+Tim in Hollywood Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 Hi all, OK. No jokes about surgical GPS implants! I'm going to be downhill skiing several days over the next two months. I'd like to have my GPSr record my movements. I have a Garmin eTrex Legend. How can I attach this to myself and still have it get a decent signal. The basic lanyard won't work, because I don't want the unit to fly up and smack me in the face. I'm thinking of an elastic strap for my arm, but there are two problems... 1. I don't have the appropriate elastic strap around my bicep or forearm 2. I'm not sure how the strap would attach to the unit? Anything attached to my head is not really acceptable, unless it's stealth. I don't have any desire to look like a complete dork! Thanks for your suggestions! Tim in Hollywood Quote
IceKnight (aka VectorJoe) Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 I'm not really sure how you would to it, or what equipment it would take, but I would think that a good place to attach a GPSr would be on behind your shoulder on your upper back. That would probably get the best reception. Just an idea. Quote
+Halden Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 What about attachig it to a backpack or Hip Sack? Cell Phone belt clip maybe? Quote
Taxman003 Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 (edited) I have the same problems when it comes to hunting and walking through the bush. Because I carry a backpack, I purchased the standard case with the belt clip and attached it to one of the straps. Remember to use your lanyard though and wrap it around your neck (because a branch could pull on your GPS!). So, if you use a pack of any kind, hopefully this would work. I don't know if clipping it on belt works well or not (as far as receiving a nice constant signal). Does anyone else? Have fun! Mike Edited January 26, 2004 by Taxman003 Quote
+RobAGD Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 Get a belt clip case that enclosed the unit completely. Then stuff it into the band of your goggles and use the lanyard as a safty. It shoudlnt look any worse the a pack of smokes or a cell phone which I have seen tucked into goggle bands when I have been snow boarding. -Robert Quote
+tjej Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 This actually being done at Copper Mountain ski area in Colorado. They are using an arm band that has been manufactured to hold the GPS. Actually pretty neat, at the end of the day they give you a map that show where on the mountain you skied along with a huge amount of data. (i.e. max vertical, number of runs, speed avg, fastest..etc etc.) Quote
+GeckoGeek Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 Or you can say this is a good excuse for a new toy. Quote
Team BooneDog Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 I have a legend and when I go snowmobiling I put it in my breat pocket. Still gets strong signal and records everywhere I go. I would be a little worried about skiing with one on a belt clip or arm band. You'd be one good wipeout from having to buy a new one, atleast with the way I ski Quote
+kfishok Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 I read a while back about a neoprene cell phone case that Wal-mart sold that worked well for the Legend. I got one for less than ten dollars. I ended up cutting the arm band off and just using it as a case. I don't know what kind of reception you would get inside the case, but for 10 bucks, it might be worth a try. Quote
+StarshipTrooper Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 Maybe you could use something like this . -ST Quote
+StarshipTrooper Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 If you wear a daypack or hydration pack while you ski, you might also take a trip to your local sporting goods store, and look for a gps/frs pouch that is designed to attach to your pack's shoulder strap by means of a wide velcro-closure sleeve. I got mine at Sportsman's Warehouse, and that's what I use almost all the time. I can velcro the sleeve just above the sternum strap and it stays in place for great reception, even in the trees. -ST Quote
Us 5 Camp Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 You might want to consider (depending upon batteries used) that the cold temps while skiing will dramatically affect batter life, say nothing to the responsiveness of the LCD. my choice would be to keep the gpsr in my coat pocket and thread and external antenna out the back of my jacket and attach to my coat, had, goggles, etc. (and if I didn't have an external antenna jack, I'd sell my gps and buy a 60c/cs ) I've been caching in severe cold with NiMH batteries and they die very quickly in the cold! Quote
+dino_hunters Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 use lithium batteries in the cold Quote
+xlr-er Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 http://cops911.com/amateurRadiovest.asp I did a little google search and came up with this site. I have no affiliation with it but the vest idea is not a bad one. Quote
Dosido Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 Have you tried just putting it in your pocket? I frequently leave the GPS in the jacket of my winter coat when caching without my daughter in the backpack (then I have a clip and wear it on the hip belt). I've yet to have a problem with reception with it secured in my coat pocket. I have a Magellan Sportrak Topo. Brian Quote
+Bozz Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 Maybe you could use something like this . -ST That is one NICE CASE for skiing, or anything else where it has to be securely fastened to your person. Bozz Quote
+º Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 I've been snowboarding in Davos last week and I used this item (without the moose) - you have to carry beacon/probe/shovel anyway so the daypack doesn't disturb very much. As you can see the etrex is secured with an additional strap. Quote
+MtnGoat50 Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 Hi Tim, I just bought a legend for the same purpose. The first thing I noticed is when I put the Legend in my pocket, the signals go away. I don't think any of the radio chest packs will work unless you wear them outside your coat. I like the shoulder strap mount for a pack put I usually don't wear a pack skiing. I'm looking for some kind of an arm mount, maybe something I can wear on my forearm, where it can be seen easily. Motorola makes an arm pack for their FRS radios but it doesn't look like it would hold the Legend very securely. If I come up with any thing that works well I'll post it. Quote
+StarshipTrooper Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 Teamguzbach's example is exactly what I was talking about in my last post. Works great. I wouldn't wear the GPSr on my arm while skiing. As often as I crash - and it's almost always on my arm - it would surely take a beating. The radio holder I posted the link to would probably work best for anyone who won't be wearing a pack. If cold is a concern, it can be easily worn under a jacket. -ST Quote
+GeckoGeek Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 I just bought a legend for the same purpose. The first thing I noticed is when I put the Legend in my pocket, the signals go away. To be sure, your body will partially block the unit's ability to see the sky, but depending on what the pocket is made of, it shouldn't be blocking any signals. Quote
+planetrobert Posted January 27, 2004 Posted January 27, 2004 i put my gps in a mesh pocket in my camelbak when i snowboard. works very well Quote
+RobRee Posted January 28, 2004 Posted January 28, 2004 have a local alteration shop sew a mesh pocket with flap on top of your backpack. it worked for me. my wife sews well so it was a breeze. 20$ max. top of backpack SHOULD never hit anything.. if it does so does your head, so bigger probs than breaking gpsr. robbie Quote
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