GPSMap 60csx

[derfw5jazz]

I'm on my second unit. I expected it to work right out of the box. The first unit's compass seem to go crazy when you get within 50 feet. Did the calibration, worked better, until you go to the next waypoint, calibrate again. This was too much. Took it back to store, was offered money back or exchanged. Exchanged (reluctantly), to give it another shot. Compass works better on this unit, but cashes seem to be off 17-51 feet, ugh! I also marked a waypoint and averaged it, go away and come back to waypoint, it's never the same. It's off antwhere from 17-51 feet. Any ideas?

[+fratermus]

I suspect it is one's expectation that needs to be recalibrated.

 

IMO when you get within 50' of the cache if you're still looking at the GPS you're probably doing it wrong.

 

The question I have is this: how would you know it's off by 17-51 feet unless you are comparing to some kind of adjusted benchmark?

[+webscouter.]

I'm on my second unit. I expected it to work right out of the box. The first unit's compass seem to go crazy when you get within 50 feet. Did the calibration, worked better, until you go to the next waypoint, calibrate again. This was too much. Took it back to store, was offered money back or exchanged. Exchanged (reluctantly), to give it another shot. Compass works better on this unit, but cashes seem to be off 17-51 feet, ugh! I also marked a waypoint and averaged it, go away and come back to waypoint, it's never the same. It's off antwhere from 17-51 feet. Any ideas?

 

At its very best a GPS is good to 3 meters. Lots of things can cause errors. Reflections off of buildings, canyon walls, your body. Heavy leaf cover, poor satellite alignment, sun spots and your body can reduce the signal your GPS gets. Also sometimes if the almanac for the GPS hasn't been fully downloaded the GPS can think it is in the correct location while actually being way off. This will cause lots of fluctuation in the position. The other error is looking at the wrong screen while trying to find a cache. The "map" screen is doesn't have the resolution to see your relative position (20 feet/unit) while the compass screen can cause issues if the unit isn't held level, the compass is out of calibration or you are not holding it level can all cause the needle to bounce back and forth.

 

Although 51 feet seems high it is not unheard of. This is why most cachers will put away the GPS when they are within 40 feet or so.

[derfw5jazz]

Thanks for all the feed back. I guess I was expecting too much from this unit. Looks like I'll go back to my Venture hx.

[+hogrod]

Thanks for all the feed back. I guess I was expecting too much from this unit. Looks like I'll go back to my Venture hx.

 

Just wondering, did you make sure you had the most current unit software and chipset software installed on the unit? This would explain why two units would behave differently.

[derfw5jazz]

Thanks for all the feed back. I guess I was expecting too much from this unit. Looks like I'll go back to my Venture hx.

 

Just wondering, did you make sure you had the most current unit software and chipset software installed on the unit? This would explain why two units would behave differently.

 

Yes, went online with both units. No updates available, assume they were up to date.

[+TexasGringo]

Every time I replace batteries, I have to recalibrate it.

 

2 Full circles....

[+Prime Suspect]

I'm on my second unit. I expected it to work right out of the box. The first unit's compass seem to go crazy when you get within 50 feet. Did the calibration, worked better, until you go to the next waypoint, calibrate again. This was too much. Took it back to store, was offered money back or exchanged. Exchanged (reluctantly), to give it another shot. Compass works better on this unit, but cashes seem to be off 17-51 feet, ugh! I also marked a waypoint and averaged it, go away and come back to waypoint, it's never the same. It's off antwhere from 17-51 feet. Any ideas?

There was nothing wrong with your original unit. Once you're close to the error zone around the cache, the behavior you noted will happen. It will happen, even if you're using a non-electronic, magnetic compass. But no one would bother to resight a magnetic compass once a second (like your GPS will do), so you don't notice that it would be pointing you all over the place. Instead, you'd have put the magnetic compass in your pocket, and started searching for the cache. Just do the same with your electronic compass.