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Best GPSs for NetStumbling

PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 7:09 pm
by spampizza
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?

deja vu?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 7:50 pm
by blackwave
FAQ>>Question:Blackwave, what setup do you suggest?
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=32119#post32119

Here is a nice thread on GPS units and which most people suggest:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2131&highlight=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... :D ... 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... :D Also i would suggest the window suction mount also on garmin's shop.garmin.com :D)

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

ps crossposting is a bad thing:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4260

Not many votes but looks like the Etex Legend Rocks

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 2:54 am
by spampizza
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:)

Who Voted for the Magellen 750 with a reason?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 2:58 am
by spampizza
I'd like to hear his aregument for voting for that expenseive device.

I'd like to hear some of the logic behind these choices

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 7:55 am
by spampizza
You people must have some reasons for voting for these GPSs. Lets hear it.... What do you like about them? Pros..Cons...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 8:09 am
by renderman
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/showthread.php?s=&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

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 9:17 am
by TheSovereign
none of those go Emap

Garmin GPSMAP 76s

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 9:19 am
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.)

Re: Garmin GPSMAP 76s

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 9:23 am
by spampizza
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?

Re: deja vu?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2002 12:01 pm
by astcell
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?"

GPS

PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2002 9:09 am
by mrdquick
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.

Geko 201

PostPosted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 2:42 pm
by kacerdias
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. :)

PostPosted: Tue Mar 04, 2003 4:16 pm
by kacerdias
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.

REI

PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 6:37 am
by jblewis
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!

BT and USB

PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 7:29 am
by jgb1503
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