How Bad Is This?

[+Gryffindor1]

I have just recently learned about this wonderful sport (game?)

and I have been using a borrowed GPS, which I must soon return.

I have the opportunity to purchase a used GPS, but I was

warned by someone else who saw the unit, that it only picks up

(receives?) two satellite signals.

 

I really can't afford a new unit, so it would be really great if

this isn't a big deal.

 

I will get the chance to actually see and play around a bit with

the unit next week, but I'd like to know ahead of time if I should

even consider buying this at all. How bad of a thing is this? Is

this something that can be fixed? This is all new to me, so I am

completely dumb when it comes to this stuff.

 

Thanks for any advice anyone can give me!

[+IVxIV]

If you could find out the Brand & model of this unit that would be helpful.

 

It only aquires 2 satellites?? That's not possible.. 2 satellites aren't enough information to determine a location fix,, you need at least 3 but better to have 4 (or more of course)

[+BlueDeuce]

What brand/model is it? and how much were you planning to spend?

[peter]

It only aquires 2 satellites?? That's not possible.. 2 satellites aren't enough information to determine a location fix,, you need at least 3 but better to have 4 (or more of course)

Yes, as you say it's necessary that the unit receive signals from more than two satellites. But many older unts only had one or two radio channels and they used them to sequentially listen to the signals from up to 8 satellites. It's my guess that the model Gryffindor is looking at is one of those, but he'd need to specify a make/model to verify that.

 

I'd recommend staying away from those older models that need to switch their radio channels between satellites sequentially. They work ok under ideal conditions, but if there's any tree or building cover that blocks many of the satellites then it becomes much more difficult for those units to reacquire a lock. Given the number of inexpensive new and used models on the market now that have at least 12 parallel channels it shouldn't be hard to find one that's affordable.

[tossedsalad]

Sounds pretty weird. If this unit is not good under tree cover, I say avoid it. The Garmin yellow eTrex that my friend has is not good under tree cover and it is a PITA. My merigold is much better and I seldom have trouble finding the caches because of it. I have trouble for other reasons, but not the GPS...

 

The Lowrance iFinder GO can be bought on eBay for some $60 or $70. How much cheaper can a used unit be??? I paid $150 for my merigold used.

[+BlueDeuce]

I friend of mine 'lent' me a Trooper. After weighing the instruction book, counting the number of required AA batteries and holding up the hardwire cord, I said forget it.

 

For beginners I recommend the Legend. If you want to go cheaper try the Yellow Etrex or the Geko.

[+Airmapper]

Better buy new, it's hard to tell what kind of abuse a unit has been through, might be just a time bomb waiting to be bought to quit. Also if you buy new you get a warranty of some sort, that is a very valeuable thing to have.

[lost02]

The first GPSr that I bought new many years ago was a Magellan 4000. It only has two receivers, but does eventually get a 3D lock (it switches between satellites to get a fix). I tried geocaching with it, but with a number of caches it was no help (I think Google Maps helps more). Anyway, I got an iFinder Go to replace my 4000. It cost a lot less than the 4000 cost me many years ago, and the Go works great for my level of caching. It's really easy on batteries, has great accuracy, and it really light. It doesn't have a computer interface, so you can't download cache locations from your computer - you have to use the keys on the GPSr. I don’t hit more then 7 caches in a day, so I don't miss the computer interface, though I know others say it’s a must.

 

Anyway, I'm sure your geocaching experience will be a lot more fun with a newer unit that has at least 12 receivers.

[+Renegade Knight]

Pass on the GPS. There are too many newer ones that work much better even if used to deal with one that is as ungainly as the one you are looking at. Even if they gave it to you it's worth the upgrade to the newer GPS.

[+megamapper]

Well, how much are you able to come up with (if you don't mind me asking). Don't forget to tell us what currency.

 

Usually decent starter GPS's go for a little < $100.00 CDN.

 

Also, it never hurts to power up and test this 'new unit' youself, and ignore what your friend has to say about it. Look at it yourself, and make up your own mind.

 

Do this, perhaps with your borrowed unit alonside. You can then compare how each unit works.

 

Keep the borrowed unit powered off, until you actually do your test!

 

If there is alot of trees or tall buildings this can limit the GPS's performance. But if you had been using your borrowed unit just prior, it would already know what birds to look at (they remember this stuff) and hence this could make your borrowed unit look better. If you power both GPS's up cold, then you should get a more accurate performance test.

 

Also, be advised that we have just come through some solar flare activity, which is known to make even the 'best' gps fail to lock. Sunset and Sunrise can also be difficult times. At night, you can expect a little less accuracy.

 

Also, if your friend was standing indoors while testing, it is ENTIRLY POSSIBLE and PROBABLY that the GPS would only see maybe two birds. Walk outside if possible, or hold it near a window, and check them out for yourself.

 

I would also check on the net, see what this unit you are looking at sells new for.

 

Regards,

---- MegaMapper ----

Edited September 23, 2005 by megamapper

[+Gryffindor1]

Wow! Thank you everyone for the advice

I am very grateful for everything you all had to

offer - it is all going to help me make a wise

decision for my first GPS!

 

The unit in question is a Garmin eTrex Vista, and the

guy is asking $75 US for it. He says that he used it for

boating and has given it up. I know that it sells for a

lot more than that brand new (more than I can afford!).

 

I only see the seller once a week (through work), so

when I see him next week, I'll see if he'll let me

borrow it to play around with... I like the advice of

comparing its readings with GPS I'm currently borrowing.

 

If I see anything wonky, I'll know to pass on it right

away and start saving Although I do like the

idea of having a warranty on a new unit, too...

 

Thanks again for all the help and for the list of units to

check out if this falls through...

[peter]

The unit in question is a Garmin eTrex Vista, and the

guy is asking $75 US for it.

$75 for a Vista is certainly a good price. It's a good 12-channel model so I don't understand the previous comment about only receiving two satellites. You should be able to see in a few minutes that it locks on and works ok. If you can try it out on a more extended basis I'd also use it in an area with dense overhead foliage since some Vista samples do have reception problems in those conditions (but others that I've seen work very well). It should come with a PC cable to connect to an RS-232 port on your PC (or through an adapter if you only have USB). If the seller has lost the cable you can buy a replacement at the GPSGeek eBay store for under $10 plus shipping. It's worth having the cable to be able to download waypoints, update the firmware (sounds like it may have an older version at the moment), and use with a host of available software to record/display your tracklogs, load maps, plot elevation profiles of hikes, etc.

[vr12]

The unit in question is a Garmin eTrex Vista, and the

guy is asking $75 US for it. He says that he used it for

boating and has given it up. I know that it sells for a

lot more than that brand new (more than I can afford!).

Vista is 12 channel reciever, don't think, take it for $75.

[+megamapper]

The unit in question is a Garmin eTrex Vista, and the

guy is asking $75 US for it.  He says that he used it for

boating and has given it up.

 

Thank you for telling us a little more detail like the GPS model and price. It kinda makes the whole thing much easier to understand.

 

$75.00USD isn't a bad deal for a GPS that sells on the net for $230 - $250USD.

 

I wouldn't be sitting there pondering it, I'd be running/clawing over bears / cougars and over hill and underbrush to check that GPS out PRONTO PRONTO PRONTO and give it a quick check out.

 

Sometimes it's better not to blindly believe what others tell you unless you see it for yourself. Especially when there's a $240.00 USD GPS up for grabbs for $75.00!

 

I hope it works out for you.

 

Regards,

---- Robb ----

[+briansnat]

The Vista is an excellent unit and ever better for $75.

[+Team Chevelle]

I put a good condition Vista up here a few weeks ago for $125 and it sold almost immediately -- with several people emailing after the fact saying they would easily take it at $125. So, as people are saying, if it is really a Vista and is really $75, it is a very good deal.

 

- John...

[+tands]

Had to speak up for the Yellow Etrex, at least the new one. I am so enamored of mine that I brought it to our geoholics meeting wednesday to show everyone. I turned it on inside the Shoneys, a couple of Sats showed up, and then... it got a fix! So we turned a couple other GPS units on and none of them could. I thought about marking the coords of the food bar but everyone could find it easily already. The yellows of my friends consistently hold a fix when all others fail. That's why this is my second (first for now) GPS for finding while the 60CS is the hiding GPS because it averages and gets such good hide numbers.

 

- T of TandS