Garmin Etrex GPS

04-04-2002

My garmin etrex (basic) "sees" about 8 or so satellites, gets signal from 4 or 5. Yet, its only accurate within at least 30+ feet. Thus, when I plot my stumbled points on a map (like delorme) the points don't line up with the street I'm on! Sometimes it looks like they are actually on OTHER streets.

I know this GPS is the cheapest by garmin, but it should be more accurate. It sits on my dash in the jeep, somewhat clear shot of the sky. I also have a Delorme Earthmate, and when I use that with street atlas, its VERY accurate (same location, on the dash). seems like within about 5 feet!!

Any particular reason? Does garmin just make thier gps receivers really week, and want you to go out and buy one of their ridiculiously overpriced antennas?

04-04-2002

the garmin gps you have probably doesnt have WAAS.
if you dont know what waas is, feel free to look it it up. it is mentioned in the forum multiple times or simply look it up on any gps site or google

04-04-2002

I have the garmin etrex basic model. It sees 12 satellites and is very accurate. Make sure your map datum on the GPS is set for WGS84. I get accuracy from 15 to 30 feet 90% of the time.

04-04-2002

crap. I thought the whole garmin line had WAAS. Turns out the WAAS starts at the etrex "Venture" model (and Legend, Vista).

I only read some of the descriptions for the etrex line. It looked like the others just had more memory, removable memory, more waypoints and path data, etc.. stuff I'd never use in the GPS itself, since it'll most always be attached to a PC. (sigh).

Anyway, the Earthmate doesnt have WAAS either, but is still more accurate. When/If Earthmate support ever makes it into NS, I'll just use that.

04-05-2002

Even without the WAAS, I'm getting 15 feet accuracy. Works like a charm with Delorme street atlas 9.0 and mappoint (except for the stupid microsoft 15 sec. update delay).

04-07-2002

With the newest firmware I *think* the basic eTrex has WAAS, (pronounced "was"). I for one find WAAS useless and a battery eater. I've turned it off on my Legend. When they put up more WAAS birds in orbit I will try it again but not until.

04-07-2002

Sheesh, I remember when GPS's were over $500 and you were lucky to get within 60ft! They've turned of Selective Availability so you should be able to pull in a sub 30 ft accuracy. With my budget Etrex, I'm routinely at 19ft. This is very very accurate!

04-04-2002	#1 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Garmin Etrex GPS My garmin etrex (basic) "sees" about 8 or so satellites, gets signal from 4 or 5. Yet, its only accurate within at least 30+ feet. Thus, when I plot my stumbled points on a map (like delorme) the points don't line up with the street I'm on! Sometimes it looks like they are actually on OTHER streets. I know this GPS is the cheapest by garmin, but it should be more accurate. It sits on my dash in the jeep, somewhat clear shot of the sky. I also have a Delorme Earthmate, and when I use that with street atlas, its VERY accurate (same location, on the dash). seems like within about 5 feet!! Any particular reason? Does garmin just make thier gps receivers really week, and want you to go out and buy one of their ridiculiously overpriced antennas?

04-04-2002	#3 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	garmin etrex I have the garmin etrex basic model. It sees 12 satellites and is very accurate. Make sure your map datum on the GPS is set for WGS84. I get accuracy from 15 to 30 feet 90% of the time.

04-04-2002	#4 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Etrex Basic - No WAAS crap. I thought the whole garmin line had WAAS. Turns out the WAAS starts at the etrex "Venture" model (and Legend, Vista). I only read some of the descriptions for the etrex line. It looked like the others just had more memory, removable memory, more waypoints and path data, etc.. stuff I'd never use in the GPS itself, since it'll most always be attached to a PC. (sigh). Anyway, the Earthmate doesnt have WAAS either, but is still more accurate. When/If Earthmate support ever makes it into NS, I'll just use that.

04-07-2002	#7 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	30 Ft isn't accurate? Sheesh, I remember when GPS's were over $500 and you were lucky to get within 60ft! They've turned of Selective Availability so you should be able to pull in a sub 30 ft accuracy. With my budget Etrex, I'm routinely at 19ft. This is very very accurate!

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04-04-2002	#2 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	the garmin gps you have probably doesnt have WAAS. if you dont know what waas is, feel free to look it it up. it is mentioned in the forum multiple times or simply look it up on any gps site or google

04-05-2002	#5 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	Even without the WAAS, I'm getting 15 feet accuracy. Works like a charm with Delorme street atlas 9.0 and mappoint (except for the stupid microsoft 15 sec. update delay).

04-07-2002	#6 (permalink)
Posts: n/a	With the newest firmware I think the basic eTrex has WAAS, (pronounced "was"). I for one find WAAS useless and a battery eater. I've turned it off on my Legend. When they put up more WAAS birds in orbit I will try it again but not until.