Best GPSs for NetStumbling

spampizza · 09-25-2002

With so many setups out there, Id like to know what the best setups to use in the $100 - $250 range for currently shipping models. Thinks I'd like to know is about there compatiblity and mapping ability. Also USB vs Serial. How well they work inside the car. I'm leaning tward handheld because I'd like to be able to take my Fishing, snowmobiling, and biking. I've given a little thought to the USB/Serial only devices listed here that plug into the computer alone and do there mapping on the screen. The sound like they work for netstumbling and maping as long as there connected to a pc. But are there features any better then the handhelds in this setup?

blackwave · 09-25-2002

FAQ>>Question:Blackwave, what setup do you suggest?
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...2119#post32119

Here is a nice thread on GPS units and which most people suggest:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...ght=garmin+gps
Personally I have and use the Garmin eTrex Legend (the blue one)... but most people only need the Garmin eTrex Basic (the yellow one)... though the basic doesn't come with a serial cable... but if you are wardriving you may want to get the data+power cable from shop.garmin.com which is 50$USD... also check the for sale area, there recently was a 99$USD price tag on the basic model at a few retailers...

... I would have gotten the basic if I didn't talk myself into thinking i would actually be outdoors in a forsest somewhere, and happen to have my eTrex with batteries handy to find my way home...

Also i would suggest the window suction mount also on garmin's shop.garmin.com

)

... a question for you, have you searched the board?

ps crossposting is a bad thing:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=4260

spampizza · 09-26-2002

It shoulds like for the price and features you can not get a better unit. And it is fully compatible?? Just use the included serial calble?

-Tim

spampizza · 09-26-2002

I'd like to hear his aregument for voting for that expenseive device.

spampizza · 09-26-2002

You people must have some reasons for voting for these GPSs. Lets hear it.... What do you like about them? Pros..Cons...

renderman · 09-26-2002

It all depends on your needs I guess. For stumbling, you just need to know where you are at a given moment.

The Garmins seem to have less interface problems than the magellans, but as long as it can talk NMEA, it does'nt matter.

The question comes down to cost and extra features. As BW said, the etrex basic will do you just fine for wardriving, but the legend is nice with the onscreen maps (useful for backtracking your way out of suburbia hell and getting back home). I personally use the Legend. Others have more memory and altimiters, barometers etc.

For the low end of the scale, I ordered one of the $15 Motorola cards from this thread http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=4188 for some prototyping, and it should work no problem. 8 channel, NMEA output. What more do you need?

The make should'nt matter. The only thing to look for are;

1. 8 or 12 channel. Both work, but the 12 is better at keeping a lock. Those tree lined residential streets are a pain.

2. NMEA output. You could also use the Garmin text output, but other apps might not like it.

3. Serial interface. Make sure it has the proper interface that will work with NS. USB gets iffy.

Hope that's a decent analysis.

Render

TheSovereign · 09-26-2002

none of those go Emap

fitzStewart · 09-26-2002

Of the choices, I would take the eTrex Legend, but the unit of my choice would be the GPSMAP 76s. Good for stumbling, geocaching, and a host of other fun activities (stormchasing, greenlaning, etc.)

spampizza · 09-26-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by fitzStewart
Of the choices, I would take the eTrex Legend, but the unit of my choice would be the GPSMAP 76s. Good for stumbling, geocaching, and a host of other fun activities (stormchasing, greenlaning, etc.)

Who makes the GPSMAP 76s? What is the price? Is it a map compatible hand held?

astcell · 09-26-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave

... a question for you, have you searched the board?

Joshua says "Shall we play a game?"

Blackwave says, "Have you searched the board?"

mrdquick · 12-27-2002

For those that want more than the Etrax basic but less than the legen, get the venture, it comes with the pc serial cable, speaks all the popular langauges, including the ever popular NMEA-0182, but doesn't include the power cable. Get the suction cup mount, those few degrees can mean the difference between "a" satellite and all the satellites, includding the WAAS satellite.

Got mine at circuit city, but look on ebay.

kacerdias · 02-27-2003

I realize it's a new unit, but has anyone tried using a Garmin Geko 201 with NS? It looks like a nice and relatively inexpensive unit that uses WAAS for greater accuracy. I'm concidering getting one and if I don't hear a reply about it, I'll just guinea pig it myself and try it out.

kacerdias · 03-04-2003

Ok, just an update. Got my Geko 201 yesterday and went stumbling today. It works both in NMEA mode and Garmin Binary. For some reason, the Garmin native is snappier at getting a lock. At any rate, pick one of these up if you're still looking for a GPS.

jblewis · 03-05-2003

If you live close to an REI store (and are a member) ask a salesperson about their "B93" sales. They are scratch and dent sales, and occasionally a GPS unit shows up.

There are usually a lot of other great buys too!

jgb1503 · 03-05-2003

I have seen a lot of different GPS units in these forums. I am trying to figure out the best one to get. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

Yes i have searched the forums, and there is A LOT of information, but I am trying to get a general consensus of what ones are the best - and since that is the topc for this discussion I'd thought I'd post this in here.

Looking for one that will do BT (for a wireless hookup to my iPAQ h5455) and USB (to hook up with my laptop). Built in display - so I can use it on its own also.

Good accuracy, good signal stregth indoors etc... Would like to be able to have it plot where I am drive/walking as I am doing it (mobile maps?? i don't know what this feature is called, I want it to move as I move). I want to be able to set waypoints. And a little ruggedness - water resistant ect.... , size isn't to big of an issue, but i wouldn't want it HUGE.. Also, maybe be able to view topographical maps also??

Any Suggestions???? (Price range of sub-500$) Am looking for suggestions and actual user feedback here. I would like to know what actually works for you, and works well. Not just what the 'company' says it does.....

TIA!

jb

View Poll Results: What GPS would you suggest?
Garmin etrex Basic about $120	26	17.81%
Garmin etrex Legend about $200 $50 rebate	48	32.88%
Magellan 750nav about $1400 new PRICY	3	2.05%
Magellan 315 Suggest Retail Price $169	8	5.48%
PC Only?	7	4.79%
Handheld?	10	6.85%
USB?	19	13.01%
Serial?	11	7.53%
This USB GPS for $99 - PCOnly - http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merc...ategory_Code=GR	14	9.59%
Voters: 146. You may not vote on this poll

09-25-2002	#1 (permalink)
spampizza Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 7	Best GPSs for NetStumbling With so many setups out there, Id like to know what the best setups to use in the $100 - $250 range for currently shipping models. Thinks I'd like to know is about there compatiblity and mapping ability. Also USB vs Serial. How well they work inside the car. I'm leaning tward handheld because I'd like to be able to take my Fishing, snowmobiling, and biking. I've given a little thought to the USB/Serial only devices listed here that plug into the computer alone and do there mapping on the screen. The sound like they work for netstumbling and maping as long as there connected to a pc. But are there features any better then the handhelds in this setup?

09-25-2002	#2 (permalink)
blackwave Do I look like I'm joking Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: SoCal, OC Posts: 4,507	deja vu? FAQ>>Question:Blackwave, what setup do you suggest? http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...2119#post32119 Here is a nice thread on GPS units and which most people suggest: http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...ght=garmin+gps Personally I have and use the Garmin eTrex Legend (the blue one)... but most people only need the Garmin eTrex Basic (the yellow one)... though the basic doesn't come with a serial cable... but if you are wardriving you may want to get the data+power cable from shop.garmin.com which is 50$USD... also check the for sale area, there recently was a 99$USD price tag on the basic model at a few retailers... ... I would have gotten the basic if I didn't talk myself into thinking i would actually be outdoors in a forsest somewhere, and happen to have my eTrex with batteries handy to find my way home... Also i would suggest the window suction mount also on garmin's shop.garmin.com ) ... a question for you, have you searched the board? ps crossposting is a bad thing: http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=4260 __________________ -=BW=-

09-26-2002	#3 (permalink)
spampizza Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 7	Not many votes but looks like the Etex Legend Rocks It shoulds like for the price and features you can not get a better unit. And it is fully compatible?? Just use the included serial calble? -Tim

09-26-2002	#4 (permalink)
spampizza Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 7	Who Voted for the Magellen 750 with a reason? I'd like to hear his aregument for voting for that expenseive device.

09-26-2002	#5 (permalink)
spampizza Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 7	I'd like to hear some of the logic behind these choices You people must have some reasons for voting for these GPSs. Lets hear it.... What do you like about them? Pros..Cons...

09-26-2002	#6 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	It all depends on your needs I guess. For stumbling, you just need to know where you are at a given moment. The Garmins seem to have less interface problems than the magellans, but as long as it can talk NMEA, it does'nt matter. The question comes down to cost and extra features. As BW said, the etrex basic will do you just fine for wardriving, but the legend is nice with the onscreen maps (useful for backtracking your way out of suburbia hell and getting back home). I personally use the Legend. Others have more memory and altimiters, barometers etc. For the low end of the scale, I ordered one of the $15 Motorola cards from this thread http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=4188 for some prototyping, and it should work no problem. 8 channel, NMEA output. What more do you need? The make should'nt matter. The only thing to look for are; 1. 8 or 12 channel. Both work, but the 12 is better at keeping a lock. Those tree lined residential streets are a pain. 2. NMEA output. You could also use the Garmin text output, but other apps might not like it. 3. Serial interface. Make sure it has the proper interface that will work with NS. USB gets iffy. Hope that's a decent analysis. Render

09-26-2002	#7 (permalink)
TheSovereign Master of the universe Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 658	none of those go Emap __________________ SO SAYS TheSovereign

09-26-2002	#8 (permalink)
fitzStewart UrbanEx Wardriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 103	Garmin GPSMAP 76s Of the choices, I would take the eTrex Legend, but the unit of my choice would be the GPSMAP 76s. Good for stumbling, geocaching, and a host of other fun activities (stormchasing, greenlaning, etc.)

12-27-2002	#11 (permalink)
mrdquick Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma (USA) Posts: 19	GPS For those that want more than the Etrax basic but less than the legen, get the venture, it comes with the pc serial cable, speaks all the popular langauges, including the ever popular NMEA-0182, but doesn't include the power cable. Get the suction cup mount, those few degrees can mean the difference between "a" satellite and all the satellites, includding the WAAS satellite. Got mine at circuit city, but look on ebay.

02-27-2003	#12 (permalink)
kacerdias Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 9	Geko 201 I realize it's a new unit, but has anyone tried using a Garmin Geko 201 with NS? It looks like a nice and relatively inexpensive unit that uses WAAS for greater accuracy. I'm concidering getting one and if I don't hear a reply about it, I'll just guinea pig it myself and try it out.

03-04-2003	#13 (permalink)
kacerdias Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 9	Ok, just an update. Got my Geko 201 yesterday and went stumbling today. It works both in NMEA mode and Garmin Binary. For some reason, the Garmin native is snappier at getting a lock. At any rate, pick one of these up if you're still looking for a GPS.

03-05-2003	#14 (permalink)
jblewis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 9	REI If you live close to an REI store (and are a member) ask a salesperson about their "B93" sales. They are scratch and dent sales, and occasionally a GPS unit shows up. There are usually a lot of other great buys too!

03-05-2003	#15 (permalink)
jgb1503 Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 179	BT and USB I have seen a lot of different GPS units in these forums. I am trying to figure out the best one to get. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction. Yes i have searched the forums, and there is A LOT of information, but I am trying to get a general consensus of what ones are the best - and since that is the topc for this discussion I'd thought I'd post this in here. Looking for one that will do BT (for a wireless hookup to my iPAQ h5455) and USB (to hook up with my laptop). Built in display - so I can use it on its own also. Good accuracy, good signal stregth indoors etc... Would like to be able to have it plot where I am drive/walking as I am doing it (mobile maps?? i don't know what this feature is called, I want it to move as I move). I want to be able to set waypoints. And a little ruggedness - water resistant ect.... , size isn't to big of an issue, but i wouldn't want it HUGE.. Also, maybe be able to view topographical maps also?? Any Suggestions???? (Price range of sub-500$) Am looking for suggestions and actual user feedback here. I would like to know what actually works for you, and works well. Not just what the 'company' says it does..... TIA! jb __________________ No trees were harmed in the sending of this message.... Although, quite a few electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Last edited by jgb1503 : 03-05-2003 at 02:39 PM.

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