MnGCA

Buzzygirl

I’ve never owned a GPS receiver that has mapping capabilities before, so pardon if this seems a somewhat ignorant question. I noticed that there is a new cache listed that is located pretty far away from its pseudo-coordinates. I have the real coordinates from solving a puzzle, but I cannot tell where the real coordinates will put me. Will the more-advanced GPSrs have the ability to project any waypoint that you enter and show it on a map?

I assume that's what is meant by "waypoint projection", but since I don’t know their capabilities, I thought I should ask before I go and order one. I have a couple in mind: Garmin GPS Map 60C and the Magellan SporTrak Color. Will these do the trick?

Moe the Sleaze · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject:

Waypoint projection is a little different than what you are describing. Some multi-caches require projection. You go to the first stage and there you find, instead of a second set of coordinates, a bearing (direction) and distance (for instance 200 meters at 165 dgrees). You then use your GPS or computer software to "project" the original waypoint to the new location. The Garmin 60C will certainly do this, I don't know about the Magellan.

For normal puzzle caches, you simply ignore the posted coordinates and enter the actual coordinates you got from solving the puzzle directly into your unit.
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Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

According to the manual: http://www.magellangps.com/assets/manuals/newprod/SporTrakColor_English.pdf the SportTrak Color does support waypoint projection.

You might want to talk to Good-Boy about Magellan color units (I am not sure if this is the one he had or if he had another color Magellan) but he had to have it replaced three times (he paid for two of the replacements) because the unit would shut off and not turn back on.

He switched to a Garmin 76CS and hasn't reported any problems since.
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sui generis · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:

Keep in mind, while the units will probably come with a base map installed, if you want any details such as park names, etc. You will want to invest in maps as well. The maps load into the unit and provide street level information. A must if you go with the 60C (highly recommended), as you really need the maps for autorouting.
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Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 2:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks-- I'll do a bit more research on the mapping units as well. Maybe I'll hold off on buying one for now.

Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject:

I will still look into the Magellans that do mapping. I love my little Explorist 100, but it has no mapping capability. I really didn't see the value in that feature until now.

Lots of people seem to like the Garmin 60C and the 76CSs. They're pricey, but I'll soon have about $500 to play around with.

I see that Magellan's coming out with the next round of their Explorist series- the 400, 500 and 600. These appear to have advanced features, and of course come with a computer interface, which the series 100-300 lacks.

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

I just picked up my 76CS for $428 from Amazon.com. It didn't come w/the maps but I had those already. $500 is pricey but auto-routing sure is nice Smile

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Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject:

So when you say, it didn't come with the maps, do you mean mapping software that you upload to the GPSr? Does this GPSr come with a USB cable too?

Shoppin' around for GPS stuff is fun... Smile

Moe the Sleaze · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

tomslusher · Geocacher Joined: 02 Jan 2003 Posts: 182

If you are thinking about the Magellan I would recommend the Meridan over the Sporttrek as it allows the use of secure digital cards so it makes it's memory virtually unlimited. I don't think it is a whole lot more than the Sporttrek models.

I use a Magellan and I love it. I have had no problems except when I ran it through the wash machine and even then Magellan fixed it for free.

tomslusher

Buzzygirl · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:09 pm Post subject: