Carrying GPS

[2GroovyGirls]

I’ve got an Etrex Vista. Besides using it to look for geocaches I like to have it when I take walks in the woods so I can see my track, find out how far I’ve walked, etc… But I don’t want to hold it in front of me the whole time. I’ve tried putting it in my pocket, or carrying case, or wearing it around my neck, but it tends to loose the satellite signals. I’ve thought of velcroing it onto the top of the baseball cap I wear but thought that would pretty much peg the Geek-O-Meter. Any good suggestions?

[ChiefPig]

If you use something like a camelback, you can get a case that would clip/attach the etrex to your shoulder strap.

 

You can also get those shoulder harness that lets you attach a radio or in this case a GPS to a shoulder strap. Maybe something like this?

 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=672505&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=483807&bmUID=1064590796052

[+The Frantic Cachers]

check here......http://www.tnrdgrnr.com/maxpedition/products.htm

 

[+briansnat]

That's one of the few bad points of the eTrex line. I've noticed that my Vista works fairly well in the mesh side pocket of my daypack, as long as it's facing outward and up. Not as well as holding it out in front of you, but it does keep a lock most of the time. What I'd like to get is a holder that I can clip securely to the shoulder strap of my pack.

 

"You can't make a man by standing a sheep on his hind legs. But by standing a flock of sheep in that position, you can make a crowd of men" - Max Beerbohm

 

[This message was edited by BrianSnat on September 26, 2003 at 12:58 PM.]

[+Smitherington]

If you have an external antenna available you can put that where it can see the sky and leave the GPSr anywhere you want. Have the antenna on your shoulder or on your head.

[+Brian - Team A.I.]

I use the plastic 'clip' below the nylon strap that holds the Camelbak hose down to hold it. In this position, it's held in a a position near vertical, and doesn't lose a signal unless I'm laying down on my stomach. The other side of the pack is where I keep my FRS radio as well, within easy reach to talk.

 

Brian

Team A.I.

[+Team Shibby]

Unfortunately the eTrex line does not support an external antenna. Your best bet is what the others have mentioned, get a case with a belt clip and attach it to your backpack shoulder strap.

 

Kar

[ChiefPig]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

That's one of the few bad points of the eTrex line. I've noticed that my works fairly well in the mesh side pocket of my daypack, as long as it's facing outward and up. Not as well as holding it out in front of you, but it does keep a lock most of the time. What I'd like to get is a holder that I can clip securely to the shoulder strap of my pack.

---

 

Brian: This is probably what you want:

 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=672505&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=483799&bmUID=1064601260945

 

I saw it in-store and the clip at the back looks pretty secure.

 

Oh, I like your old avatar better. (That is my polite way of saying that I hate your new one )

[+PDOP's]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Team Shibby:

Unfortunately the eTrex line does not support an external antenna.

---

 

Or you could get one of these which will work with any GPSr

 

PDOP's GPS Pages

[ChiefPig]

PDOP: very interesting stuff. Did you find it locally in Alberta?

[+haggaeus]

Since I have switched from Magellan 315 to Geko 201, I am thinking about getting a solid case for Geko... now I really appreciate that Mag315 protection against accidental power-on (you have to press Enter after pressing pressing Power). It is quite frustrating to get GPSr out of the backpack and find that the batteries are low and there are 20 new waypoints marked :-|

 

Czech caching in US.

[+Alan2]

2GroovyGirls: I could hold it for you

 

Or you could try this.

 

[+PDOP's]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChiefPig:

PDOP: very interesting stuff. Did you find it locally in Alberta?

---

 

No, only at the site listed. I did e-mail GPSCentral suggesting that it's something that they might like to carry. They did think it was interesting but nothing happened. I would think that there's quite a market out there with all the various Etrex models and others in use.

 

Our dollar is not doing to bad right now so even shopping cross border might not be too bad.

 

PDOP's GPS Pages

[Hopsahi Harry]

Clearly, your GEEK-O-METER needs more scale. How about attatching an external antenna to your hat with a big document clip or something? I'm sure that won't peg out (max out, maybe) the geek-o-meter. Then you could put the GPS just about anywhere you want without losing the signal.

[gitarmac]

I have a nite eyes generic one that works great. I cut off the flap so the top of the gps is exposed. There are 2 thin elastic loops and it fits snug. I put in on my shoulder strap, the loop on the case unbuckles and is firm so it is easy to put on and stays stable. It seems to keep the statelite very well.

[+AGREATSCOT]

quote:

---

Originally posted by gitarmac:

I have a nite eyes generic one that works great. I cut off the flap so the top of the gps is exposed....

---

 

How about a picture, sounds interesting!?!?

[+AGREATSCOT]

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Frantic Cachers:

check here......http://www.tnrdgrnr.com/maxpedition/products.htm

 

---

 

Geocaching Home Groundspeak Forums GPS Garage Sale Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you MAXPEDITION

 

TNRonin has a thread in the garage sale area. I have ordered a CP-L for that very purpose.

Peter AKA Agreatscot

[Swagger]

I use Garmin's carrying case for my Legend (fits all eTrex models) and clip it to the shoulder strap of my Camelbak. Works perfectly.

 

--

Pehmva!

 

Random quote:

[+MountainMudbug]

Perhaps one of these could be modified to carry a GPS... gotta keep those hands free!

[+Jamie Z]

MM...

 

Hah! As evidence that *everything* has been discussed before, I give you this post, made by me five months ago.

 

I laughed aloud when I clicked on your link.

 

Jamie

[TNRonin]

 

I use one of these for my cell, I'm waiting on the large ones for my sportrak. The cp-m should fit your bill. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Greatscot has some pics on the thread in the garage sale section.

 

Upper Cumberland Chapter

 

Maxpedition Hard Use Nylon Gear

[+Desert_Warrior]

LOOK HERE....

 

Item D is where my E-Trex rides.

 

This is a pager pouch made by RAINE INC.

 

THIS IS IT....

 

It cost under $4 in the Ft. Bliss PX. Dunno what it costs outside, but can't be much more. It is FULLY adjustable with velcro flaps, and has a velcro cover flap too.

 

Once I got mine fitted to the E-Trex, I took a chunk of sticky-back felt pad, and put it inside to protect the E-Trex screen. If I could change one thing, it would only be the color. Black in the hot desert sun is not a good choice. Otherwise, it is perfect. The E-trex rides high on my shoulder strap, always has a good view of the sky, and is easily accessable with either hand.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC).

El Paso, Texas.

 

Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom.

 

They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS!

[+MountainMudbug]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jamie Z:

MM...

 

Hah! As evidence that *everything* has been discussed before, I give you http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=4016058331&m=47460125&r=32560125#32560125, made by me five months ago.

 

I laughed aloud when I clicked on your link.

 

Jamie

---

 

Ahhh, I knew I'd seen that goofball somewhere before!

[+1cheapmike]

Since I'm frugle, I looking for things I already have. Can be used to attach to walking stick, backback and even extremities (although no direct skin contact is advisable).

 

How about this?

 

Team Leader, my wife says so!

[+cmpalmer]

Most people might not want to modify their GPSr case this much, but I bought a little clip post cell phone hanger with a self adhesive pad to put on the back of my eTrex. The pad wouldn't hold on the rubber on the battery door, so I used some epoxy to permanently attach it (neatly).

 

With that single post on the back of my GPSr, I now have:

 

A car mount via a dashboard holder

 

A belt clip

 

A bicycle mount (I mounted a locking belt clip holder to my handlebar with a pipe clamp)

 

An adjustable backpack shoulder strap clip (attached a belt clip to the shoulder strap using a Velcro cable tie)

 

A walking staff holder (epoxyed a dashboard clip to the top of my walking stick)

 

I prefered the glued on post to the carrying case alternatives because it doesn't interfere with the screen or any of the buttons and it gave me a lot of flexibility in mounting it.

 

--

stream of did I lock the front door? consciousness

[+Corp Of Discovery]

I use this case with my Merigold:ACP11. It holds it pretty snug and has 2 pen/flashlight spots on either side of mesh pocket on the front. I carry a notebook to keep track of stuff in mesh pocket. Did put another strap on it as the one that comes with it is small and digs into neck after a while and was a little short.

 

Remember, wherever you go- there you are!

[CloneZone]

Until I got a handlebar mount for my eTrex, I always used to carry it in my bike jersey back pocket, and received signal about 99.5% of the time, even through the jersey fabric. I suppose it helps that my big, fat ugly head is leaning forward out of the way while I'm biking.

 

I think the Camelbak solutions are good ones as well. Pretty much anything that minimizes your body blocking the signal, especially your head.

[+BGunner01]

LOL about your pegging the Geek-O-Meter if you wear your GPSR on top of your ball cap!!

 

I second Cruzin's recommendation about using the standard Garmin carrying case. It's cheap and easy to do, and I've had very satisfactory results. I simply clip my eTrex (in its protective case) to the top of one of my backpack shoulder straps. It is positioned properly (pointed upward) to receive satellite signal and I can easily glance down to read it. When I need to remove my backpack, I unclip the GPSR and let it temporarily hang from the neck strap.

[+smenzel]

How well do the belt holsters work with the eTrex units? I notice that most/all of them have a securing strap which covers the top of them.

[Swagger]

quote:

---

Originally posted by smenzel:

How well do the belt holsters work with the eTrex units? I notice that most/all of them have a securing strap which covers the top of them.

---

Works great. I don't have any trouble at all with the strap blocking the signal. The only complaint I have is that the window gets dirty and needs cleaning occasionally.

[Team Titus213]

Just bought an eTrex Legend and picked up a Garmin case at Cabela's on the way home from vacation. Found the case in their discount cave for $8.29. So far works great and seems to acquire signal with no problem. Has lanyard hole, belt clip, and clip ring. Check it at Cabela's for one place.

 

___________________________________

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

[+SearchRescueDog]

I keep my GPS72 in a cell phone case hooked to the side of my backpack. It is far enough back that is is out of the way and the signal isn't obstructed by my body as much but it is still within reach. I do the same thing on the other side of my pack for my 2-way radio.

[+smenzel]

Cool. This is good information. I'm going to add one of these cases to my wish list. Thanks.