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I have a magellan 315 it works ok untill you get in some brush, woods etc. Would anyone out there suggest a better GPS that I would not have this problem. Somewhere around the price range 200 to 250 it seems like you can get a real nice one. Thanks for your help.
Garmin
Hey Digger…welcome to the WGA. Unfortunately, that is the way any GPSr. Heavier wooded areas or heavier brush, the satelites get blocked and the GPSr loses signal. Even our $250 Magellan SporTrak Pros do that. Have read in an article that between Garmin and Magellan, Magellan tends to hold its signal better in wooded areas…but THAT was the article stating that not me. I have not used a Garmin. Heavy clouds will mess with GPSr signals too.
quote:
Originally posted by Trudy & the beast:
GarminSorry, I couldn’t resist.
In fact My Garmin 12 [$119] generaly locks and holds a lock on satelites much better under cover than my Garmin Map 76 [$350], our Garmin 60’s [$375] do a good job under cover.I don’t know much about Magellan units other than their corporate HQ is Paris, France.
Thanks for the help it does not sound like I need to upgrade to a newer GPS. I’ll keep playing with the one I’ve got. I think part of the problem is I was trying to follow the Compass Nav screen and it was getting me all turned around. Any other suggestions for a new guy doing this I’ll take all the help I can get. Thanks!!!
Everyong has their own techniques, but what I do when that stupid GPSr compass starts flying all over the place is to turn to the screen showing your actual coordinates on it. I sometimes have to look back to see what the last couple of #’s are for coords for the cache I am at, then flip to the coords screen and follow that. Of course that is touchy too. If I move to fast or don’t stop to let the GPS settle for about 30 sec…I would often times bypass the cache location.
Some people use a regular compass when going into the thicker coverings. I have not learned to do that, but Ecorangers and Bushwhacking Queen said they would teach me a lesson I would not soon forget. LOL Hmm was that with the compass or otherwise. Anyways…I heard using a regular compass works well too. Beast… you two use that method also, don’t you??
I always take a regular compass along with me. In fact, it’s lashed right to my fanny pack waist strap. When under cover, and close to ground zero it’s really helpful to cross-reference what the GPSr is telling me with what the compass “says”…
Then comes the elusive use of “the force”… No one’s mentioning that these days but, I can assure you it exists!!
Cache on,
Bill
The compass on your GPS screen stops working accurately when you are zig-zagging through the underbrush, or when you are standing still. That is why I also carry a magnetic compass.
I look to see which way the “arrow” on the GPS is pointing, then I use the compass to go in that direction.
Some newer units have electronic compasses built in them, but these yeild mixed results. The one in my Garmin GPS Map76CS seems to constantly nag me to hold the unit level. Hold it a little off-level, and the arrow spins around like a top. My Sylvan magnetic compass NEVER does that.
My first GPSR was a Magellan Spor Trak Map. It has always been a great unit. It doesn’t have turn-by-turn mapping, but has one heck of a signal lock (it rarely goes out…even under the most dense cover or bad weather). The compass is also very good on the unit.
It’s very user friendly. I like it so much I got a second one to share with others walking with us. A few have gone and gotten their own after using it.I just found this link…you may want to check it out: http://www.adventurestation.com/product/view_product.asp?x_ID=142202&CatID=14179
In attempt to turn me into a Garmin user, Bob got me a etrex legend C for Christmas. I like it a lot too, but I’ll be carrying the Magellan as well (just to make sure we get where we’re going!).
Good luck on your search for a new unit!
quote:
Originally posted by Flushingrouse:
I always take a regular compass along with me. In fact, it’s lashed right to my fanny pack waist strap. When under cover, and close to ground zero it’s really helpful to cross-reference what the GPSr is telling me with what the compass “says”…Then comes the elusive use of “the force”… No one’s mentioning that these days but, I can assure you it exists!!
Cache on,
Bill
Some day I will be a real cacher using those fancy direction pointy thingys; until now I have used “The Force.”
I tried once to utilize an old fashion compass but the darn thing did not work properly. I tried to get it to work in various ways but at no time could I get the compass to display my coordinates, so I left it in a cache.
I utilize a Lowrance Phd and it has the built in compass but it works off of the GPS satellites to get its bearings and define direction. I take an external antenna with me when going into thick woods to insure I keep a good lock. I found one nice feature of this that has increased my usage of the external antenna for rough terrain. I can have the GPSr in my pocket in safe place while I climb or help my kids along and know that while the GPSr would normally loses signal being covered up the external antenna insures that it does not so no need to actually stop and wait for a new fix.
In short, if you have problems in the woods invest in an external antenna if your unit has the capability.
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