Buying a GPS

Other issues that relate to international Geocaching.
Post Reply
MODUtoo

Buying a GPS

Post by MODUtoo » 04 November 06 3:25 pm

I am looking at buying a GPS (It is a bit of a challenge finding caches with no GPS, although we have found 2) and I am wondering if anyone has any views on the Etrex Vista as it appears to be what I want with an altimeter, and the ability for mapping. I also saw the Etrex Vista cx and wondered how much better the colour screen is and the other features it has. The other thing I wondered about is if anyone has an idea where I can go for a good deal, l am located in Adelaide, but it looks like the best deals are on the web so if anyone has any information that would be great.

Looking forward to finding more caches. MODU

User avatar
Cached
2500 or more caches found
2500 or more caches found
Posts: 3087
Joined: 24 March 04 4:32 pm
Location: Launceston, Tasmania
Contact:

Post by Cached » 04 November 06 4:08 pm

Alex at Cartographics in Unley will meet web prices, such as Johnny Appleseed, is an all-round nice guy and a geocacher.

User avatar
EcoTeam
200 or more found
200 or more found
Posts: 1267
Joined: 03 April 03 7:57 pm
Twitter: EEVblog
Location: Crestwood, NSW
Contact:

Re: Buying a GPS

Post by EcoTeam » 04 November 06 7:55 pm

MODUtoo wrote:I am looking at buying a GPS (It is a bit of a challenge finding caches with no GPS, although we have found 2) and I am wondering if anyone has any views on the Etrex Vista as it appears to be what I want with an altimeter, and the ability for mapping. I also saw the Etrex Vista cx and wondered how much better the colour screen is and the other features it has. The other thing I wondered about is if anyone has an idea where I can go for a good deal, l am located in Adelaide, but it looks like the best deals are on the web so if anyone has any information that would be great.

Looking forward to finding more caches. MODU
Both Garmin and Magellan have inflated retail prices for Australia, so buy from the US and save heaps. The best deals are on eBay, make sure you search for US sellers.

Why do you need the altimeter? A GPS will tell you your altitude anyway as long as you have enough satellites in lock.

EcoDave :)

MODUtoo

Buying a GPS

Post by MODUtoo » 04 November 06 8:23 pm

Thanks Guys, I sent CartoGraphics an email after I saw their name in another post, so hopefully he comes back with some good prices. By the way how long does it take the administrator to authorise your user in here, I registered last Thursday and I want to log our finds but cant get in yet.

The altimeter is for when I go cycling, I want to track the altitude to see how much climbing I am doing.... ok so its a toy but I ride up what I think is a big hill, and I want to be able to log the mountain bike tracks we ride on.

MODU

User avatar
caughtatwork
Posts: 17015
Joined: 17 May 04 12:11 pm
Location: Melbourne
Contact:

Re: Buying a GPS

Post by caughtatwork » 04 November 06 10:21 pm

MODUtoo wrote:Thanks Guys, I sent CartoGraphics an email after I saw their name in another post, so hopefully he comes back with some good prices. By the way how long does it take the administrator to authorise your user in here, I registered last Thursday and I want to log our finds but cant get in yet.

The altimeter is for when I go cycling, I want to track the altitude to see how much climbing I am doing.... ok so its a toy but I ride up what I think is a big hill, and I want to be able to log the mountain bike tracks we ride on.

MODU
What username did you register under?

We had a major software release on Thursday / Friday, so he who approves users is probably finger sore from fixing bugs :-)

MODUtoo

Buying a GPS

Post by MODUtoo » 04 November 06 11:13 pm

Registered as MODU, but couldnt actually post under that name cos someone has it....... me! Only trouble is I cant log in as MODU cos I have not been approved! Oh well, no probs I am sure it will happen sometime. I will check back through the week.
MODU :)

User avatar
caughtatwork
Posts: 17015
Joined: 17 May 04 12:11 pm
Location: Melbourne
Contact:

Post by caughtatwork » 04 November 06 11:32 pm

You should be active now.

User avatar
MODU
1100 or more caches found
1100 or more caches found
Posts: 14
Joined: 02 November 06 9:54 pm
Location: Golden Grove,SA

Post by MODU » 05 November 06 12:35 am

Thanks caughtatwork I am in now
MODU

User avatar
EcoTeam
200 or more found
200 or more found
Posts: 1267
Joined: 03 April 03 7:57 pm
Twitter: EEVblog
Location: Crestwood, NSW
Contact:

Re: Buying a GPS

Post by EcoTeam » 05 November 06 4:20 pm

MODUtoo wrote:Thanks Guys, I sent CartoGraphics an email after I saw their name in another post, so hopefully he comes back with some good prices. By the way how long does it take the administrator to authorise your user in here, I registered last Thursday and I want to log our finds but cant get in yet.

The altimeter is for when I go cycling, I want to track the altitude to see how much climbing I am doing.... ok so its a toy but I ride up what I think is a big hill, and I want to be able to log the mountain bike tracks we ride on.
MODU
My eTrex 101 and yellow eTrex can't log the altitude, but the 101 can tell me the altitude and rate of climb. Be careful with this, just because a GPS has a real pressure altimiter in it does not mean you can log the altitude as part of your track data.

EcoDave :)

JackHenry
400 or more spectacular views seen
400 or more spectacular views seen
Posts: 222
Joined: 10 February 06 4:44 pm
Location: Littlehampton

Post by JackHenry » 05 November 06 8:25 pm

Be aware that any 'pressure' based altimeter is only accurate if it is set to a known altitude or pressure. One of the things that a pilot does before takeoff is set the altimeter to a known pressure or altitude. Unless you do this (every few hours) your reading will be incorrect. If you sit at the beach and set your altimeter to zero feet (sea level) and the pressure drops by 1 millibar, the altimeter will read 120 feet higher than before. For every millibar in pressure change the altitude changes by 120 feet. An altimeter is basically a barometer that is calibrated in height rather than pressure. As the pressure changes, so does the reading. For a consistantly accurate (within reason) altitude, you are probably better of with a calculated altitude.

User avatar
Dik:
500 or more caches logged
500 or more caches logged
Posts: 370
Joined: 22 May 06 6:56 pm
Location: Adelaide SA Garmin 60CSx

Post by Dik: » 06 November 06 5:44 pm

My eyesight isn't what it used to be and the colour really helps.

Take a look at the 60CSx too. I started looking at the Vista, but the 60CSx is just soooooo much better. (and so much more expensive).

The Vista CSx and 60 CSx look the same on paper but the actual units are chalk and cheese.

The x is for expandable and lets you add a memory card which is really good for mapping if you travel. I have 512MB in mine and got City Navigator, Tracks4Australia and 1:250000 countours for all Australia on it.

The guys at Electric Bug price matched interstate prices for me.

User avatar
Map Monkey
1050 or more caches found
1050 or more caches found
Posts: 2214
Joined: 08 April 04 3:06 pm
Location: Banana Republic
Contact:

Post by Map Monkey » 06 November 06 6:03 pm

Dik: wrote:The Vista CSx and 60 CSx look the same on paper but the actual units are chalk and cheese.
Actually on paper, amongst other minor differences (# of WPs etc) the Vista Cx (the Vista is a "S' model by its very nature) does not contain the SiRFIII chipset that the 60CSx has.....neither does it in actual life :P

mm

User avatar
MODU
1100 or more caches found
1100 or more caches found
Posts: 14
Joined: 02 November 06 9:54 pm
Location: Golden Grove,SA

Post by MODU » 07 November 06 9:53 pm

Thanks guys, but I think the 60CSx is just a little out of the price range, I think I might have to work overtime for another month to get that one. I hope they dont show me one in the shop when I go looking I might upgrade my expectations on impulse.

Post Reply