How do you hold your III+ (or other simular models)

[Guest k2dave]

Do you hold it in vertical or horizontal mode? I know horiz. mode is more suited for driving and vert. is more suited for hiking but I tend to use horz. mode for both. I will sometimes switch to vert mode if I need to see more of the map in that direction.

[Guest Sluggo]

K2dave,

 

I hold my GPS III Pilot in the horizonal mode. No particular reason, I just got used to that orientation using it while flying and driving.

[Guest ALacy]

I use it in horizonal when driving which is the only choice. I tend to use it in vertical mode when cache hunting. The main reason is that the fields on the map page can be different on the different modes. So I have the fields I want for driving on horizonal, and the ones I want for cache hunting on vertical. That way I just change mode, and have such things as arrow and bearing showing for cache hunting without having to change the fields.

[Guest db8tr]

I hold my Garmin III+ vertically. For me, it just fits in the hand more naturally and thus more securely. When I am on the trail (or off as is so often the case ) I always have the wrist strap connected to my hand. I am very happy that this model is supposed to be shock resistant, but I don't really want to test it. In the car it is mounted on the dash horizontally with an external antenna.

[Guest db8tr]

I hold my Garmin III+ vertically. For me, it just fits in the hand more naturally and thus more securely. When I am on the trail (or off as is so often the case ) I always have the wrist strap connected to my hand. I am very happy that this model is supposed to be shock resistant, but I don't really want to test it. In the car it is mounted on the dash horizontally with an external antenna.

[Guest Mike_Teague]

I'm with ALacy..

 

Have been using a GPS III for a few years now, I use it in horizontal (landscape?) map mode velcro'ed to the dash, with non-geocaching type fields (speed, track, altitude, distance to next wpt) while driving, flying, boating, etc.

 

But while geocaching or hiking, I hold it in my hand using the vertical (portrait?) map mode and have the fields set up as speed, bearing, altitude, and distance to next wpt.. (yeah, not much different -- I have good reasons though -- just ask me

 

vertically oriented does fit in the hand better if yer carrying it..

[Guest Mike_Teague]

I'm with ALacy..

 

Have been using a GPS III for a few years now, I use it in horizontal (landscape?) map mode velcro'ed to the dash, with non-geocaching type fields (speed, track, altitude, distance to next wpt) while driving, flying, boating, etc.

 

But while geocaching or hiking, I hold it in my hand using the vertical (portrait?) map mode and have the fields set up as speed, bearing, altitude, and distance to next wpt.. (yeah, not much different -- I have good reasons though -- just ask me

 

vertically oriented does fit in the hand better if yer carrying it..

[Guest gstrong1]

Ditto- Horizontal on the garmin beanbag mount in whatever vehicle I happen to be driving & vertical while geocaching and/or hiking.Have 3 great Garmin units, the III Plus being the one I depend on the most while caching. No matter what the conditions,(tree cover etc.),this unit does the job again & again. A fantastic GPS. . --Gimpy--

 

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Gary "Gimpy" Strong

Rochester,NY

[Guest gstrong1]

Ditto- Horizontal on the garmin beanbag mount in whatever vehicle I happen to be driving & vertical while geocaching and/or hiking.Have 3 great Garmin units, the III Plus being the one I depend on the most while caching. No matter what the conditions,(tree cover etc.),this unit does the job again & again. A fantastic GPS. . --Gimpy--

 

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Gary "Gimpy" Strong

Rochester,NY

[Guest bridaw]

I also agree with ALacy. I have been using my III+ for over a year and I find that I want to see different data fields when I am driving vs. walking -because I can! It really is a powerful feature if you take the time to customize your III+ data fields.

 

It is almost like having two units -all screens switch their data fields simply by holding down the "page" button. It fits in my hand better (or pocket) while in "portrait" mode vs "landscape".

 

I purchased an eTrex Legend as a 2nd unit and it really bugs me sometimes that I cannot switch the screen orientation or switch data fields by choosing between preset configurations. That is what the III+ provides when you think about it -two configuration sets that can be switched on the fly vs. a field by field switchover. The III+ as my first unit must have spoiled me.

 

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Brian & Terry

San Diego, CA

[Guest bridaw]

I also agree with ALacy. I have been using my III+ for over a year and I find that I want to see different data fields when I am driving vs. walking -because I can! It really is a powerful feature if you take the time to customize your III+ data fields.

 

It is almost like having two units -all screens switch their data fields simply by holding down the "page" button. It fits in my hand better (or pocket) while in "portrait" mode vs "landscape".

 

I purchased an eTrex Legend as a 2nd unit and it really bugs me sometimes that I cannot switch the screen orientation or switch data fields by choosing between preset configurations. That is what the III+ provides when you think about it -two configuration sets that can be switched on the fly vs. a field by field switchover. The III+ as my first unit must have spoiled me.

 

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Brian & Terry

San Diego, CA

[Guest k2dave]

Yes I feel that I really lucked out getting the 3+ model - It seems like it's one of the best made in terms of features, customization, and ability to hold a lock.