New GPS system

[BigPoppaG]

I got a new ETREX Garmin 12 Channel GPS system for Christmas. You know the yellow one I am talking about. I used it on a car trip since the boat is in winter storage right now. I am hoping it does better on the water then on the road. I still haven't figured everything out on it yet. Does anyone have one of these and how is it working for you?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New GPS system

What kind of problem did it give you on the road? I have the etrex vista and it works flawlessly no matter where I am, as long as it can see the sky. When you're using a handheld in a vehicle, it needs to see as much of the sky as possible. I have a dash mount for mine and it works great. I reads through glass but not metal.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: New GPS system

It's not that it doesn't work. I just need to read the directions more. I guess I might be expecting a little to much from this model.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New GPS system

Gottcha!

 

[roscoe]

Re: New GPS system

A have talked to lots of people since I got my gps. I thought it was not working properly. I personally, and others, have said they have troubles. We narrowed it down to all the "international" icons that are used for the labels on the buttons. It seems some of us have a hard time with icons. It can be a real pain in the butt, and each icon/button does something different depending what mode you are in, <br /><br />I even ordered the dvd training video, but that jumps around and is hard to follow. And ofcourse you are in the house watching the dvd, and not outside where you can use the gps while they are explaining it. It helped, but not much.<br /><br />My brain needs a sequence of steps to follow.<br />And a diagram on how to get back to where I was, if I push the wrong button, which I do often, cause those icons mean nothing to me.<br />Once I get that mental diagram worked out in my head, I'm ok.<br /><br />I know I'm not the only one, but that doesn't make it any easieer.<br />I see people push the wrong button all the time, then they have to push 12 more buttons to get back to where thay were, then try again. What would be the problem with putting one more button on those things, a "back" button? And put some dang labels on them.<br /><br />Anybody want to buy a used gps?

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: New GPS system

Roscoe...........a man after my own heart. I think I need more patience and boating season to get here. That will help. Always does.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: New GPS system

BPG,<br />I've got one also, and I've found it works for me better in the boat than in the car.<br /><br />Reason seems to be that in the boat all I need is a couple of fixed pieces of info, and once I've got the hang of setting these on the screen, and wedging the Etrex tight on the console, it just performs. <br /><br />In the car I wedge it tight up to the screen/dash junction. It never moves because it's got the rubber surround, but I can't read it well from the drivers seat and have to keep squinting. It's also hard to read in bright sun.<br /><br />I like it, but it's limited compared with a bigger-screen colour unit, and the instructions are written in Greek by a blind Japanese octagonarian.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: New GPS system

ROFLMAO! I feel ya.

 

[artburr]

Re: New GPS system

I have a Magellan Gold which I use in my car, connected to my laptop which has a 12 volt adapter. I use Microsoft Streets and Trips with it and always know exactly where I am. I love it!

 

[JB]

Re: New GPS system

Moving to Electrics and Electronics.