to contribute more useful, helpful and complete information to these forums than you have, run a username / post search if you doubt it:

     

    http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?act=Search&f=11

     

    :ph34r:

     

    BC posted:

    I'm trying to be helpful in my own way.

    Find a new way. Your "It's possible -go find it yourself" attitude is worthless and unappreciated here. If you have something to contribute, then do it, contribute, don't hint at it. A little clarification on your part would have changed my response to this completely:

     

    BC posted:

    Mine worked after I downloaded all the updates from Delorme, including receiver and software updates. One of the downloads was a fix, if you will, for the USB connection.

    Idiot me was assuming you were trying to respond by helping with my setup since the message was adressing me. How silly of me to assume that. I didn't realize you were talking about the Earthmate GPS and not Street Atlas or Topo USA or a 60C.

     

    BC posted:

    I hope all this is sinking in

    ditto

     

    If you want to flame me, take it offline. MY contact information is READILY available. If you can't do it with at least a little style and contribute something in the process, then it doesn't belong here.

     

    flame-off

     

    :smile:

     

    http://members.cox.net/dmbleess/geocache/benchmarks.htm

    Garmin Gpsmap 60cs

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I see some of you are using EasyGPS with your 60cs.  I got the latest version off of this site and it doesn't seem to list the 60cs or USB support???? Am I stupid?

    Careless maybe.

     

    Go to the main site and make CERTAIN you are downloading the latest version.

    v 1.3.7 is current as of August 6

     

    http://www.easygps.com/download.asp

     

    Then when you search for the GPS in the preferences list, remember it is called the GPSMAP 60C (or 60CS) for the sensor crowd.

     

    The word MAP sorts it into a different place on the list than, say, the GPS 48.

     

    :smile:

     

    http://members.cox.net/dmbleess/geocache/benchmarks.htm

    Travel Bug Search Update?

    in Website

    Posted

    I asked for a site improvement as part of a larger thread on Dec. 21, 2003:

     

    DBLEESS

     

    Is there a way to add an "and" search to the keyword search?

     

    As it stands now, every keyword you add doesn't narrow your results.

    It EXPANDS them as an OR search.

     

    Before it was an AND search and the results were always few if you knew what you were looking for.

     

    If I know the exact name of a bug, I can no longer get just the few listings for all the bugs that have only the exact same words contained in their name.

     

    I'll use mine for an example.

     

    Rescue

    208 hits

     

    Ranger

    86 hits

     

    Chip

    110 hits

     

    Rescue Ranger Chip

    Used to only bring up one hit

     

    Now it brings up 398

     

    In any of those four searches above, I have to search and then navigate the page listing at the bottom of the results to find what only normally took one page load before.

     

    Thanks.

     

    (now it brings up 624 hits)

     

    JEREMY

     

    Thanks for continuing the bugs and suggestions for changes. I'll continue working on this over the next few days, and intermittently over the holidays.

     

    The search related question is more related to my ignorance of freetext queries than anything. I'll try and get a good book on that feature so the searches work as advertised.

     

    Did you ever get this in work?

     

    Also, any chance you can raise the max benchmark search radius back up to 30 miles? (If there's a system or bandwidth concern, how about if it is just for premium members only? -Or even if you have to do a new special BM subscription -for like $30 more) Six miles doesn't cut it.

     

    http://members.cox.net/dmbleess/geocache/benchmarks.htm

×
×
  • Create New...