Author Topic: Handheld GPS Receivers  (Read 386 times)

Offline Sandman

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Handheld GPS Receivers
« on: April 05, 2004, 11:26:00 PM »
Any recommendations for handheld GPS receivers?

I'm currently leaning real hard towards a Magellan Meridian Gold.

Any insight/input is appreciated.
sand

Offline Maverick

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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2004, 11:45:00 PM »
You are talking about flying GPS machines aren't you?

Before you decide on whichever brand, think about the cost of database updates. In the past Garmin was the most expensive. I have a 95XL and they quoted me a price of $125.00 for one update. I figured since it was for VFR anyhow I could compare sectionals and the Garmin a lot cheaper than updating.

I understand thay have come down in price but find out the cost before you get one.

I like the Garmin 195, the monochrone version of their color handheld. It is MUCH cheaper and lbatteries last longer as well.
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2004, 11:55:28 PM »
Hehe... no... not flying... walking. :)
sand

Offline rpm

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« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2004, 11:59:12 PM »
I hear the newest generation mobile phones have GPS.
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2004, 12:01:10 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by rpm371
I hear the newest generation mobile phones have GPS.


One more gadget I don't want on a phone. :) Cameras, MP3 players, PDA's... pffft.
sand

Offline rpm

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« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2004, 12:03:50 AM »
Would come in handy keeping track of your kids.
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Offline Gh0stFT

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« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2004, 02:00:26 AM »
Sandman for Paragliding we use some products from  Bräuninger .
I'm sure they can be used for walking too ;)

R
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Offline beet1e

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« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2004, 04:40:52 AM »
I have the Garmin Legend. It has a really useful map display amongst its other features.

If I were buying again today, one thing I'd look at is expected battery life. That Garmin eats batteries. In cities and towns it's not so good because of tall buildings, but I don't know if any GPS could overcome that problem.

Offline Creamo

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« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2004, 04:57:02 AM »
Garmin Rino 110.

110

Pretty cheap, but it is best if your friend has one. Then it is really cool. You have radio contact, and can with a click, get their immediate location.

Offline CyranoAH

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« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2004, 05:56:47 AM »
If you have a Pocket PC/Palm, check the bluetooth/mini GPS receivers. That + Ozi Explorer is all you want :)

Daniel

Offline Nilsen

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« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2004, 05:59:31 AM »
Magellan has been good to me.

Offline LePaul

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« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2004, 08:19:51 AM »
Garmin

As you may know, I work for a navigation software outfit and while there are oodles of brands I deal with on the phone with customers, the Garmins are the king of the heap...from inexpensive hand helds for your needs, to full-size plotters for larger vessels

Magellan...bleah...seen too many go out to lunch on people.  I wouldn't give one to my worst enemy.

Offline Nilsen

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« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2004, 08:24:38 AM »
still has been good to me ;)

Offline LePaul

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« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2004, 08:30:37 AM »
And Im sure 99% of them are.  You have to recall that Im in the tech support and testing section...if someone has problematic stuff, it goes to me and my coworkers.

Maybe they've licked the problem, but for a long time, Magellans were notorious for randomly not sending data out their external data line.  So if you had it hooked to a computer program like ours or outside instruments, suddenly you lost all positional info.  Meanwhile, your Magellan screen was all nice and happy, not indicating a problem inthe world.  Sometimes power cycling cured it, other times, it would send data, then stop for 10-15 mins at a time, start sending again for hours, then randomly stop, etc.  Not good if you have a large yacht in rough waters, near shoals, etc etc.

We had 2 units in house that did it.

Again, maybe they fixed it.  

Offline Nilsen

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« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2004, 08:36:30 AM »
Don't know about the data thing, when i had the gps i used it "solo".
Someone stole it from me and id sure like to ask him :mad:  if he had any trouble with it...i would also discuss another issue with him.