New Geocacher Looking For Advise

[Team Levy]

Hi all,

 

I'm a new cacher (found 5 out of 6 on my first weekend) with a Garmin MAP60CS GPSr. I've been trolling these forums for the last few weeks collecting feedback on GPSr units and I think I've made the right decision. I really love my 60CS. However I have one question.

 

I keep reading about how people are getting accuracy measurements around 10 ft. With clear blue sky overhead, 7+ satellites locked, WAAS enabled, the best I've seen is 17 ft.... and that's rare. Usually I'm over 20 ft.

 

Does it take an external antenna to hit the ~10 ft accuracy marks?

Thanks all!!!

[Donutslayer]

Hello, Thats about what I get with my Geko 201 with WAAS. Only about 10% of the time do I get better than 14 feet. I do get to 8 or 9 ft when I'm in my boat.

[+Rogue_monkey]

no not always. it will depend on where you are located in the world. the time of day, where the statellits are located, tree cover and clear view of the sky with the gpsr.

all of these will affect your accuracy. your 20ft accuracy is common. i wouldn't worry about it to much.

[+briansnat]

I've seen as low as 7 feet with my eTrex, but its usually around 15-30 feet. What you are getting is quite normal.

[+jj3]

I've noticed (in Texas) on my garmin60c that I'll get really close (under 10') in the morning and then it increases a bit during the day and finally in the evenings to 14-18' or so.

 

I've actually seen it read 3' before but I just can't buy into that...maybe it's because I never saw anything like that on my prior eTrexes.

[+EraSeek]

Slevy, the 60cs is an awesome unit. Alot of factors can affect accuracy. Also the accuracy reading is simply a programmed guestimate. You will see lower readings when the correct condition occur. If you are using WAAS, it first has to be initiated. Are you seeing little "D's" above your satellite bars? I'm local to you. Send me an E-Mail if you wish.

[+writer]

You seem to be in Washington state - according to a Garmin tech support person I spoke with, using WAAS can be tricky. Northern areas don't get anywhere near as good a signal as those closer to the equator, and if the signal isn't strong, WAAS can actual make your position reading less accurate. Try turning it off and see if there is any change, and, as others said, remember that accuracy is an estimate. All the technology really guarantees is 15 meters/49 feet. If you find yourself closer to caches than that, be happy.

[+The Commissar!]

Remember too, that if you are looking at EPE...that is the GPSr's guess as to its current accuracy. If it really knew where it was it would tell you that instead of guessing how wrong it is...

[Team Levy]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I really appreciate all the advise since I'm still trying to figure out how to actually best use my GPSr. This is such an awesome hobby... I can't believe I've only recently heard about it!!!