GPS demystified and stuff for birders only - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: GPS demystified and stuff for birders only (/showthread.php?tid=7455)

GPS demystified and stuff for birders only - hippieforever3 - 12-04-2008 13:51 Since more birders travel with a laptop, I thought I would mention that Garmin makes a product for PC and laptops. Additionally there are now mini-laptops Asus and Dell with 7-9 inch screens for $400 The Garmin product is here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=13484 Make sure you get a third generation Bluetooth receiver to go with it. Third generation receivers work very well on the dash of a bird. No need for external antenna. I use the previous version of this software so don't have any first hand knowledge of this iteration but have good things to say about that version. If this version is an improvement, the $60 price tag is a bargain. NOTE: I don't believe you don't get a worthwhile map for $60. That must be purchased separately. TIPS ON USE Plan your route BEFORE you turn on the ignition. The PC products have a companion software program called Mapsource (downloadable) that is very useful in checking the sanity of the auto- routing. Fifteen minutes while having your coffee, looking over the days route will be well worth your while. I have a whole bunch of national files containing Walmarts, National Parks, etc. I import the appropriate files. Select the area for the day and make a composite of waypoints important for the day/week then take my first shot at an "auto-route". If you find something that doesn't look or feel right make a waypoint where you think the route should go and redraw the route with that (maybe more than one) waypoint in it. Save that route. Almost everyone I've ever talked to that is new using a GPS has a lot of frustration. Send me questions if you want. Wave as we go by, GPSGary GPS demystified and stuff for birders only - Bill Garamella - 12-04-2008 15:02 The Garmin product sounds a lot like Microsoft Streets and Trips http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products_Streets2009GPS.aspx I have the 2008 version that come with a USB receiver and it works really well. The MS product isin the same $60 price range....I think its bargain for what it does. NH Bill 83 FC "Casa Billisa" --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "hippieforever3" wrote: > > Since more birders travel with a laptop, I thought I would mention > that Garmin makes a product for PC and laptops. > > Additionally there are now mini-laptops Asus and Dell with 7-9 inch > screens for $400 > > The Garmin product is here: > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=13484 > > Make sure you get a third generation Bluetooth receiver to go with it. > Third generation receivers work very well on the dash of a bird. No > need for external antenna. > > I use the previous version of this software so don't have any first > hand knowledge of this iteration but have good things to say about > that version. If this version is an improvement, the $60 price tag is > a bargain. > > NOTE: I don't believe you don't get a worthwhile map for $60. That > must be purchased separately. > > TIPS ON USE > > Plan your route BEFORE you turn on the ignition. > The PC products have a companion software program called Mapsource > (downloadable) that is very useful in checking the sanity of the auto- > routing. > Fifteen minutes while having your coffee, looking over the days route > will be well worth your while. > I have a whole bunch of national files containing Walmarts, National > Parks, etc. I import the appropriate files. Select the area for the > day and make a composite of waypoints important for the day/week then > take my first shot at an "auto-route". > If you find something that doesn't look or feel right make a waypoint > where you think the route should go and redraw the route with that > (maybe more than one) waypoint in it. > Save that route. > > Almost everyone I've ever talked to that is new using a GPS has a lot > of frustration. Send me questions if you want. > > Wave as we go by, > GPSGary > GPS demystified and stuff for birders only - Kurt Horvath - 12-04-2008 15:26 I have streets and trips used it for 2 years now. I rate it as very good. I just received the Garmin PC unit today so far so good but MS S&T seems to be a bit more user freindly, but really to soon to tell. My X-mass trip will tell the tail Kurt Horvath 95 PT 42 10AC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Garamella" wrote: > > The Garmin product sounds a lot like Microsoft Streets and Trips > > http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products_Streets2009GPS.aspx > > I have the 2008 version that come with a USB receiver and it works really well. The MS > product isin the same $60 price range....I think its bargain for what it does. > > NH Bill 83 FC "Casa Billisa" > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "hippieforever3" wrote: > > > > Since more birders travel with a laptop, I thought I would mention > > that Garmin makes a product for PC and laptops. > > > > Additionally there are now mini-laptops Asus and Dell with 7-9 inch > > screens for $400 > > > > The Garmin product is here: > > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=13484 > > > > Make sure you get a third generation Bluetooth receiver to go with it. > > Third generation receivers work very well on the dash of a bird. No > > need for external antenna. > > > > I use the previous version of this software so don't have any first > > hand knowledge of this iteration but have good things to say about > > that version. If this version is an improvement, the $60 price tag is > > a bargain. > > > > NOTE: I don't believe you don't get a worthwhile map for $60. That > > must be purchased separately. > > > > TIPS ON USE > > > > Plan your route BEFORE you turn on the ignition. > > The PC products have a companion software program called Mapsource > > (downloadable) that is very useful in checking the sanity of the auto- > > routing. > > Fifteen minutes while having your coffee, looking over the days route > > will be well worth your while. > > I have a whole bunch of national files containing Walmarts, National > > Parks, etc. I import the appropriate files. Select the area for the > > day and make a composite of waypoints important for the day/week then > > take my first shot at an "auto-route". > > If you find something that doesn't look or feel right make a waypoint > > where you think the route should go and redraw the route with that > > (maybe more than one) waypoint in it. > > Save that route. > > > > Almost everyone I've ever talked to that is new using a GPS has a lot > > of frustration. Send me questions if you want. > > > > Wave as we go by, > > GPSGary > > >