Electric Compass

[djstretch]

how helpful is an electronic compass

 

is it worth the extra money

[+Thrak]

how helpful is an electronic compass

 

is it worth the extra money

 

You'll get varied answers to this question. Some will say it's a total waste of money. Some will say they love it and use it all the time. Some will say they have it but never use it.

 

Personally, I use it all the time. With the electronic compass my arrow still points at the cache location even when I'm standing still. Without it the arrow points in a random direction when you stop moving.

 

Whether or not it's worth the extra money depends on what you want and what you can afford.

Edited August 8, 2006 by Thrak

[+Derb522002]

I have a built in Electric Compass in my GPS. It has help more times then I can say. At times it has pointed right at the cache I could not find. I have also used the Electric compass to get me to the area. That is just my .02

 

[+briansnat]

I find it helpful and probably wouldn't buy a GPS without it. I know others who don't think its worth the money and trouble (it has to be calibrated every time you change the batteries).

[+team5150]

After having a GPSr both with and without an electronic compass, I can say that I would not want to do without again. Its nice to know which direction you are heading without having to be moving all of the time. But thats just my opinion.....

[+hitman757]

After having a GPSr both with and without an electronic compass, I can say that I would not want to do without again. Its nice to know which direction you are heading without having to be moving all of the time. But thats just my opinion.....

 

I've had a gps without and a gps with... my garmin 60csx has an electronic compass, and I find it useful and helpful...if I stand still for a minute or two it will point to the cache...very helpful if you dont wanna walk in circles when your in the woods...hope that helps

[djstretch]

what units are you guys using with that feature

I was looking at maybe getting the explorist 300

[+team5150]

I have a Garmin 60 CSx and I love it!!!

[+Team FUBAR]

I likewise have a 60csx. I looked long and hard before I bought it if I wanted the electronic compass. I decided to go with it.

ice then I haven't used it very often. The 6ocsx is so sensative with the satelites all you have to do is take a step (or two on a bad day) and it will re-align and show your direction.

 

I currently have my compass so only come on when I tell it too. I havfe used it a few times, while out hiking in the woods, but I always carry a backup compass as well. I only trust electronics so far.

 

One thing i'll pass on to people with a electronic compass. On models like the 60csx you can set the compass to turn on after being below a certain speed for a certain amount of time. I originally had mine set to turn on when under 1mph for 5 seconds or something like that. What I found is the compass would turn on and I would rotate my body to point the compass and it would lock up. What was actually happening was when I would rotate my body I was actually changin the position of the gps, and it was sensing that as movement over 1mph and it was switching the compass off. So I had to change it to automatically turn on when under 10mph for 5 seconds. I also overide the compass most of the time(page button)

 

I hope that makes sense.

 

Bill

Edited August 9, 2006 by Team FUBAR

[+FamilyDNA]

what units are you guys using with that feature

I was looking at maybe getting the explorist 300

If you want an eXplorist, the 600 has the electronic compass.