garmin gps'

rerunn · 06-06-2002

I was out looking for GPS units today and I picked up a GARMIN ETREX LEGEND. Its cool how they can pack so much functionality in such a tiny little package. I do have a beef with it and I was hoping others may have suggestions... I paid almost double the price of a standard ETREX because I wanted the built in mapping features. I've come to discover that the maps built into this unit kind of suck in terms of detail -- especially the details for up here in canada. The map movement is clunky and I cant see me using it for anything practical. Is there any use for this feature that you guys can think of -- is there any usefulnees in terms of stumbliing? Should I just return this and get a standard etrex and save some bucks?

Thanks for your help.

rerunn.

blackwave · 06-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by rerunn

Thanks for your help.

I also have the Garmin eTrex Legend. I bought it because I have a knack of talking myself into getting something with extra things that I will never use(like if I would really somehow end up in the woods and by chance have my gps). I have yet to load the software on the Garmin eTrex for more detail, and I basically haven't used it for more than just receiving data. The only time I had to touch the click-stick was to set it to NMEA. I originally had the NavMan e Series USB GPS, but MP2k2 does is not compatible with USB only gps units.. so I had to get a serial to USB converter when using the Garmin via the serial cable.

If I had known what I know now I would have probably gotten this gps:
http://www.royaltek.com/proditem.asp...use\gindex.asp

Thanks to lincomatic's links.
from
http://www.geocities.com/lincomatic/rig.html
from
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...0&pagenumber=1

rerunn · 06-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave

If I had known what I know now I would have probably gotten this gps:
http://www.royaltek.com/proditem.asp...use\gindex.asp

Thanks to lincomatic's links.
from
http://www.geocities.com/lincomatic/rig.html
from
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...0&pagenumber=1

woooo.. thats really nice looking. So, basically, you end up with a compact gps unit whose sole function is to just spit out gps data via its serial/usb cable.

And of course, the obligatory: Do you know how much one of these cost and where you can get them? I could not find any info in the links.

rerunn.

blackwave · 06-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by rerunn

woooo.. thats really nice looking. So, basically, you end up with a compact gps unit whose sole function is to just spit out gps data via its serial/usb cable.

Yeah that is all you need.

Quote:

And of course, the obligatory: Do you know how much one of these cost and where you can get them? I could not find any info in the links.

I would imagine it would be significantly less. I don't recall what lincomatic said they cost, but lincomatic has dealt with them, but I think he had an eval or something. He talked about it on one of these threads, but couldn't locate it via simple keywords. You may have to email their sales. If you find out please let us know

lullabud · 06-06-2002

if you want to find yourself in the woods with a gps try www.geocaching.com.

personally i think the etrex legend is worth it. the yellow etrex doesn't have ANY maps at all and just shows where you are in reguards to your waypoints and such, wich is more incredibly useless. the streets are nice for when you end up in a neighborhood and you want to see where the nearest freeway is or something like that.

agentgrn · 06-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave
[b]
If I had known what I know now I would have probably gotten this gps:
http://www.royaltek.com/proditem.asp...use\gindex.asp

Ooooh...I bet this would look a hell of a lot less sore-thumbish than the big yellow TripMate on my dashboard.

Now, I'm curious how long it takes to get a 3D fix on a location when it gets powered up. I leave my TripMate on all the time and it's quite nice to plug in and go.

lullabud · 06-06-2002

yes, but how do you buy one? i can't find a price or a vendor anywhere... guess i'll have to e-mail them.

lincomatic · 06-06-2002

i have an etrex too. said it before and i'll say it again: damn thing only outputs every 2 sec in NMEA mode...ok for stumbling but no good for navigation...only garmin mode does 1sec updates. otherwise i like it...gets a quick fix.

but the SiRF-based GPS's are better. tiny and damn fast fix...cold start typically takes less time than it takes me to hook up and start up the car. and hot start <5-10sec for 3D fix. i even get a fix inside garages sometimes. try that w/ your etrex. however not all SiRF-based GPS's are the same. i've heard bad things about the pharos unit and navman stuff is pretty bad too. if u get a serial GPS make sure it has battery backup of almanac & ephemeris data or it'll take a long time to cold start.

i'll talk to our purchasing guys to ask royaltek where u guys can buy them.

blackwave · 06-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by lincomatic

i'll talk to our purchasing guys to ask royaltek where u guys can buy them.

cool, i would like one for sure.

lullabud · 06-07-2002

i already e-mailed them. probably should've said that earlier....

rerunn · 06-08-2002

I found a source for them... they come with either ps2 or usb interface. Cost is 119.

I've asked them for more technical info... I'll post as soon as I get more.

lullabud · 06-08-2002

$119 huh? that's a bit steep... just a bit though, i could probably justify forking over $117, or maybe $118, but $119 is just way out... actually i think that rocks, this will be a great GPS to have with NS. i'm gonna have to poing my non-gps'd netstumblers this way because what good (for the community) is stumbling without a gps?

lullabud · 06-08-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave
Thanks to lincomatic's links.
from
http://www.geocities.com/lincomatic/rig.html
from
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...0&pagenumber=1

dude, your setup rocks linc. one of these days.... one of these days i'll have a pda too. but sooner will be a new desktop system to play games like doom ]I[ on. *sigh* where does the money go?

rerunn · 06-08-2002

Just thought I'd share....

Here's the email I got from the company that carries the royaltek's. The specific model is RGM-2000 but is not listed on their website: http://www.tri-m.com/products/royaltek.products.html

Thank you for your interest in Tri-M Systems and the products we distribute,
the item you are speaking is a GPS antenna, it comes with two kinds of
interface connecting cable , PS2 or USB and two colors, black or gold.
Here is pricing :

Embedded GPS modules
GPS MOUSE Integrated OEM GPS receiver/antenna combo unit

1 - 9 $119
10 - 99 $106
100 - 499 $94

All pricing is in US dollars, FOB Tri-M Systems

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if I can be of
any further assistance.

The persons name is Jean-Eric and his email address is: jducos at tri-m dot com

rerunn

lullabud · 06-08-2002

you know, i'd say that the sapphire looks much more appealing than what i'm assuming the RGM-2000 looks like... as much as i like pcb's packed full of components it just ain't gonna work for me like that this time. does anybody sell the sapphire? i still haven't gotten a reply to the e-mail i sent to them...

06-06-2002	#1 (permalink)
rerunn rerunn run run Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: way up north Posts: 70	garmin gps' I was out looking for GPS units today and I picked up a GARMIN ETREX LEGEND. Its cool how they can pack so much functionality in such a tiny little package. I do have a beef with it and I was hoping others may have suggestions... I paid almost double the price of a standard ETREX because I wanted the built in mapping features. I've come to discover that the maps built into this unit kind of suck in terms of detail -- especially the details for up here in canada. The map movement is clunky and I cant see me using it for anything practical. Is there any use for this feature that you guys can think of -- is there any usefulnees in terms of stumbliing? Should I just return this and get a standard etrex and save some bucks? Thanks for your help. rerunn.

06-06-2002	#8 (permalink)
lincomatic Squaaawk! WiFi! WiFi! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tinsel Town Posts: 1,682	i have an etrex too. said it before and i'll say it again: damn thing only outputs every 2 sec in NMEA mode...ok for stumbling but no good for navigation...only garmin mode does 1sec updates. otherwise i like it...gets a quick fix. but the SiRF-based GPS's are better. tiny and damn fast fix...cold start typically takes less time than it takes me to hook up and start up the car. and hot start <5-10sec for 3D fix. i even get a fix inside garages sometimes. try that w/ your etrex. however not all SiRF-based GPS's are the same. i've heard bad things about the pharos unit and navman stuff is pretty bad too. if u get a serial GPS make sure it has battery backup of almanac & ephemeris data or it'll take a long time to cold start. i'll talk to our purchasing guys to ask royaltek where u guys can buy them. __________________ ~lincomatic

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06-06-2002	#5 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	if you want to find yourself in the woods with a gps try www.geocaching.com. personally i think the etrex legend is worth it. the yellow etrex doesn't have ANY maps at all and just shows where you are in reguards to your waypoints and such, wich is more incredibly useless. the streets are nice for when you end up in a neighborhood and you want to see where the nearest freeway is or something like that.

06-06-2002	#7 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	yes, but how do you buy one? i can't find a price or a vendor anywhere... guess i'll have to e-mail them.

06-07-2002	#10 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	i already e-mailed them. probably should've said that earlier....

06-08-2002	#11 (permalink)
rerunn rerunn run run Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: way up north Posts: 70	I found a source for them... they come with either ps2 or usb interface. Cost is 119. I've asked them for more technical info... I'll post as soon as I get more.

06-08-2002	#12 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	$119 huh? that's a bit steep... just a bit though, i could probably justify forking over $117, or maybe $118, but $119 is just way out... actually i think that rocks, this will be a great GPS to have with NS. i'm gonna have to poing my non-gps'd netstumblers this way because what good (for the community) is stumbling without a gps?

06-08-2002	#14 (permalink)
rerunn rerunn run run Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: way up north Posts: 70	Just thought I'd share.... Here's the email I got from the company that carries the royaltek's. The specific model is RGM-2000 but is not listed on their website: http://www.tri-m.com/products/royaltek.products.html Thank you for your interest in Tri-M Systems and the products we distribute, the item you are speaking is a GPS antenna, it comes with two kinds of interface connecting cable , PS2 or USB and two colors, black or gold. Here is pricing : Embedded GPS modules GPS MOUSE Integrated OEM GPS receiver/antenna combo unit 1 - 9 $119 10 - 99 $106 100 - 499 $94 All pricing is in US dollars, FOB Tri-M Systems Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if I can be of any further assistance. The persons name is Jean-Eric and his email address is: jducos at tri-m dot com rerunn

06-08-2002	#15 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	you know, i'd say that the sapphire looks much more appealing than what i'm assuming the RGM-2000 looks like... as much as i like pcb's packed full of components it just ain't gonna work for me like that this time. does anybody sell the sapphire? i still haven't gotten a reply to the e-mail i sent to them...