Outdoor Quest: Buying A Used GPS Receiver

Outdoor Quest: Buying A Used GPS Receiver: I have never been a proponent of buying used electronics.  This is especially true for remanufactured electronics.  I have seen many use...

Buying A Used GPS Receiver

I have never been a proponent of buying used electronics.  This is especially true for remanufactured electronics.  I have seen many used or remanufactured receivers fail during classes that I teach.

Used receivers in thrift stores, estate sales and auctions are generally overpriced and significantly outdated; overvalued and obsolete.

In the last 18 months my opinion has changed a bit.  I purchased a remanufactured Garmin Nuvi GPS for my car.  It has worked like a champ.  It’s been used on multiple trips and has not let me down.

I recently purchased a used Garmin eTrek Vista Cx.  This model retailed for over $300 when it was first introduced, can be found on www.amazon.com  around for $120 today. I recently found one at a swap meet for $35.00; it was in fine condition.  All this receiver needed was a new Micro SD card for a current map package.

If the hiker is in need of a back-up receiver here is what I would suggest:

·       Keep an eye on the blog www.gpstracklog.com.  The blogger keeps an up to date site on what is happening in the world of GPS receivers.

·      Identify what models are of interest and then visit Ebay, Amazon and WalMart.com to get a price baseline.

·         Get a relatively current model.  For example, Garmin models such as the 60 or eTrek series should have the following nomenclature next to the model name such as H, or HCx (Garmin GPSmap60CX.)

·      A receiver is in reality a hi-tech piece of equipment.  If the viewing screen is badly scratched or the case is cracked or showing signs of rough wear walk away from it.

·     Never buy a receiver without a demonstration.  Take some AA batteries with you when you go shopping.

·     The receiver should track satellites within a few minutes of being turned on and should be locked on, ready to navigate in 4-6 minutes (ball park estimate.)

·      Determine how much mapping capability it has.  For example, my old Garmin GPSmap60 receiver had the capability to store 100 mega bites of data which approximated to about half of the state of Oregon.  Receivers with micro SD cards offer more capability.

·       Retain all paper work and warranty info supporting remanufactured product.

Navigation in Darkness

Check out my latest post now published at www.seattlebackpackersmagazine.com.

Navigation in darkness and reduced visibility is a serious issue for the hiker. Important geographical and trail features (e.g., mountains, roads, forest, etc.) can be nearly impossible to see. This creates significant loss of geographic reference used during daytime travel. Geographic reference validates the hiker’s map.

Further compounding the nighttime challenge is the physiology of the eye. Our eyes are designed to provide optimal performance during periods of light.

To read the complete post go here.

Lighten Your Pack

I came across the following blog via Section Hiker (thank you Philip).  This is an interesting blog for those that want to reduce the amount of gear and weight they carry into the backcountry.

Go here to check out this blog.

For a nice overview of lightening your pack and a good discussion of the pro's and con's check out Secitonhiker's recent post here.

Cameras In The Backcountry

Here is a fine post on bring your camera and how to support it in the backcountry.  From www.seattlebackpackersmagazine.com

Well, yes! If you want to get the shot, you’re not going to get it with the camera sitting at home. I’ve had my camera smack off rocks, in a pack that fell 30 feet and have been caught in down pours where even I was surprised the camera survived. Here’s a look at whats in my pack every time I go out to shoot. Whether it’s rock climbing, hiking or traveling, I always have these items. Of course, camera and activity-specific gear is dependent on what you’re doing. But bring the camera.

#1 It’s all in the pack

For me anyway… The backpack is the key for easy access. There is nothing worse then trying to get your camera out of a bag that’s inside a pack and under jackets and food. I use the F-stop Loka. The design of F-stop gear is meant for photographers in a host of outdoor activities. Inside the durable pack is the ICU (internal camera unit). It’s a semi-hard box that you arrange to store your camera and glass. This design allows you to store your camera without the worry of having other gear smacking into it while you’re on the move. The ICU has a flap to close over it and is accessible via the back of the pack which un-zips.

To read the rest of the post go here.

SPOT Satellite Messenger - 3000 Rescues

The following post is by the GPS World magazine's staff.

SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc., says its SPOT products have been used to initiate 3,000 rescues around the world since the technology’s launch in 2007. With more than 200,000 SPOT units in service, that averages to one rescue a day. SPOT delivers affordable and reliable satellite-based connectivity and real-time GPS tracking, completely independent of cellular coverage.

To read the rest of the post go here.

GPS Waypoint Management

Before getting too detailed lets understand just what a Waypoint is. With your GPS powered on, the receiver in your hand collects position updates about once a second. When you select "mark", that position information is automatically saved to memory. This data is the latitude/longitude of your position, your coordinates. This position information is automatically tagged with a default number like 001. Managing these tags is what waypoint management is all about.

Lots of things can happen to a Waypoint or data file.  You can put data in. You can take data out.  You can lose it (the GPS breaks or the wrong button entry is selected.)  But be careful, far worse, too much data can make your navigation difficult.

In my land navigation class I stress keeping your navigation simple.  Frequent and simple Waypoint management is essential to GPS use.  When it’s time to return to the truck, it should be obvious what Waypoint to select. 

Dump the junk before the start of a trip.  As you leave the trail head your GPS should have only necessary data saved on your GPS.  That Waypoint for last year's great fishing trip is important but needs to be saved elsewhere.

Start by deleting Waypoints that really are not needed.  Free those data bites to the atmosphere.

To save your “got to have, must save Waypoints:” 

1.        Use Garmin’s “Trip and Waypoint Manager.”  It probably came with your GPS.  It can also be purchased from Garmin for about $30.00; www.garmin.com.  Down load those Waypoints to your PC.

2.        If you don’t have the Garmin program, consider “Easy GPS.”  It is free and available at www.easygps.com.

3.        Log the important data in a notebook.

Electronic storage allows you to save Waypoints and track data (that bread crumb trail on your map screen.)  Further, you can upload old Waypoints another day for a trip to that special fishing spot.  This data can also be down loaded into your friends GPS too.  It can also be uploaded to your new GPS in the future.

Remember though; when you receive or transfer Waypoint data always verify that you have the compatible map datum and coordinate system set on your receiver.

Finally, give important Waypoints a name.  It’s easier to remember a Waypoint named “CAMP” instead of 21 (or was it 25.)

Charging Your GPS Receiver's Batteries

The following post is from a new (new to me) blog - LifeHacker.  Their post is about charging and maintaining the charge in your receiver's batteries.

"There is a lot of confusion surrounding this issue, mostly because lithium-ion batteries are different from older, nickel-based batteries (which suffered from a nasty memory effect not present in lithium-ion batteries). You're right, though—charging them incorrectly can decrease their lifespan. Most lithium batteries should last you a few years, but improper care can decrease that lifespan, meaning that your battery will be unable to hold a charge—or unable to hold as big a charge as it used to—quicker."

To read the complete post go here.

GPS - Returning To A Destination

The hike into the backcountry has come to an end.  Now it’s time to return to the trailhead.  By selecting “Find” or “Where Is” the GPS receiver provides direction to the trailhead.

Before returning, the hiker should review several GPS navigation considerations:

·      

      The Electronic compass:  It must be calibrated after each battery change.  If the hiker doesn’t remember doing this, calibrate the receiver.  Bearing information will be more accurate by several degrees.

 

Figure 1.  GPS Compass display.  The bearing to the destination is 298°.  The hikers heading is about 115°.

·         Distance information:  This data (e.g., 10.2 miles) is line of sight or more commonly, “as a crow flies.” The GPS receiver doesn’t take into account topography and detours that may be needed.  Thus, a distance of 10.2 miles may really be 11.2miles or more at the end of the hike.

·         Bearing: Make sure that bearing information is presented in degrees and not “cardinal letters” such as NNE (North North East).  The hiker’s compass provides direction information in degrees.  When aligned this keeps navigation simple; both compass and GPS complement each other.  Make this change by adjusting the compass setup.  

As shown (figure 2 above), the GPS provides direction (298°) and distance (10.2 miles) to the waypoint.  The direction is the “Bearing” to the waypoint.  The red arrow and digital read out provide the return direction to the waypoint, in this case is 298°. (The red arrow points the hiker to the waypoint.)  As the hiker moves down the trail, expect the receiver to provide continuous updates to the selected destination.  Movement on the will may cause the red arrow to move and the digital information to change too.

Note that the return direction (Bearing) to the original waypoint may very likely be different than the heading as the hiker moves down the trail.  Heading is the hiker’s direction of travel, his path through the backcountry.  In the example (figure 2 above) the heading is 115°; the direction of movement.  Later, as the hiker moves directly to the waypoint, both the bearing and heading may be the same.

·         GPS Map Page: Select the map page.  Use this page to corroborate the electronic compass information.  

In this view, the wide blue line is the GPS track; the hiker’s historical path through the woods.  The exaggerated black triangle points in the direction of travel. (The other red and brown lines are logging roads.)  To obtain this type of presentation the GPS has been left on capturing satellite data during the entire hike.  Using the black triangle, the hiker can follow his movement down the trail to the waypoint destination such as “CAMP” at the bottom right of the screen.

·         Bushwhack:  Occasionally the hiker may elect to bushwhack from a current position to a new destination.  The hiker should consult the map to assess the overall big picture to determine if the route is safe, find and identify natural obstacles and evaluate terrain.

·         Map and Compass:  Don’t leave these important tools stuffed away in the pack.  Practice with them during the hike.  For example, use the map and compass to orient the map to get the general lay of the land.  Use the compass to further evaluate the bearing to a destination.  For example, the GPS’ determines that the bearing to the trailhead is 298°.  Use the compass to sight a bearing of 298° and follow the compass rather than the GPS’ electronic compass.

Navigation is not hard but it takes practice and repetition.  Don’t assume you will have the same visual landmarks on the return trip.  A change in weather (fog and snow) can increase the complexity of your navigation.  Practice and experience significantly helps develop confidence in the hiker’s skill level and equipment.

Survival Items That Every Backpacker Needs

The following post is by Dan Corcorran from www.seattlebackpackersmagazine.com.

You’re heading out for a long weekend backpacking trip. You have food, shelter, water purification, and extra layers. You’re prepared for anything right? But what if you get lost and unexpectedly need to extend your trip? What if you or one of your friends or family get injured and can’t make it back to the trailhead. Ensure your safety – and the safety of the people you’re responsible for – by bringing these 7 survival items every backpacker needs. 

To read the rest of Dan's post go here.

Editorial comment:  Survival item number one on Dan's list is a whistle.  I couldn't agree more.  Old technology that works like a champ.  Of the many rescue missions my SAR teams has had this year several were resolved by whistles.