+Team Bandit Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Just wondering if anyone has tried the new garmin ique3600 and how it works for them ? It looks pretty cool and I keep reading about everyone using the pda's and gps's for caching, this seems to be the best of both worlds? Or maybe just another fancy gizmo to take my money? Quote Link to comment
+CO Admin Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 My understanding from a person that has one is "maybe just another fancy gizmo to take my money? " Quote Link to comment
+CYBret Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 This Article might change your opinion of the iQue's usefulness in Geocaching. Bret Quote Link to comment
martmann Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 This Article might change your opinion of the iQue's usefulness in Geocaching. Bret Looks like the problems they had (less the hoarked up screen) are the same problems common to all GPSrs. Quote Link to comment
+CYBret Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 This Article might change your opinion of the iQue's usefulness in Geocaching. Bret Looks like the problems they had (less the hoarked up screen) are the same problems common to all GPSrs. Don't forget about the battery that had to be recharged every 2 hours. Bret Quote Link to comment
+yumitori Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 The pathetic battery life is what turned me off. After seeing that I didn't bother researching further. An old Palm Vx served my needs just fine, and I'm not going to be devastated if I ruin or lose it. Quote Link to comment
+Peztone Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) I cache with an iQue and an iQue only, I've never seen the battery meter below 80%. The article you pointed at states that the battery life is 2 hours when using the Backlight & voice direction.. turn these off & the battery lasts over twice that time, the screen is easy to read in daylight with the backlight off. Couple the iQue with Cachemate and there's all the Geocaching equipment you need. I often finish work, do a "find nearest cache" search in Cachemate, let the iQue direct me to the closest parking spot, use the CacheNav plugin in Cachemate to take me to the cache, log the find, and then.. "find nearest cache" and off I go again. The beauty of this is that I don't have to prepare for a trip, I just have to have my Que with me and I'm all set. I was considering getting a 60c to compliment the Que, but it simply can't do as much, the only benefit would be the rugged construction, which isn't as issue if you think before you do something stupid! (Stash the que, climb the hill...) -S. (edited because I can't spell) Edited March 4, 2004 by Peztone Quote Link to comment
martmann Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 This Article might change your opinion of the iQue's usefulness in Geocaching. Bret Looks like the problems they had (less the hoarked up screen) are the same problems common to all GPSrs. Don't forget about the battery that had to be recharged every 2 hours. Bret Oh yeah. They did say that was with full bright on the screen, and voice prompting turned on (although I don't think there is too much prompting, in off-road mode, which is what you would use for caching). I don't do a lot of caches that take more than 3 or so hours (much of that time with the GPS off), but it would suck to run out of battery, during the hunt. Quote Link to comment
+Peztone Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 (edited) I don't do a lot of caches that take more than 3 or so hours (much of that time with the GPS off), but it would suck to run out of battery, during the hunt. That's how I cache, and the iQue has gone all day under those conditions, however I do carry a 4xAA battery extender box in my pocket just in case (I've never needed to use it), it's a tiny thing to carry. As an experiment I plugged the battery box into the iQue, put the backlight on, and left it playing MP3's at high volume through headphones, it lasted 14 hours... Edited March 5, 2004 by Peztone Quote Link to comment
+nscaler Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 I only use my iQue also. I carry the same backup 4 AA recharger. Unless you are into 2 to 3 day hikes there should be no problem. Also, the screen will timeout (1 - 3 minutes) but the GPS continues to track. Hit the power button every so often for updates should (and does) increase the battery life. For more info check out the forums at: pdastreet.com Quote Link to comment
+Yak Man & Yak Girl Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Does the batt extender charge the unit while plugged in? can you load mapsource and topo maps on to the sd card and use them in this unit? Quote Link to comment
+Team HomestarRunner Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 (edited) Have either of the iQue users dropped the unit yet?? If so, what was the result. I just don't think they have what it takes when it comes to durability. Edited March 5, 2004 by Team HomestarRunner Quote Link to comment
+Peztone Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 Does the batt extender charge the unit while plugged in? can you load mapsource and topo maps on to the sd card and use them in this unit? Have either of the iQue users dropped the unit yet?? If so, what was the result. I just don't think they have what it takes when it comes to durability. Yes, the batt extender does charge the internal battery, takes about 30 mins for a full charge if you're not using it, longer if you are. Yes you can load mapsource & topo maps, get a 512meg memory card and have them all available at the same time, I have "Fugawi" UK topo maps in mine which are as detailed as you can get. I said earrlier that it's lack of ruggedness is it's only downfall but I'm happy to run that risk, I don't do any climbing/scrambling unless it's safely in my inside pocket and I have both hands free so it's no big deal to me. Having said that you can get an "otter box" for it which out ruggeds any stand alone GPS... -S. Quote Link to comment
+apersson850 Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 The iQue is excellent for caching. Everything you need is included. I haven't found the battery life to be any problem either, since it recharges when you go back to the car. If it's wet, then add a protective box. Then you can still keep everything in one unit, instead of having to use a PDA and a GPS as separate things. Quote Link to comment
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