Stormchild Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 (edited) If you have a Geko 201 i am interested in learning more about its functions. i just got mine and although a lot of it is straight forward i would like to communicate with other users about some specifics. thank you for your time, SC Edited December 28, 2003 by Stormchild Quote Link to comment
+pqcachers Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 We have a 201. What is it you'd like to know? Quote Link to comment
AC Student Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I use a Geko 201 too. I'd be happy to help, feel free to email me via my profile. I can't claim to be an expert at using all the features, though I've at least played with most of them. The best way to learn the features is to get out there and use it! One thing to rememeber about the Geko is to carry extra AAAs - it goes through batteries pretty quickly. Quote Link to comment
TimSkells Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 i dont use one but they look like pretty nice GPS's Quote Link to comment
+Perrin Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I got one too. Been using it since the summer when I got started. Feel free to send an e-mail. I'll give you as much info as I can. No guarantees that I'll be right 100% of the time though Quote Link to comment
+Insp Gadget Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I bought one recently as a back up to my Garmin V, but finding myself using it more and more. Feel free to drop me a line..... Quote Link to comment
+Mr. Black Cat Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I've had one of these puppies since August. The top two tips I have are... 1. Put a guard around the power button. Believe everything you may have heard about these things turning on easily. If you have one of the earlier versions that doesn't have a raised ridge around the power button, it's not so hard to fix. I just found a small rubber o-ring that fits around the button. I cut out about a portion of the ring (so it looked like a "C"); then I super-glued it on around the power button. 2. Learn how to use tracks and how to track-back. Start logging your track when you leave your car on the way to a cache. Save the track once you find the cache. Then you'll have the option of navigating back to the car from your current location (useful for finding the right trail turnoffs in case you don't quite remember). You'll need a cable, which wasn't included in the kit. Don't buy one from Garmin for $30; go to pfranc.com and get a cheaper one. Better yet, just order the connecters and cannibalize an old serial mouse. With basic soldering skills (and a wiring diagram from the internet), you can make your own cable. HTH, Le Chat Noir Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 You'll need a cable, which wasn't included in the kit. Don't buy one from Garmin for $30; go to pfranc.com and get a cheaper one. Better yet, just order the connecters and cannibalize an old serial mouse. Nah, go to GPSGEEK. I think total cost including S/H is less then $15. I have one and it's fine. Otherwise I fully agree with LeChatNoir's advice. One last thing. Go to Garmin's website and download the latest firmware. The latest is version 2.40 issued Nov 7. That's recent enough that even a just perched unit may not have that loaded. Quote Link to comment
Stormchild Posted January 1, 2004 Author Share Posted January 1, 2004 just wanted to say thank you for all of your input. i will put a guard on my power button, buy a cable, and try to get my hands on the new software as well. when i do i will probably have to ask for some more help but until then, happy gpsing and may the phorce be with you Quote Link to comment
+SandRaven Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 To fix the power switch problem I just used a glue gun, and placed a bit over the switch. When it dries, it gives you a re-enforced button. You actually want a fairly thin layer, or it will be very hard to press. If it dosen't turn out the way you want it, let it dry, and then just pop it off and try again. Here's what mine looks like. Quote Link to comment
+Melrose Plant Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Thanks, that's a very neat tip. I have the lowest of the low, a Geko 101, but I just don't feel the need to upgrade anytime soon. It hasn't led me astray yet. You just have to punch in everything manually. The power button thing is exactly the same, though. You have to be really careful with it. James Quote Link to comment
+WalruZ Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I'm with you' Balboa girl. Small and discreet, eats AAAs like popcorn. The guts that listen to the birds are the same in the 101 as in any other garmin. A powercacher I know (of) who is approaching 3000 finds uses the same unit. Stand tall! Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 eats AAAs like popcorn My second advice is to get some rechargeable batteries. At least two sets. The unit works better when it has lots of "on" time to gather information. With rechargeable batteries, you don't worry about running them down. It also minimized the agony of fining that you'd drained a set because of an accidental power-on. Quote Link to comment
geko 201 Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 (edited) I use a Garmin geko 201 if you need any help/advice just email though my profile Edited January 5, 2004 by geko 201 Quote Link to comment
geko 201 Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 (edited) To fix the power switch problem I just used a glue gun, and placed a bit over the switch. When it dries, it gives you a re-enforced button. You actually want a fairly thin layer, or it will be very hard to press. If it dosen't turn out the way you want it, let it dry, and then just pop it off and try again. Here's what mine looks like. Garmin have already solved that problem so you do not need to hotglue gun any thing. Edited January 5, 2004 by geko 201 Quote Link to comment
martmann Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Garmin have already solved that problem so you do not need to hotglue gun any thing. OK I've looked around for how they fixed it, but didn't find anything, can you explain how they fixed it please? (I don't own a Geko yet, am just curious). Click HERE For the firmware update, and HERE for the Owner's Manual. Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Garmin have already solved that problem so you do not need to hotglue gun any thing. OK I've looked around for how they fixed it, but didn't find anything, can you explain how they fixed it please? I've been told that they added a ridge to protect the button. They may have also added a requirement to hold the button down for a bit. The original Geko (which I have) will come on with only a very brief tap. Neither of these changes would warrant changing the manual. Quote Link to comment
Stormchild Posted January 6, 2004 Author Share Posted January 6, 2004 i just got mine and there is no ridge on it i was thinking of how i am going to overcome this obsticle and was thinking of getting a piece of rubber o ring or something like it and just glueing it on there but the hot glue thing sounds pretty good i may have to try it if i can find a hot glue gun somewhere thanks for the tips sc Quote Link to comment
+CycleGuy Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 I have a Gecko 301 on order and it is supposed to be in hand around January 20. Since the 301 is similar to the 201 I thought I would get some quick tips. I am greatly appreciative of the power on issue and will see if there has been a fix on the latest and greatest. I also appreciated the cable link...however I bought a garmin cable but got it a discount house...still paid too much compared to GPSGeek.... Thanks for all the good advice! CG Quote Link to comment
+gorillagal Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 For those of you already using the Geko 201, do you have much trouble using it in tree cover? I have a chance to get a Geko free of charge and I'm hoping it will work ok for geocaching here in Colorado. I checked it out on epinions.com and a couple people said it will not work under even moderate tree cover. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
+Perrin Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 For those of you already using the Geko 201, do you have much trouble using it in tree cover? I have a chance to get a Geko free of charge and I'm hoping it will work ok for geocaching here in Colorado. I checked it out on epinions.com and a couple people said it will not work under even moderate tree cover. Thanks! From personal experience I've only had trouble holding a lock under dense tree cover twice and that was in the same forest area. I'm fairly certain it was overcast those two times as well. I did eventually find all of the caches I was after that day, it just took a bit more walking and a LOT more bushwhacking than I was expecting! I've never paid much more attention to the tree cover I've been in since those times, but I can't remember any other time that I've had that much trouble either. The bottom line is, I can't blame the 201 for any of my DNFs. Most of the caches I couldn't find either went missing and I found out later or I just didn't search hard enough and found it on my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th return visit. Quote Link to comment
+Perrin Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 Although as a side note, Faile and I do enjoy blaming our misadventures on the Gecko. Probably because her favorite commercials are the Geico ones. Quote Link to comment
martmann Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 i just got mine and there is no ridge on it i was thinking of how i am going to overcome this obsticle and was thinking of getting a piece of rubber o ring or something like it and just glueing it on there but the hot glue thing sounds pretty good i may have to try it if i can find a hot glue gun somewhere thanks for the tips sc A friend of mine had an early Motorola FRS radio that had a similar problem. He sliced the button down flush with the surrounding area, using a razor blade. Worked great, looked like crap though. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 From personal experience I've only had trouble holding a lock under dense tree cover twice and that was in the same forest area. I'm fairly certain it was overcast those two times as well. There could be a lot of factors affecting that. Being at the low point between mountains can be an issue--we have a spot or two like that in a large park here in MD. Even the "superior" Magellans have a hard time getting a lock. Quote Link to comment
+yumitori Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 For those of you already using the Geko 201, do you have much trouble using it in tree cover? I have a chance to get a Geko free of charge and I'm hoping it will work ok for geocaching here in Colorado. I checked it out on epinions.com and a couple people said it will not work under even moderate tree cover. Thanks! In our case, the Geko seems to work better under cover than the eTrex Vista. Between the two, we are pretty well covered for most situations. Quote Link to comment
+greengecko Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 (edited) I have been using a Geko 201 since June 2003. I have found that battery life for the 201 seems to depend on how often you change the display and which functions you use. In the “GOTO” mode I have drained a new set of batteries in less than 1½ hours, however when left in the same simple display mode without “GOTO” I have had batteries last for 4-6 hours of constant use. I agree on the need to guard the power and function buttons. I placed mine, powered off, in a zippered pouch of a folding notebook I was carrying and two hours later found that the power was on and I had unknowingly changed the screen contrast to where it was totally black and set 50+ waypoints. Buy good batteries on sale in bulk, keep your thumb off the display button and realize that sometimes it's better to think than blindly follow an arrow and you'll do fine! Edited January 6, 2004 by greengecko Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted January 6, 2004 Share Posted January 6, 2004 For those of you already using the Geko 201, do you have much trouble using it in tree cover? I have a chance to get a Geko free of charge and I'm hoping it will work ok for geocaching here in Colorado. I've had problems under some fairly heavy cover here in a tropical zone. You may not have as much problem in a dry climate like CO. If you can get one for free grab it and find out for yourself. Quote Link to comment
+Brer Rabbit Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 In our case, the Geko seems to work better under cover than the eTrex Vista. Between the two, we are pretty well covered for most situations. Ditto to that! Bought 2 Geko's for my boys and both units seem to lock faster and hold lock better in cover than my Vista. We do a fair amount of hiking and skiing and the Geko's have really impressed me. Quote Link to comment
+CycleGuy Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 (edited) Just curious, how many folks use the Garmin Maps to set routes and waypoints and then upload into their Gecko? Has this been successful for you? What have the drwabacks been? I am working on a couple of long distance bicycle trips, which includes some geocaching, by developing a route and setting the waypoints on Mapsource TOPO which I will upload into my Gecko. CG Edited January 7, 2004 by CycleGuy Quote Link to comment
+aka Monkey Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 I tried using a Geko 201 while backpacking in Europe.. I had great difficulty getting a satellite lock. I was unable to get a lock of any sort in London, I'm assuming due to all the buildings. Can anyone else comment on this? Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 I was unable to get a lock of any sort in London, I'm assuming due to all the buildings. Can anyone else comment on this? From time to time you may have problems if the sats are not in a good configuration or if the buildings limit the amount of sky you can see. Not sure why it would be a problem over an extended time. I could see why WAAS might have a problem, but you should have basic lock. Also, the first time you start up you have to let the unit gather enough data - not to mention figuring out that it's now thousand of miles away from the last place it was used. Again, start-up problems but should be normal afterward. Quote Link to comment
+aka Monkey Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 (edited) I left it on for over half an hour, and never got a single satellite lock. Eventually I got some while in the Highlands in Scotland. I haven't had any problems with it here in Colorado. Edited January 8, 2004 by Indiana Cojones Quote Link to comment
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