GPS's

[Neil]

I was thinking about buying a GPS unit (so I could follow the trail to Mt. Marcy) but I hear they may not be all that effective under forest cover. Since these are the conditions under which I would want to use a GPS can anyone set me straight on that? Furthermore I don't want to spend much, less than $200 CDN.. I don't need a map of every N. American city complete with the nearest massage parlour

[redhawk]

I have a garmin Rino 110. I have no problem under the canopy.

Cost is around $180

It lists the massage parlors but most of them rub me the wrong way!

[Neil]

Redhawk, I noticed that a total of 16 minutes elapsed between my info request and your reply. What took you so long?
Does your unit give you elevation and if so, is it accurate?

[redhawk]

Redhawk, I noticed that a total of 16 minutes elapsed between my info request and your reply. What took you so long?
Does your unit give you elevation and if so, is it accurate?

I always read the stuff by the Americans first!

Yes it gives elevation and it's accurate.

Go to Garmin.com and check out the Rino's. lots of neat features. I can up/download waypoints and routes to mine but not maps. The next one up takes maps (nice but not necessary).

I've been out wit people with some other units, Garmin and magellans. I am very happy with my choice. In fact, if I can swing it I will probably get the new `130.

[Neil]

I have a garmin Rino 110.

What would be a non radio equivalent?

[Dave K]

I've got a Garmin Etrax Legend, 160 bucks... it works well in light woods but gets shaky under heavy cover. Up around Cranberry lake it maintained a lock maybe 50% of the time.

[Mavs00]

I have the eTrex Vista, it's a Legend with WAAS and a altimeter. Mine works everywhere in the DAKS and quite well. We are blessed with good sat. coverage (at least in the High Peaks).

I've only occasionally lose signal, but if I stop for a few minutes (a great excuse to break ) I'll pick it right up. I've been DEEP under cover and OFF Trail and found it still works like a champ.

Coverage is not as good in some areas, such as those mountains to the east if us (I understand from others that coverage is not as dependable), but here in NY, I never have had a problem with my unit..

[Kevin]

Sames as Tim, I've had good experience with my Garmin eTrex Summit (about $190 retail) [formerly Alpinesummit's GPS unit].

It holds a decent signal, but found that if it's not held upright it loses track easier. This tells me the antenna is on the top of the unit and it doesn't take much between the satellite and unit to block the signal. If I leave it dangling around my neck and hike for a while, I'll come back to it and it's "lost" and has to retrack for my current coordinate. This is because the unit itself (screen and batteries, etc) are coming between the antenna and the satellite above. The key though, as Tim said, is that it always seems to find a signal no matter where I am. Worse accuracy I've had is 100 feet, best about 20.

[redhawk]

What would be a non radio equivalent?

I don't know but I like the radio especially when i bushwhack with friends who have a RINO also.

You can set it so whenever you key the mike it sends your location to other Rinos. You can also upload a waypoint to someone via the radio.

And it works with any of the other FRS GMRS Radios.


And I would guess that I have satelitle lock 98% of the time or better, anywhere in the Dacks. I have been under canopy at low elevations for long periods of times and held signal.

It's the most reliable I have come across so far.

[nazdarovye]

I have a Geko 301 and think it's just adequate - it does lose the signal more often than I'd like while in the trees out west (haven't tried it in the Adirondacks yet). I like the built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, and I like that it's so light (just a few ounces) and small. It's WAAS compatible, and as long as it has a good lock, is fast and accurate, but it supports no mapping at all - just waypoints and tracks.

I'm looking to upgrade to the GPSMAP 76cs or something along those lines (color screen, topo mapping) but am in no rush for the moment.

[NukedRocket]

True story

I was sitting atop the summit of Wright a few weeks back when another hiker climbed to where I was sitting and asked "Is this the summit?" I replied and noticed all the while he was staring at his GPS. His response was "Hmph. This has an altimeter on it. Wright is supposed to be 4580, but I have 4470. This altimeter is accurate within 6 inches so.....they must have measured the mountain wrong." I nearly fell over

I guess my point (if I have one) is that technology can be great, assuming the person operating it has a clue. Granted, I don't have any of the new toys but I would hope if I did, I'd now how to use it before I went anywhere...

Sorry if I'm a bit OT here.

[Dave K]

When I had 50% connection around Cranberry it was with the unit around my neck (antenna down). The Legend also has WAAS (but no built in compass or barometric altimiter, you have to be moving to get a compass reading and have a signal to get altitude). Best accuracy I've seen is 11 feet, worse about 50.

[Gandalf]

they must have measured the mountain wrong."

I've started hiking with a GPS only this summer and have found the device to be somewhat useful, but I would never go so far as to trust it over a known altitude position. The most inaccurate reading I've found thus far was 4210' for Donaldson's summit (70' too high). Oddly enough, it read 50' too high for Emmons and only 10' too high upon my return to Donaldson...I guess you really can't climb the same mountain twice!

[Neil]

After a quick perusal of Garmin's website the Gecko 201 seems to fit the bill for me. I noticed that the Etrex series is heavier and has longer battery life. Can anyone tell me performance-wise the differences between the Gecko and Etrex series?

[redhawk]

I have a friend who has the Gecko 201. When we bushwhacked into Hell devil Dam in the Silver Lake Wilderness, he had signal only about 45% of the time. My RINO had signal continously. The Rino also had more features and options then the Geico (and most of the etrex series) and is much easier to use with one hand.

To make a long story longer. He Bought a RINO 120 and sold his Geiko. Hows that for an endorsement?

One thing to remember about any gps with a barometic altimeter, they are affected by barometric pressure and temperature.
As far as what Nuked Rocket said, I agree. One has to learn how to use them. The thing is, the basics entering, marking, gointg to wayopoints, tracks, can all be piced up pretty easily. However, over a period of time and use, you will find more and more features in the GPS and learn how to apply them.

I'm still finding things out with the RINO and I've had it for over a year. The GPS I had before this had just the minimum of functions.