GPS units

[Zukin]

After reading the thread about the ADV routes site, I am curious to see how many of you actually own these little gadgets?

[clintnz]

I inherited an old Trimble Scoutmaster, very big & basic compared to todays units, but in it's day it was the only GPS that could use NZMG coordinates, it cost the old man $1800 IIRC, probably in about 1994. I've used it for tramping & I plug it in to the laptop for 4x4ing.

Up til now I haven't bothered with it on the bike, printouts of topomaps usually suffice, but I'm thinking of getting a Garmin 60C for the mapping capabilty & to use the routing when we visit Oz.

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

I don't own one yet but I'm working on it. Gunning for a Legend HCx.

Then again you knew all this already

Cheers R

P.S. You dont need to have a GPS to make use the ADVroutes site. The initial plan was just to show the location of routes for those who dont know (got sick of repeating myself to all the north island adv riders wanting to know where some good routes are). The gpx files were brought into it later as it was found that they were one of the easest ways map the data and they can be used with a GPSr.

[Qkchk]

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I don't own one yet but I'm working on it. Gunning for a Legend HCx.

Was looking to buy a Garmin Zumo but then again it aint much use over Doc/Farmland is it? What would you recommend the best for adventure riding? Keeping in mind I still want street mapping anf if I can do freebie downloads of the net is a bonus..........

[Zukin]

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Was looking to buy a Garmin Zumo but then again it aint much use over Doc/Farmland is it? What would you recommend the best for adventure riding? Keeping in mind I still want street mapping anf if I can do freebie downloads of the net is a bonus..........

Hi there

I would suggest the Garmin 60CX or 60CSX
They are very similar, the 60CSX has an electronic compass and this will allow you to use it when you are standing still.
They are often cheaper on TM too

Here is a comparison between them

They will all do the street mapping and they will all take the free downloads

I have has the Legend before and I found they don't work quite so well under trees and in gorges like the 60 CSX

Cheers

[blackballs]

Garmin 60 csx / cx for me I think.

maps like these would be great
http://www.maptoaster.com/maptoaster-topo-nz/index.html

[cooneyr]

Originally Posted by Zukin

........I have has the Legend before and I found they don't work quite so well under trees and in gorges like the 60 CSX

Cheers

Not so any more - the new H series etrex (high sensitivity) are argued to have even better reception under trees than the 60 series. They also have less wander when stationary. There are a number of aspects where the Legend HCx is better than the 60Cx. The 60Cx has the Garmin waterproof plug, the external antenna socket and a slightly bigger screen as the key "benefits" over the Legend HCX.

Originally Posted by blackballs

Garmin 60 csx / cx for me I think.

maps like these would be great
http://www.maptoaster.com/maptoaster-topo-nz/index.html

Map toaster and GT maps are very similar (have seen them both on a GPS) only the colour schemes are very very slightly different. GTmaps are $150 for NZ and map toaster $225. Takes your pic

http://www.gtmaps.co.nz/

Cheers R

[Zukin]

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Not so any more - the new H series etrex (high sensitivity) are argued to have even better reception under trees than the 60 series. They also have less wander when stationary. There are a number of aspects where the Legend HCx is better than the 60Cx. The 60Cx has the Garmin waterproof plug, the external antenna socket and a slightly bigger screen as the key "benefits" over the Legend HCX.



Map toaster and GT maps are very similar (have seen them both on a GPS) only the colour schemes are very very slightly different. GTmaps are $150 for NZ and map toaster $225. Takes your pic

http://www.gtmaps.co.nz/

Cheers R

I got the Maptoater maps for my GPS for free

They are brilliant

They work in conjuction with the NZ open maps (auto routing) which is great :)

[blackballs]

[quote=Zukin]I got the Maptoater maps for my GPS for free

It' nice to have a win now and again

[warewolf]

Don't have one personally, no short-term plans to get one. I'm no luddite, I see the advantages in many situations, but I really don't need another reason to sit in front of the computer and/or surround myself with electronica.

Part of the reason I ride bikes is to free my mind from all such thoughts. If I take a wrong turn, I usually find somewhere neat that I haven't been before, or never would've planned to go to.

I've used one out bush quite a bit, I find that the more attention you spend on the GPS, the less you spend taking in your surroundings, both in terms of navigating and the vibe of the place. But since I spent most of my school years competitively orienteering, I'm pretty handy with a map.

[cooneyr]

Only reason I have for having one is to record data for my web site and as nice way of carrying around topomaps (and it is cheaper than the SI's collection of 260 series topos). The fact that it is plotting my location on the topo map is a nicety

Cheers R

[motu]

I'll wait until the downturn starts to bite a bit harder,then I'll see if I can pick one up cheap from a former rich kid who needs to unload some toys.Where the fuck am I is half the fun.

[Batman640]

I have a Garmin 60c. I use it on my boat and bike.
Had problems with vibration turning it off, so purchased a power cord and holder from Touratec so no problems now. Use it most of the time while riding any distance, don't use it commuting.

[upshift]

Originally Posted by Zukin

After reading the thread about the ADV routes site, I am curious to see how many of you actually own these little gadgets?

Well of course I have one, how the heck would I find Lawrence Hut without it

OK, I have a 60CSx and there is simply nothing better for my combined use of bike, car, tramping and geocaching. Love the magnetic compass, rubbished by a lot of people and probably little value on a bike but great when on foot.
Sensitivity is superb (even works in an aisle seat of a Boeing 737) and never let me down. Agree about the H series Etrex sensitivity, as good if not better and less wander when stationary but unlikely to be a decider for a bike.

Zumo definitely on the wish list for the bike when I get rich, same SIRF3 chipset and hence sensitivity as 60CSX. For a bike (but also good in the car) this is the best without a doubt.

If you only want to navigate then yes a paper map will do, but when you also want to know where the nearest petrol station, ATM, food outlet etc is then the POI's in a GPS are pretty handy and have certainly saved me from a lot of grief in the past.

[TransalperNZ]

I got the Ledgend HXc based on cooneyrs research and the price options from our chosen supplier... no I don't like Trademe, we chose a local guy kiwigps who spent a fair bit of time with us giving a hands on demo and answering questions.
Looked at the Vista HXc and the 60csx but decided to go with the cheaper one as the only advantages of the others for me were possibly the keys on the 60csx and stationary compass but those features weren't worth the extra to me.
Have not needed the compass yet, on the bike it always know which way it's going.
Haven't gone geocaching yet either but can always have a pocket compass if I find I need one then.

Got to say I'm fast becoming addicted to playing with it at home and in the field whether it's creating and following routes or mapping tracks off the beaten path.
It's a great way to combine my two favourite hobbies... motorcycling on/off road and computers (and anything you can plug in to them)