eTrex Vista and kyak/canoe

[Strogenburgher]

This is my first GPSr and although it is advertized as "waterproof" I still have my doubts.

We do a lot of kyak/canoe trips on rivers and large creeks in upstate NY. Even though it is mostly flatwater there are frequent riffs and rapid water. Capsizing is always a risk and as a matter of fact happens often..

On these trips the tracks feature will be of most use to me so I would like to keep it on all the time if possible.

Am I right in assuming that I can't really keep it in my pocket? Does it have to see the sky?

How about wrapped in a couple of ziplocks and fastened somehow to the boat. Or. maybe a clear sealed plastic tupper ware thingy? If so des the container have to be "clear" like glass or can it be opaque?

Any ideas and help are welcome.

Thanks

[+Miragee]

The Vista should be face-up to get the best reception. When I took my GPSr out on my kayak, I had it in a waterproof deckbag. The GPSr was able to see the satellites through that opaque plastic. I attached a small hook to the lanyard to make sure the GPSr was secured to the kayak.

[Strogenburgher]

The Vista should be face-up to get the best reception. When I took my GPSr out on my kayak, I had it in a waterproof deckbag. The GPSr was able to see the satellites through that opaque plastic. I attached a small hook to the lanyard to make sure the GPSr was secured to the kayak.

Thanks, The opaqueness was what I was wondering about. I think I'll experiment with some type of watertight container affixed to the boat. I learned long ago that when the boat goes over in fast water you wind up buying again all the crap that you were to lazy to tie down. (except for the wife maybe, she always comes back)

[dogwalkers2]

This is what I use: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....D=1211162368013

 

Works great. It comes with a lanyard and carribeaner so you can clip it to the deck ties and tuck it under or leave on your spray skirt. You can also use it in the case, so no worries about dropping it while using your GPS. I'm sure it's available at other outdoor stores.

 

The medium has the best fit for a Vista HCx - not too tight; the mini was OK for my old Legend, but it was a pretty tight fit and too small for the Vista HCx.

Edited May 19, 2008 by dogwalkers2

[Strogenburgher]

This is what I use: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....D=1211162368013

 

Works great. It comes with a lanyard and carribeaner so you can clip it to the deck ties and tuck it under or leave on your spray skirt. You can also use it in the case, so no worries about dropping it while using your GPS. I'm sure it's available at other outdoor stores.

 

The medium has the best fit for a Vista HCx - not too tight; the mini was OK for my old Legend, but it was a pretty tight fit and too small for the Vista HCx.

Excellent! Found the same thing on ebay for $14.00 including shipping. Thanks

[+SimbaJamey]

ok...so yins are saying it's not waterproof enough to be mounted on one of these holder dillies?

 

Boat Mount

[+Idahogreggory]

Don't worry about your pocket, kayak or canoe blocking the signal; I have my Vista HCx mounted under the dash down by the boot of the stick shift of my hardtop Wrangler and it never looses signal. I know the Vista HCx is water poof but I don't know to what depth so I would recommend a dry bag lanyard to something inside the boat.