Power Kite Forum

GPS....? which one...?

cheezycheese - 26-11-2009 at 09:56 AM

OK real quick, which GPS units are you guys using? What do you like/dislike about 'em? Cost?
gonna sneak one on my wish list. i have never used one before, prefer an atlas, but for the buggy....ok :yes: :wee:

acampbell - 26-11-2009 at 11:42 AM

I chose the Garmin E-Trex Legend because it seemed to have the features I wanted at a reasonable. price, just over $100.

Speed, Max Speed, Avg Speed, distance traveled. (I think all have these)

Ability to customize trip computer to display what numbers I wanted displayed. Ability to set for large text/ numbers to easily see them when it is strapped to your down tube. (maybe all have these too?)

VMG, or Velocity Made Good function (that I have never really used after all).

Lots of after market accessories for these, such as different mounting options.

I did not care about car navigation since I know how to read a map.

Funny story. The wife sees the GPS, asks what it is and I tell her it's for the buggy. It takes about a minute then she says "HEY WAIT A MINUTE! You always keep the ocean on one side of you so how can you possibly get lost?!?"
I had to tell her that it's a speedometer.

Maven454 - 26-11-2009 at 11:52 AM

I have the Garmin eTrex H, which is basically the new model of the Legend. It lost the ability for large text, but other than had has all the same abilities and is cheap.

Similar to Angus's wife, I've had a number of people who wanted to know why the heck you'd need GPS on a buggy, since they assume it's for navigation.

ripsessionkites - 26-11-2009 at 01:15 PM

2x Foretrex 101

one strapped to the Downtube and the other of the Rear Axle.

there are some cheaper GPS out there called pods or something but it has no screen and you have to take it to a PC.

for $99.00 you cant go wrong with the eTrex.

cheezycheese - 26-11-2009 at 01:41 PM

i'm pretty sure most of the guys at WW had the E-trex also. I just couldn't remember the name, but as soon as i read it it clicked. :thumbup: thanks guys

BeamerBob - 26-11-2009 at 03:43 PM

I have the Delorme earthmate. I needed one for other functions in addition to buggy duty. It has the ability to download maps and has a color screen with double the resolution of the etrex. If you only want it for the buggy, the etrex is the ticket. I liked the RAM mounting options for the earthmate too. bolted the ram mount right to the downtube and then just snap it in. I would like more ability to customize the info on the display but can see fine if the ride isn't too rough or the sun is shining directly on the screen.

Bladerunner - 26-11-2009 at 05:18 PM

GO Garmin!

Etrex is good and cheapest.

Foretrex 101 is smaller runs on batteries and needs extra cables + software to download.

Foretrex 201 has rechargable batteries and I think comes with download capabilaty?

power - 26-11-2009 at 05:25 PM

So what is the use of a GPS for buggying?

Maven454 - 26-11-2009 at 05:30 PM

Mostly tracking your speed.

Bladerunner - 26-11-2009 at 05:33 PM

Tracking

Top speed. Average speed. Present speed. Distance . Path. Elevation. My location for the ambulance ( I hope not )

It tells me a TON of other stuff . Tides , sunset etc. It keeps me honest. I often think I'm going faster than I'm clocked.

ripsessionkites - 26-11-2009 at 06:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by power
So what is the use of a GPS for buggying?


to determine if you wear pants or a skirt.


a bicycle speedometer will do the same but with the speeds we're reaching these days, accurate display counts.
I have yet to find a glue that will hold the magnet against plastic rims. good thing for SS rims and Disc rims.

Jaymz - 26-11-2009 at 07:06 PM

sing a Garmin eTrex HC for awile now and pleased. A buddy just sent me a link to a good deal on a newer Garmin with tons of features. Check it out...

http://www.rei.com/product/775802

canuck - 26-11-2009 at 07:52 PM

Using a Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. Need the high sensitivity receiver in the mountains. It will also not loose satellite signals while in your pocket (I still have to find a way to strap it to my forearm so that I can watch my speed while snowkiting). It has a slot for a microSD card so you can store your tracks and get access to lots of mapping data (like City Navigator North America - detailed street maps so you can use your GPS for street navigation)

I also have a spare eTrex Legend that I bought at Wal-Mart when they were clearing them out after last Christmas. Anyone interested?

Bill

Bladerunner - 26-11-2009 at 07:57 PM

Yes my Garmin will track inside my top pocket of my ski jacket.

ripsessionkites - 27-11-2009 at 09:12 PM

REI has a sale on the Foretex 301 ... i just bought one

tdmc96 - 28-11-2009 at 11:02 AM

I bought myself a Garmin Foretrex 201 for about 160 Cdn.
I used to have a Garmin etrex but was too bulky and hard to mount.(and it broke on the way back from NABX2009 when it was in my bag)
The 201 is meant to mount on your wrist which is perfect to mount on the axle of the bug.

doublespeed360 - 28-11-2009 at 02:03 PM

cheezy,dan and i use garmin legend,great having a big screen when the eyes go bad.i agree with bladerunner and rip

doublespeed360 - 28-11-2009 at 02:17 PM

right now i think a skirt will just get in the way.you just want to go fast and try to catch up to dan and todd

cheezycheese - 1-12-2009 at 08:02 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions, now lets see if i've been naughty or nice....:smilegrin:

ragden - 1-12-2009 at 11:06 AM

I just use my iphone. Keep it in my pocket. Turn on the GPS Motion X application. It tracks speed, distance covered, max speed, avg speed. And it also allows you to share your tracks, then puts them on a google map display so you can see exactly where you went. Pretty neat and its only about 6 bucks. Course, you have to have an iphone to use it...

Maven454 - 1-12-2009 at 11:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ragden
I just use my iphone. Keep it in my pocket. Turn on the GPS Motion X application. It tracks speed, distance covered, max speed, avg speed. And it also allows you to share your tracks, then puts them on a google map display so you can see exactly where you went. Pretty neat and its only about 6 bucks. Course, you have to have an iphone to use it...


And once in a while it randomly fails you...

ragden - 1-12-2009 at 11:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
Quote:
Originally posted by ragden
I just use my iphone. Keep it in my pocket. Turn on the GPS Motion X application. It tracks speed, distance covered, max speed, avg speed. And it also allows you to share your tracks, then puts them on a google map display so you can see exactly where you went. Pretty neat and its only about 6 bucks. Course, you have to have an iphone to use it...


And once in a while it randomly fails you...


Actually, since the last update, its been working good. :)
Tracks from last saturday:
http://maps.google.com/?t=p&z=15&ll=38.9777908325195...