E -trex (basic) Accuracy

[Guest dhm.munro]

Have just read the article in Computer Active and have dusted down my e-trex basic which I bought in Alaska last year. Compared with O.S.maps(1:25000)I have found the GPS unit consistently gives a significant error in the latitude usually more than 100m. I do get good averages with the unit but I am concerned that I have some in-built error.I am setup forWGS84 and 007 variance.Anyone any suggestions before I place a cache in the Glasgow area ? I have version 2.05 is it worth downloading upgrade?

[Guest Moss Trooper]

I'm using a Vista, I havent had any trouble and my accuracy is usually about 10-15 meters (with a good sky view) wich is about average. If you want to tie your cache up with OS maps, convert your lat/long to OSGB using your etrex, set British grid and OSGB Datum. should then be nigh on spot on.

 

I check my cache co-ords using www.streetmap.co.uk

 

Think you will find your etrex is OK..

 

Moss

[Guest JasonW]

Just another thing that may have caught you out.....

 

Geocaching.com uses the format HDDD°MM.mmm' rather than HDDD°MM'SS.s" (which I'd guess is the opposite of what most people would choose), but the difference between 50" and 0.50' is 20" (which ISTR is around 100ft on the ground - someone else can do the maths)

[Guest Street Pilot]

I go along with Moss. I found with my Garmin III that unless it was set to OSGB datum when using OS maps the error between the GPS and the map was abut 100m. It pay to check which datum the map is set too.

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 04 September 2001).]

[Guest dhm.munro]

Folks,

 

Thanks for your help on this subject.....can now get E-trex, OS map and Streetmap all singing the same song in unison..... great won't get lost on the hills any more!

 

Anybody fancy a cache on the Cuillin Hills, Isle of Skye (don't bring a compass )

 

[This message has been edited by dhm.munro (edited 06 September 2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by dhm.munro (edited 06 September 2001).]

[Guest Moss Trooper]

Glad to be of service

 

Love one.. give me a reason to get to Loch Duich Hotel fer Celtic Mayhem on a Sunday night.. Hic! Hic!.. )

 

[This message has been edited by Moss Trooper (edited 05 September 2001).]

[Guest Street Pilot]

Typical Moss, any excuse to to get out to the pub, no matter where it is.

Went to the Cullins once, stunning mountains, scared the livin daylights outa me. Too much of a coward to run down the Stone Chute!!!! Might get back one day maybe

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

[Guest Street Pilot]

Typical Moss, any excuse to to get out to the pub, no matter where it is.

Went to the Cullins once, stunning mountains, scared the livin daylights outa me. Too much of a coward to run down the Stone Chute!!!! Might get back one day maybe

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

 

[This message has been edited by Street Pilot (edited 05 September 2001).]

[Guest JasonW]

Good to hear it dhm - in reply to your question about upgrading your unit's firmware - it might well be worth it - a search through the "GPS Units and Software" forum will yield the perceived benefits and pitfalls of doing so.

[Guest dhm.munro]

nd worked first time from the Garmin site.

 

Does no one give full route of waypoints to the cache in UK?

[Guest JasonW]

You mean like "park at point A, now walk to point B, turn left, and walk to point C" ?

 

Sounds a wee bit like hand-holding to me - part of the excitement is working out where to park/walk to get to the cache - too much info could make it a bit like a guided walk(IMHO of course)

[Guest dhm.munro]

Ok I'll keep it tough!