GPS Options/ opinions

[GoldenOscar]

Does anybody have any comments on the Magellan Explorist 350H? Looks pretty decent for the price. I was also curious I see a lot of folks love the Garmin 62 but what about the new 64s?.......Is the GLONASS really worth the extra $$? 

I don't Geocache, just looking for an easy to use GPS with decent maps for WA, and upgradeable if I hunt other states.

Currently using a DeLorme PN-20 which has been very good but I do have troubles getting it to find satellites at times.

Thanks

[CAMPMEAT]

I'll bet 100% of the comments, will be to buy a Garmin for the fact, that just about all maps are geared towards them.

[GoldenOscar]

So far you are correct, I would have figured more folks would have GPS opinions good & bad both.

[rover758]

GLONASS?  Not unless you plan on traveling to Russia.  (Cut and pasted from the net)

GLONASS (Russian: ГЛОНАСС, IPA: [ɡlɐˈnas]; Глобальная навигационная спутниковая система), acronym for "Globalnaya navigatsionnaya sputnikovaya sistema" or "Global Navigation Satellite System", is a space-based satellite navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. It provides an alternative to Global Positioning System (GPS) and is the only alternative navigational system in operation with global coverage and of comparable precision.

The 350H says accurate to 3 to 9 meters?  My Garmin eTrex is WAAS enabled and accurate to 3 feet.  The plus of the 350 is preloaded topo maps where I had to spend an extra $100ish for the SD card to get my topos.  So, my
$200 unit really cost $300.  (BTW:  WAAS is a system of ground stations that enhances the GPS signal to make it more accurate.  GPS by itself is accurate to 3 to 9 meters.  I would not buy any unit that wasn't WAAS enabled.)  Not sure how many satellites the Magellan queries at a time - if it's only 3 it's pretty weak.  Loose one and you're at the 9 meter accuracy or you only have longitudinal accuracy and no cross accuracy.  I looked at two sites for the 350 and neither said how many satellites it queries at a time.  I watch my eTrex boot up and it's pulling 4 and 5 satellites at a time.  If one drops off it pulls more.  Okay ... obviously I like my eTrex. 

Good luck on whatever you decide on. 

[Bob33]

The 350H says accurate to 3 to 9 meters?  My Garmin eTrex is WAAS enabled and accurate to 3 feet.

I'm a Garmin fan, but the best accuracy Garmin states with WAAS is 3 meters, not 3 feet. And that's optimistic under optimal conditions.

http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html

"You've heard the term WAAS, seen it on packaging and ads for Garmin products, and maybe even know it stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. So what is it?

Basically, it's a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy.

How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than 3 m, 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to use WAAS."

[rover758]

My bad Bob ... you are correct.  I was thinking in terms of LAAS versus WAAS and I know them very intimately.  (You're not "Bob" I work with are you designing WAAS approach procedures?  LOL)  For inquiring minds that may want to read more detailed information about WAAS you can follow the link below.  I'll have to take a gander at the link you provided and see what they have to say.  At any rate ... I still like my eTrex.

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/waas/

[Bob33]

Thanks for the additional info. Unless you're surveying, I believe that modern GPS units are more than accurate enough for outdoor recreation.  If you're within 10 feet of your camp and you still can't find it, the GPS isn't at fault.

I've never had a problem with Garmins, and I've running them for 20 years.

[GoldenOscar]

Thanks Rover and Bob,

Rover....The GLONASS is the Russian satellites they put in orbit but some of the new GPS's such as the Garmin 64s can actually pick them up...so they use our Satellites and theirs which doubles up odds of getting connection......Most handhelds need I believe 3 satellites to get a fix, I did a little surveying years back and we had to check time of day ect to see where they were in orbit so we could get accurate enough...... I do know the newer units seem to find the satellites a lot faster than my old handheld.

Bob, thank you I will double check on the WAAS capable receiver I could see how this would make all the difference.

Cost of maps is also something to look at, I just bought a new unit for my boat and those C Maps are ridiculous expensive..

Thanks for the help guys   

[Bmcox86]

A garmin 62 series is really the best way to go in my opinion. I've had mine in some real thick cover and never lost signal. Maps are easy to come buy and the software is easy to use on your computer if you drop a bunch of waypoints and want to make a trail or name them and what knot. You can find one on sale these days around $200, cheaper if you look around. They last about 36-48 hours on two double As if you leave it on, which is fantastic and there pretty accurate. Any gps is going to get you in the ball park, I think within 3 yards if you have all satellites everything is perfect. Probably within 10 yards most of the time. I use DGPS at work which using towers on land to get better accuracy and most of the time still only get within 3 to .5 yds.

Hope that helps

[bobcat]

WASS is for airplanes and does not really benefit us recreational GPS users, in my experience. It's pretty much a non-issue as to whether a GPS unit has that capability or not,

[GoldenOscar]

Bmcox86.......the Garmin 62 reviews are fantastic from what I have been seeing online, I think that's the way I am going to go.

Thanks for clarifying the WASS Bob, saved me some research time.