Using GPSr overseas

[canyonlander]

I live in the US and own a Etrex Vista C. I'm travelling to Spain and want to use my unit over there. I do not have any international maps and I realize that the unit itself only has the US basemaps. However, can I use my GPSr by at least inputting waypoints and use the ability to drive to them? I'm assuming that no basemap will displayed but that all of the other functions will still work, correct? thanks!

[+Triskelle]

I live in the US and own a Etrex Vista C. I'm travelling to Spain and want to use my unit over there. I do not have any international maps and I realize that the unit itself only has the US basemaps. However, can I use my GPSr by at least inputting waypoints and use the ability to drive to them? I'm assuming that no basemap will displayed but that all of the other functions will still work, correct? thanks!

 

Correct!

[AlunS]

The clue is in the name ... GLOBAL Position System

[canyonlander]

Thanks!

[+BruceS]

The first time you turn it on once going overseas it will probably take longer to acquire satellites than normal. Once the almanac is updated it will acquire satellites like normal.

[+Walts Hunting]

Don't forget you lose WAAS (may as well turn it off to save battery) when you leave North America so your accuracy will be 3-5 meters. Should make it a little more interesting.

[+TrailGators]

The first time you turn it on once going overseas it will probably take longer to acquire satellites than normal. Once the almanac is updated it will acquire satellites like normal.

You can speed this process up by selecting the option to change locations on your GPS. Most GPSs allow you to do this.

[reef mapper]

This "overseas" issue looks really amusing to"the rest of the world" - 95% of which is overseas.

WAAS is a very localised service covering a very small area; in Europe use EGNOS.

 

BTW you don't take more time to get the ephemeris data because you are "overseas" - it is because you have moved far enough from your last download to require an update. It could even be within the same continent

Edited August 18, 2008 by reef mapper

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

I live in the US and own a Etrex Vista C. I'm travelling to Spain and want to use my unit over there. I do not have any international maps and I realize that the unit itself only has the US basemaps. However, can I use my GPSr by at least inputting waypoints and use the ability to drive to them? I'm assuming that no basemap will displayed but that all of the other functions will still work, correct? thanks!

 

Free maps of Spain.

[+macnetz]

Hi,

 

this map originally from Garmin may help overseas

http://www.geodude.nl/community/content/view/28/47/

 

Regards - Anton

[+Gushoneybun]

This "overseas" issue looks really amusing to"the rest of the world" - 95% of which is overseas.

WAAS is a very localised service covering a very small area; in Europe use EGNOS.

 

BTW you don't take more time to get the ephemeris data because you are "overseas" - it is because you have moved far enough from your last download to require an update. It could even be within the same continent

 

 

I am overseas and it works just fine here, or are you the one who is overseas?

[reef mapper]

I was overseas a few weeks ago, in Florida, and it worked great there too.