ATVOBSESSION

roon101 wrote:i wanna do geoing but i need to learn to use the dam gps first lol i am workin on it but i am gadget stupid on some of that stuff lol.

The hard part (to me) is the different coordinate systems. Depending on what you're using, the format varies. There are a lot of tools online to help you convert, and many applications will let you enter in different formats.

Ask questions here - someone can help you out!!

Dave

im scared to start this i have enough hobbies that take up my time... but it looks like fun.. i bring a gps on rides and i dont think ive ever turned it on. I carry since it has radio as well and i can hook it up to mu cig lighter on the atv.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CDEQ8wIwAQ#

the screen is to small to use when riding i mounted it on my handelbars but never could use it.. i think a 5 inch screen is needed i want to glance at it not stop and look.

There are some good reasons to carry a GPS and keep it on. I'm not sure what the Rino offers in terms of computer connection.

The trick is to get a GPS that can upload and download waypoints and tracks. For me, the track thing is a lot of fun - and essential - in exploring. Looking at tracks later on a topo map or Google Earth is nice - I can really see where I've been in relation to the topography or places of interested. Likewise - marking points of interest in the map and uploading them to the GPS so you can "go to" them is great. Ditto in just marking waypoints (saving a location) along the way that you want to remember later - I save every trip and have files back to when I started riding.

As to navigating using a map - Ken's is probably the coolest (he'll have to chime in with what he's got) in terms of a big screen. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx and despite the small screen, it's plenty usable for navigating - because you don't necessarily have to see a big map to do it. It's a matter of learning how to navigate using the "instruments" (the arrows, compass dials, the indicators that tell you where you are in relation to your desired route or destination) if you want, or you can just freestyle it and let the GPS always point to your destination regardless of roads curving etc.

Another great feature to use is "bread crumbs" - using your saved track to "backtrack". A couple of times I've been on big broad open areas (or that granite area we rode near Mossy Pond is another good example) where you aren't on a clearly indicated trail and zooming in on the display and following the line of tracks you laid down will get you back to where you wanted to be.

It's good if you carry it, but better if you know how to use it. I found this in a couple of ways because it was out there riding but didn't have the manual, and heck if I could figure it out. Fellow users (e.g.; GrizzlyGuy) have turned me on to easier ways to do things (like make the saved track big enough to see on that small screen).

Eric is the gps master. I use the Explorist XL gps. It's older, but has a big color screen.

I always bring it and always have it on. Fun to hit gpsvisualizer and google earth.

well i did a x-mas gift to my quad:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Oregon-450 ... 442&sr=8-1

so these units do a new feature that sold me, im hoping for exploring baja it will come in very handy. (sat pic's on handheld gps)
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=70144


i almost did the GPSMAP 60CSx but the bigger screen / touch screen won out for me.

Ken wrote: Fun to hit gpsvisualizer and google earth.

hmm... maybe i bought to fast ... you can have google earth images on yours overlayed with like road / topo / maps?

Your mileage may vary, but I like the topo on that unit! I don't think Google Earth is all that useful for navigating. That's a great looking device.

I geocache and also have the Garmin 60csx I have it on and mounted when I ride and it is nice to see where you were and also how to return if you do get lost. I always download the tracks so I know where I have been in researching new places to go.

i got mine not so much as to see where i have gone, but so i can map a track ahead of time and try and follow it, more for Baja for following wash'es, and areas im trying to connect. Dont get me wrong i also would love to see where ive been and be able to back track. and.. try my hand at geocaching but im not sure ill have the patience for it.


the 60csx listed a battery life of 18 hours vs the 550 of 16, some im going with 12 and 10 for real life. Is that about what you guys are getting for battery life?

1- No I don't overlay Google Earth on the GPS. I overlay my tracks on Google Earth when I get home. Go to my trails page http://www.atvobsession.com/trails.html, and particularly Moab you'll see what I've done.

2) IMO, the best maps for a GPS are the National Geographic Topo maps.

3) I plug mine in, and use battery for back up.

Mr. Green wrote:the 60csx listed a battery life of 18 hours vs the 550 of 16, some im going with 12 and 10 for real life. Is that about what you guys are getting for battery life?

I think the 60CSx is closer to 15 hours, but estimating 12 hours wouldn't hurt at all.

I hard wired mine too on the quad and now on the scooter. Make sure it's not a keyed hot. Otherwise everytime you turn the bike on you have to remember to turn the GPS back on.

My 60csx is hardwired also, but my bigger fear was running down the battery. So, it's on a keyed hot, but I set the GPS to just ignore the loss of 12v (when I stop) and stay on (using the AA batteries). I always carry a spare set of AAs just in case too...

Yeah, I know, it doesn't draw that much, but I always worry about the long walk out...

I too have a 60csx. I use Energizer Lithium batteries and always keep two extra sets on me. I also use the power charger, but with my riding, it usually wiggles out of the socket or comes loose, so I mainly defer to battery power.

The Lithium batteries last for days...

hemingray wrote:I set the GPS to just ignore the loss of 12v (when I stop) and stay on (using the AA batteries).

That's even better. I did not know you could do that.