+GeoFamof4 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I was just curious what others were getting for their EPE readings. I am using a Magellan Meridian Platinum. I've searched the topics and have found what the "bests" were, but what do you normally average? The best I've recieved has been 10'. Normally I range from 26'-53'. Usually in the car while driving I'll get between 30' and 46'. Under heavy tree cover I get between 42' -76'. What do you get best case? While driving? Under heavy trees? I just want to compare and see if I'm in the "acceptable" range of accuracy. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
Bikezilla Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I've got a 60CSx My EPE gets 10-15' out in the open 15-20' on the open road 20-25' on local streets under heavy tree coverage 25-30' spikes in the deep woods but usually less. I can hold a 25' lock in an interior 1st floor room (no external walls) closed door with double sheetrock on all sides, external double walls around that and a 2nd floor above. I also get decent reception in the basement. The recent firmware upgrade made WAAS more effective and overall reception improved even when WAAS was not being received. Cheers! Quote Link to comment
8mmag Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 (edited) I've got a 60CSx My EPE gets 10-15' out in the open 15-20' on the open road 20-25' on local streets under heavy tree coverage 25-30' spikes in the deep woods but usually less. I can hold a 25' lock in an interior 1st floor room (no external walls) closed door with double sheetrock on all sides, external double walls around that and a 2nd floor above. I also get decent reception in the basement. The recent firmware upgrade made WAAS more effective and overall reception improved even when WAAS was not being received. Cheers! That duplicates my experience exactly... EDIT: I have a 60CSx too. Edited July 9, 2006 by 8mmag Quote Link to comment
+Xangxa Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Magellan Meridian Gold (I have two, and this is my best behaved unit): Best Case: 7ft. (sometimes even under tree cover) Driving: 7ft to 13ft. (I guess because the roads are mostly open) Heavy Tree Cover: 10ft to 30ft. My average is probably 16ft to 30ft. I've found that tree cover is only half the problem: satellite positions play a major role. Also, it seems that about sunset things get worse. Perhaps it's the satellite constellation, sunflares, or some other atmospheric phenonemon. As far as obstacles go, being in hollows, canyons, up against a cliff or bluff is more troublesome than any tree cover. I've hunted in conditions as bad as 184ft. Triangulation in such conditions has saved the day many a time and I highly recommend a good compass. Getting to a location with good EPE to shoot a bearing can really improve your chances. Also, having topo maps or a satellite image can help since it will show where the cache is in relation to streams, roads, etc. even when the GPS can't tell you exactly where YOU are on the topo. The absolute worst scenario was 2010 MILES away! I made the find using "the force" and cache descriptions. Normally I go home or move on when EPE gets above 50 unless I've travelled a long distance, or it's worth a lot of points, or it has a good description/hint, etc. When the game stops being fun it's still hard to tell my OC side to "let it go." Quote Link to comment
planewood Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 60cx using Gillson antenna with latest WAAS satellites showing. EPE is 7' to 11" when out in the open under clear blue skys and DOPh is most favorable. Actual accuracy is 2' to 5' under same conditions. 11' to 15' EPE under worse conditions. If you don't know what DOP is then go to http://www.trimble.com/planningsoftware_ts.asp and get their Planning software (free). Quote Link to comment
+geognerd Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Just so you know, you can't compare these EPE readings across brands. Garmin, Magellan, and Lowrance all use different calculations for this. Garmin's the most optimistic, Lowrance is the most conservative. Quote Link to comment
+GeoFamof4 Posted July 9, 2006 Author Share Posted July 9, 2006 I have a Meridian Platinum. I brought the topic up because I changed the firmware to 5.40 and noticed far more fluctuation in the EPE readings. I re-installed and tried a controlled test using different situations such as standing still in the open, driving, walking near buildings and walking under tree cover. I then switched back to version 5.35 and tried the same thing. My EPE was more stable and lower with the older firmware version. I was just looking to see if both my readings with the old and new firmware were "normal". THanks. Quote Link to comment
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