Re: recommendations for a newbie.....long


Dennis Martin wrote:
> Hello all, I'm looking at purchasing a GPS unit to use mostly while
riding
> an ATV, I'd like to be able to store "rides" in different area that
others
> have lead the way on so I can go back later and not need a"tour
guide' . I'd
> probably use it while travelling in unknown territory in the car
also.

To get any real value out of it in a car, you'll need to load
detailed mapping from a CD map product. That will make the amount of
memory important. Do you want turn-by-turn directions (called auto
routing), or just your current position shown on a map?

>I've
> looked online at the Legend, Legend C, Vista, and Vista C.

Apparently you used Garmin's product comparison page. That's a
good start.

>The Legend only
> has 8 MB of memory, but I'm not really sure how much memory I'm going
to
> need.

If you want to use it in a car, 8 MB won't hold mapping for very much
area. I would remove this one from consideration.

>Then we have the Vista, basically the same except it has 24 MB of
> memory, batteries are only good for 12 hours, and it has a built in
> electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. Don't all GPS units
have a
> compass and altimeter ?

What all GPS units have is a compass display and a readout of GPS
elevation. These are not the same as an electronic compass and a
barometric altimeter. A compass display only shows direction while you
are moving. An electronic compass will show direction when you are
standing still. For me, the compass sensor is a convenience. While
stopped at a rest stop on a hike, I like being able to select a
waypoint that I stored from maps at home and being able to locate it by
just pointing the GPS. You can do almost anything with a
non-electronic compass that you can do with the compass sensor in a GPS
receiver. The built in electronic compass just makes it a bit faster
and easier. It also drains the batteries much more quickly than if you
don't use it. (This is probably the main reason why the rated
battery life is less for models that have an electronic compass.)
Fortunately, you can turn it off when you don't need it. GPS
elevation is calculated from satellite geometry, just as your
horizontal location is, but the error in elevation is much greater. A
rule of thumb is that the error in vertical position tends to be about
two times the error in horizontal position. A barometric altimeter is
supposed to be more accurate, if it's properly calibrated. Mine
seems to work well, but some people seem to have trouble getting good
results from them.

>Then we have the Legend C, color screen, 36 hours
> out of the batteries ( is this really accurate) ,

Probably close, at least in relative terms. The processors in the
newer designs seem to be more efficient in terms of power consumption.

>a different set of "base
> maps" , which I know nothing about.

Base maps are all you have if you don't buy a CD and load more
detailed maps. All the base map has is major roads and the location of
towns. No street detail. Not very useable. Some base maps are better
than others, but I don't know how the ones in the units you are
looking at compare.

>Upgraded to 24 MB of memory. USB
> connection, proximity waypoints ( what are these ? )

Proximity waypoints aren't any different than other waypoints, but
you can have the receiver alert you if you get close (in proximity) to
one of them. This can be useful for avoiding nasty things you don't
want to get too close to (rocks in the water, cliffs, an ex-spouse's
house).

>Audible alarms ( don't
> care about these),

More useful than you may think. The alarms are for things like alerting
you when you are approaching a destination, not just an alarm clock.

>500 less waypoints How many do I need ?)

If you download your waypoints to a computer and save them there, I
would be surprised if you would ever need more than 500 in your GPS
receiver at one time.

> a patch antenna
> vs. a "built in" antenna ( which is better ? )

First, this is a case of inconsistency by Garmin in putting together
the data for the comparison page. They all have built-in, patch
antennas (look at the specifications on the individual page for each
unit). That said, the design of the newer patch antennas in the color
models has been reported by many users who have experience with both to
get much better reception than the patch antennas in the older,
greyscale models.


> and no electronic compass or
> barometric altimeter. Then we have the Vista C ( getting a little
pricey for
> me now) that has the best of all the features ( or so it would seem)
..

More money, more features. Imagine that! ;^) It doesn't sound to me
like you would get much benefit from an electronic compass or
barometric altimeter. If you want to keep the cost down, you could
skip these.

>I'm
> looking at a price range here from $102 to $254, and I'm confused as
hell,
> what do I really NEED, and what will I kick myself in the *** for
later if
> I don't get it ?

Only you know what you really need. I hope that having some of your
questions answered will help you decide. In my opinion, the things you
are most likely to kick yourself later for not getting would be auto
routing, more memory, and a color screen. Also, the 60C has a
quad-helix antenna (as opposed to the patch) and the general consensus
seems to be that quad-helix antennas perform better.

>Also, I started my search just looking at Garmins because
> they seem to be the "big" name out there, but I'm not opposed to
another
> brand, I've been seeing where people don't particularly care for the
fact
> that Garmin forces you to use their proprietary software, what are
your
> thoughts on this ?

All brands of dedicated GPS receivers force you to use their
proprietary software. This is not limited to Garmin. About the only
way to avoid using proprietary software is to use a GPS connected to a
PDA or laptop that is running map software. I don't think this is
practical for the use you intend. By all means look at other brands,
but not for that reason. I've only used Garmins, but Magellan has a
lot of fans.

Good luck making a decision.

.

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