onetonnesam
Date Registered: 05-2004
Location: Redfern, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 70
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Re: Global Positioning System
The Explorist is the base model. Has a compass, speedometer, odometer, a handy backtrack feature and store multiple routes (e.g. I saved the track to Stockton and also to Newnes for future reference. marking significant positions as waypoints).
I'm a novice when it come to GPS but I found it intuitive to use - perhaps due to its limited features (but they work well!).
It's a case of you get what you pay for. This is absolutely the bottom of the range -- requires 4 AA batteries to operate - no car charger option available. The batteries last less than 12 hours - this is my major gripe. You can't download coordinates via PC - no feature for a cable linkage - Peter sent me a link to a site with all the waypoints in a downloadable file, alas, there's no way I'm gonna punch in all those numbers using the joypad! Would have been very painful indeed!
However, it does come in very handy when you just want to backtrack on the route you've just taken, the GPS coords become very handy for orienteering (when you are following the Boiling Billy Book around the Watagan track and the book says that there is a sign there but there isn't and the forest just looks the same) - you enter given waypoints so that you can see where you are relative to that spot).
I think it was primarily devised for bushwalkers - an optional accessory allows you to stick it on a mountain bike - I think it was the novelty factor but used it when riding the Oaks Trail in the Blue Mountains - didn't really need it except to determine the altitude and speed (650 meter descent over 26 km and clocked a max speed of 44 kph). Find it handy when I am going somewhere armed with a good map (got some good topo maps from The Map Shop on Pitt St).
I reckon a dude like you might get it and want to upgrade straight away - I reckon I will be.
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15/Mar/2005, 5:53 pm
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Global Positioning System
Peter is noticeably missing from this thread
I'm sure he will be able to tell about the latest toy he has acquired
It's the GARMIN Quest
He showed me the unit and we went for a drive and I found it be excellent. If am gonna think of buying a GPS unit, this one will be my 1st choice.
HERE is the old GPS thread Rich.
Last edited by jalalski, 27/Oct/2006, 1:55 pm
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15/Mar/2005, 6:45 pm
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