anyone here know anything about gps?

scoop: a keen x-mas gift for the parents, but the research i've done has lead only to more questions than answers and the guy working behind the counter doesn't seem to know much of anything.
bottom line is i'm looking for a hand held non-colour gps with all the crap i can get on it for under or around 300$. anyone have any suggestions/thoughts based on experience? this thing is also not likely to be used in the car, it'll be for hiking and biking information gathering.

thanks guys!

I was one of the Electronics Technicians (USCG) that helped install all of the inter-continental DGPS sites. Coordinated and supervised the ComSta New Orleans DGPS site installation as an E-4! (The New Orleans channel is one of the most heavily traversed and relied upon channel in the U.S. )

....but no, I don't know a damn thing about GPS recievers.

na, if you're looking for handhelds I'd probably go with a Garmin. It's what e'body else buys and they've been doing it the longest probably. That's what we used 6+ years ago as one of many ways of testing the integrity of site transmission.

I'm only the most familiar with Trimble and Ashtech as they were the two transciever type units we used the most. But since you're budget is $300 and not $30,000, I'd probably go with Garmin.

GPS can be quite challenging for people that don't study up on them. Are your parents 'computer literate'? GPS devices aren't really that hard to understand unless you are from a different generation and somewhat technologically 'challenged'. The GPS units used for automobile applications are much more user friendly for people that have never used them.

With that said, I have a Magellan Sport Trak that has worked pretty well. Not the most user friendly, but reliable, accurate and cheap. Would probably do the trick perfectly for their application. (Hiking, etc.)

My grandmother bought a new Sony big screen tv, DVD player, blah blah blah. She calls me twice a week telling me her tv is broken. For some reason she doesn't quite grasp the idea of all of the 7 inputs the tv has and the fact that you have to hit a corresponding button first, then tell it what you want it to do.(tv/cable, dvd, etc.)

Get a Garmin. They are great and their customer service is pretty good.
They are user friendly and performance is awesome.
I used to install them in boats, and very few customers ever complained about them. Can not say the same about other brands, specially Magellan.
JT

One of the guys on my local ducati club uses it a lot, especially for riding. He's on this list too, send him an PM or whatever it's called. I used to work for an outdoor retailer and Garmin seemed like the best that was out there and somewhat reasonable.

Anyway, give him a shout he might be able to help you: edwyun

Irene

Thanks a bunch guys, helpful as always.

Sent a i/pm to edwyun hope he has some info.

Parents are actually pretty compentent on the computer, so i'm not too worried about that. Garmin, i've never heard of, Magellan is the one that everyone seems to stock, i think i'll have a look see around the web this aft.

as for big screen tv's, the 13" ive got with the rabbit ears is about as much as i can stand. if its not snowing here outside, i can always turn the tv on

thanks again folks!

g.

Most GPS units have way more functions and features than the average user will ever know about. Do your research on what the GPS you are looking at offers and what it is compatible with for maps, etc.

Garmin gets my vote. I have had great luck with their GNS530/GNS430 combination stack in a Cessna T303. I have also used their handheld units on the boat and in the car. Very easy to use.

Gtoast:

I use a Garmin GPSMAP 276C right now on my duc. It's great! based on Long Distance riders on the BMW touring and adventure list (and my own experience), it's perhaps the best GPS unit on the market for MC applications. Also good for handheld use.

1. fast processor (to update the map in real time).
2. currently the largest color screen with the highest resolution (was the most important issue for me - to be able to see all the info while riding).
3. intuitive controls/layout/information that can be customized.
4. voice commands!
5. lithium ion power for about 6-8 hours per battery (has 12V wiring capability too) and prevents problems with vibrations.
6. expandable memory to 256MB (to save detailed map data), though uses Garmin proprietary memory instead of CF or SD memory.
7. water resistant.
8. downside is that garmin's mapping software for the PC (to upload/download waypoints, routes, tracks, etc...) is a bit hard to use.

The 276C only comes with a basemap (very basic map) of the US. You need to buy specific map details/areas or the entire US, Eurpoe, etc., separately, which can be costly, to autoroute (be able to create a route on the PC, upload to the GPS unit, and have the GPS unit give turn by turn directions).

Here's a pic on my bike:



HOWEVER, based on the factors listed in your original post, you may want to look at the Garmin 60C/60CS. It is more designed for hiking & in cars. It doesn't have expandable memory (for those long trips) but has a great color screen (same technology as the 276C but smaller size) and comes with the detailed GPS maps. I don't think it has voiceprompts which you really need for car applications. Check out garmin.com

Thanks for the segway, Irene!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by edwyun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
HOWEVER, based on the factors listed in your original post, you may want to look at the Garmin 60C/60CS. It is more designed for hiking & in cars. It doesn't have expandable memory (for those long trips) but has a great color screen (same technology as the 276C but smaller size) and comes with the detailed GPS maps. I don't think it has voiceprompts which you really need for car applications. Check out garmin.com

</TD></TR></TABLE>

ha ha!!! ordered the garmin 60cs on friday, should be here in time for xmas.
shopping allowed me to recall the irritation i had when i was originally shopping for these things: dropping waypoints. gps tracking, but for the 200$ you DON'T get a compass, or altimeter. So got the whole bag (I think) and its got all the features my mom will need, and my dad loves the gadgets so it'll keep them both busy...
now they just need a cell phone.
tanks folks, happy holidays!

SO I guess I'm one of the few here who still use maps.

Hey Edward! I knew you had one and loved it! I bought one a long time ago and gave it away. No need for it. Now I would LOVE one in the car. I tend to take 'shortcuts' all the time to avoid traffic.... It's hard to drive and read a map at the same time!

Irene

PS happy holidays to all!

I seem to find the best roads, bars (start music from "Deliverence" now), and people when I'm lost!

H8

You got a mighty purty mouth

well, i'd say i did good. folks spent about 6 hours playing with it on xmas day. dad went out, did some walking, laid some waypoints...and got lost.
practice makes perfect

He will get used to it. Give him a couple of weeks and he will be thanking you big time. Practice practice!!!

Once he gets into it, you may want to turn him onto the global games out there for GPS. I forgot the name of it, maybe someone can chime in here that knows. It is the ultimate Easter Egg hunt for GPS. People actually travel the world to find the different checkpoints and sign in when they find it. If nobody chimes in and you are interested, I can ask my ex-brother-in-law who was telling me about it. He and his buddies (air traffic controllers) have done it before.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CaliDuc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...global games out there for GPS. I forgot the name of it, maybe someone can chime in here that knows. It is the ultimate Easter Egg hunt for GPS....</TD></TR></TABLE>

that may be of interest to them...they usually take 2-3 weeks per year to cycle in europe, south america etc. another thing to pass the time!
thanks

gtoast:
Here is the website: http://www.geocaching.com/ Have them check it out. It should give them PLENTY of practice with their new toy, both locally and abroad.

I love mine. They make life easier especially if you have a good mapping program on your PC or Laptop