Re: GPS watch (like Garmin ForeRunner) and tree cover
From: Ignoramus24825 (ignoramus24825_at_NOSPAM.24825.invalid)
Date: 11/17/04
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Date: 17 Nov 2004 15:51:54 GMT
On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 14:58:04 GMT, SR <sallyjr@juno.com> wrote:
> I have a Garmin Etrex Vista. This is a hand-held GPS, not one of the
> new wristband ones. I tried to use this to measure my distance while
> biking. It works fine on open roads, but not under long stretches of
> tree cover. I have similar difficulties while hiking in the woods -
> generally, whenever I am in the shadow of a tree, the GPS receiver
> cannot get a reading from the satellites. Once I move out from the
> shadows, it takes from one to several seconds for it to locate the
> satellites and get a reading.
>
> I have carried the Vista in my hand while jogging in wooded areas, and
> it has worked just fine. The paths I jog on, however, are wide enough
> that they are generally not shadowed.
Thanks. To give you an idea, I run on a sidewalk along a four lane
road, the road is not all shoadowed, but there are shadowy areas.
> You may not have a problem if you are running straight paths with
> occasional trees - the unit will take a reading every x seconds (with
> the Vista, you can set the time interval for readings), and will
> interpolate the distance traveled from those data points.
Thanks, that's exactly why I mentioned that I run on the straight
path.
> One problem I've had: I run in the very early morning, and find it
> difficult to read the screen while running in semidarkness, even with
> the backlight. I believe the numbers displayed on the wrist-style
> receivers are much larger, probably for just this reason.
Thanks, that's actually quite important for me, especially going into
winter. I have enough lighting on that particular road, not in all
places, but in enough places.
Is the forerunner sold at places like Walmart? I could then buy it and
try it, and return if I do not like it.
> Another problem: The point on the receiver which communicates with
> satellites needs a clear view of the sky. I've found that even my
> clothing can interfere with the signal, e.g., if I try to clip it to
> my belt or hang it around my neck, my shirt or jacket can cover it up
> enough to be a problem. I don't know if you would need to pay more
> attention to your forearm position while running in order to maintain
> the signal.
A good issue. Don't know the answer to this one, maybe I should buy
one and try it. What concerns me is that right now, the trees are
bare, so I may have good reception, but 6 months later the device will
stop working.
> A suggestion: find out the store's return policy, in case it doesn't
> do what you want. I got mine from REI, which does not have a time
> limit on returns.
A good idea.
> If you get one, I hope you will post here to say whether you are
> satisfied - I've been thinking I'd like to get one of the wristband
> models myself!
I will keep everyone informed.
-- Running Log: http://igor.chudov.com/weightloss/exercise.txt
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