Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: GPS :: GPS poll
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ZaraSp00k |
but I've never had an incident with a map either even ones that got wet were still usable I prefer maps because I can see more on a map, print them out exactly as I need per trip and where I travel the maps I print are the same info the GPS will display,so there really isn't an advantage to the GPS other than it pinpoints where I am |
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Marten |
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butthead |
My firm belief is naysayers have no GPS experience. First unit I used was a Garmin GPS12, bought in the 90's. One is always in my pack, hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. Even used to keep track of parking locations in places like EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh. Never had a failure. Knowledge and experiance alow the user to consider power supply, how many batteries will be needed, and secure mounting/attachmens are simple. Odd how many fishlocator users bemoan the use of GPS/Spot/PLB units. Said all along they are not necessary, but a great piece of gear to add to basic navigation stuff. Some just like to fault things they do not use or understand. butthead |
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schweady |
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Northwoodsman |
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Savage Voyageur |
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dentondoc |
The next day, we set out in search of the "hidden" lake and soon found the trail marked on the map that should lead us to this "promised land." Unfortunately, after an hour or so, the trail disappeared under a scree field and a collection of other debris. Determined to continue on our quest, we decided to climb around the obstruction in hopes of finding the trail on the other side. So after another hour of scrambling and climbing, we did cross another trail. Elated at our good fortune, we merrily strode down this new trail, any time expecting this magical lake to appear around the next bend. Well, it is a good this we were traveling at a controlled rate of speed because about 20 minutes down the trail, we abruptly found ourselves at a dead stop on a ledge. Peering over the edge, it appeared to be about a 1500 foot drop to the bottom. We did backtrack to see if we could discover the whereabouts of said lake, but never found what was ultimately labeled "Phantom Lake." From that time forward, I've traveled with a GPS ... starting with the Garmin 12. Since I started using a GPS, if there was something on the map I wanted to get to, I have always be able to find it. But to answer the questions you posed ... no, I've never had any of the issues listed. The only "failures" I've experienced were not the fault of the GPS. They were produced by heavy canopy cover and/or my presence in slot canyons. dd p.s. To give you some idea of how rugged the country is around "Phantom Lake," the Air Force lost an A10-Thunderbolt (Warthog) in the area about 6 months after I was there. It took them 3 weeks using all of the aerial technology available at that time and a coordinated ground search to find the wreckage. It was ultimately found near Gold Dust Peak. |
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MagicPaddler |
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ZaraSp00k |
quote Marten: "I Had to chuckle when Zara wrote that the only advantage of a gps is that it pin points your location!!" because a map will do it too? seriously, knowledge of the movement of the sun & moon, location of stars, knowing how to use a map with compass, or even a map by itself can pinpoint your location. it is just that for most people, a GPS will do it quicker and with less error, which is what I meant. but happy I made you chuckle |
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schweady |
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Wally13 |
I bought a Etrex many moons ago and 3 years ago I updated to a Garmin Montana. The upgrade is like going from a Volkswagen to a Cadillac. Butthead helped me with some mapping installations when we were at Canoecopi. Couldn't be happier. |
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ZaraSp00k |
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schweady |
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Savage Voyageur |
1) run out of power or no extra batteries? 2) broke, cracked screen, or button, lost pixels, unreadable? 3) stopped working, crashed? 4) lost, set down and left behind? 5) dumped over the side of a boat/canoe? 6) dog ate it? :) |
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mirth |
1 ancient garmin that was only good for confirming map location & nothing else. No problems with this unit. 1 etrex legend ( I think? ) which the navigational joystick developed an issue during the trip. Was able to work around it, but panning on the map was useless. Could only zoom in/out. 1 etrex vista hcx which replaced the legend. Used for 6 years including this August in the BWCA. Lost somewhere between the southernmost landing on Saganaga and my house in NE IL. The rubber wrap was starting to feel loose & unglued. 1 etrex 30x which replaced the vista. So far so good. Lithium batteries are awesome and I usually have a set last an entire week's trip of having the unit on during the day while traveling to keep a log. |