budman650,

most of the units are pretty easy to figure out, and most all of them have the same basic features. You can pick up a video (DVD/VHS) at Wally World for about $9-$15 on how to use yor GPS. They seem to have them for the popular Magellan and Garmin GPS Unts. IMHO I think the Magellan Units are more intuitive, but that is based on using 2 different Garmin eTrex, a Garmin GPSMap76, A Magellan Merridean Gold, and a Magellan Sport Trak Pro.

Good luck with you GPS unit!!! I you want ot get good at using it, look at Geocaching.com. It is a lot of fun and it really sharpens your skills.

There are also a number of books on Map reading and usinfg a GPS and Map for navigation. Just do a search on Amazon

Hope this helps,
ZMan079

 

Thanks, ZMan. I actually started reading the manual again. It's amazing what they put in those, but it's like a car manual, you get a new car and put the manual in the glove box.

 

budman,
I know what you mean, There are many times when I need to peak at the manual to remeber what some of the Navigation terma are like EPE, XTE, etc.......

ZMAn079,

 

Ok, you guys talked me into it. After reading this post I went to Wally World and picked up the Magellen Gold. So far so good, I will pickup one of those videos you recommended. But the problem I found is hooking it up to my MAC, I just ordered this cable DB-9 to USB and then download the following software, and yes the software is free. GPSMacBabeldownload the one named "Download MacGPSBabel-1.2.5.zip" and I downloaded this one too TerraBrowser . Hopefully this gets me where I want to go, no pun intended [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

WGMARQ,

Glad to see you picked up a GPS Unit, Thanks for the tip on the Babel, it looks pretty nice. I usually use EasyGPS to work with my waypoints and routes, but I am not sure if they have a version for the Mac.

I am looking into parting with my Sport Trak Pro and some accessories, so I can upgrade to the Meridean Color, That is a sweet Unit....

Enjoy your new toy,
ZMan079

 

I thought I'd add my two cents worth. I have a lowrance ifind H2O. Clear backlit display, lots of features, easy to use and it seems to maintain a lock on sat's pretty good, but I haven't had it on the trail. Ram mount holds it securely and it's pretty easy to see. Does anyone know where to download trail maps for gps units?

 

http://www.maptech.com/products/outd...TOKEN=96982474

I'm using this with an IPAQ and NAVMAN GPS sleeve... it ROCKS!

 

admjohnt1,

Not sure where you can get trail maps! Some of the trail guides that are published may have them in it, but if you have the coordinates of the waypoints along trails, you can create a route then load it into your GPS. You can use some of the mapping software that is available (Delorme Topo USA, Maptech,etc) or the simple waypoint and route software that was mentioned in the above threads to accompish this.

To actually load the topograhic info (Contour Lines, etc) into your GPS first it must support it, and secondly your GPS manufacturer will have software to do this. I believe that the software will only work for that Manufacturer, so you can't use Nagellan Softwre to load info into a Garmin GPS. (I have not verified this but I'm pretty sure).

Hope this helps,
ZMan079

 

Most of you guys responding to this thread sound very familair with your units.

I own the Magellan 48..old but effective.

What I would like manufactures to produce is a "sleeve" that fits over our units like the ones our cell phones have..I'm also thinking about putting a mounting bracket on my quad..however I have put it the rubber side up before..so maybe some velcro on the gas tamk is a better option?

 

Got a Neoprene cover on my magellan Sport Trak Pro , made by Magellan, keeps the dust and dirt out.... I usually keep mine in my tank bag....
ZMan079