basic gps questions - questions answered
 

Brien,
Don't put a god @ddress out on the usenet or the spambots will grab it.

Brien Alkire wrote:
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).
Find out more about this a Peter Bennett's (link below). There are
several free/share packages that are great for entering and storing
waypoints. In fog, I find it best to go to know and pre-loaded
waypoints (these can even be set on the way out - if you keep a list).
Aftermarket data cables are available if the unit is not supplied with one.

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.
Very Good Start - Thinking is the Cheapest Thing to Do

Any pointers on what I should consider?
Go where you can hold one in a hand and try to do standard operations

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?
Go to Peter Bennett's wonderful site ont the subject
http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should know
about?
I am not fond of mappers and do not like anything that uses proprietry
charts (some older units can no longer be updated as they are not
supported any longer)

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?
Peter will know about it - look there.

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?
WAAS came along, but it is not really all that important as that if you
are on the GPS instead of visual and need that accuracy, you should be
anchored.

Thanks,

Brien
Any Time.
Matt Colie A.Sloop "Bonne Ide'e" www.yachtek.com
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor

basic gps questions
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
In fact, the only thing that I really find the map useful for, is
inputting
routes.

Yup. That works well with the mapping units. More proof that Ganzy is
wrong
again.

It really depends on your priorities.


What info is missing from your unit that makes it less than useful.

The problem is that the display is far too small. If you have all the info
shown on the display, then it becomes very cluttered.

Another way to think about, is to imagine working with a 3" paper chart.
It would be impossible, wouldn't it?





I can
display miles of water with all navaids clearly labeled....great when I
want to
pass a harbor entrance six or seven times before entering!

While you see if you find a *soft* rock?????


Regards

Donal
--

basic gps questions
 

50 pics of daysailing? Must have been very entertaining, sorry I missed
them all. Did you see my pics?

Your jealousy is showing, again.

Scotty


"Bobsprit" wrote ...
Do you understand the phrase,''less than''. Ask Jax to splain it to you,
daysailor.

Scotty, if you only went on 3 day trips or more, and worked, then you
didn't
sail much, especially since you posted here all summer, even when I was
away! I
also posted pics of my sails...more than fifty in fact. You posted only a
few
and told us "stories."

BUSTED!

RB

basic gps questions - questions answered
 

Brien,
Don't put a god @ddress out on the usenet or the spambots will grab it.

Brien Alkire wrote:
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).
Find out more about this a Peter Bennett's (link below). There are
several free/share packages that are great for entering and storing
waypoints. In fog, I find it best to go to know and pre-loaded
waypoints (these can even be set on the way out - if you keep a list).
Aftermarket data cables are available if the unit is not supplied with one.

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.
Very Good Start - Thinking is the Cheapest Thing to Do

Any pointers on what I should consider?
Go where you can hold one in a hand and try to do standard operations

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?
Go to Peter Bennett's wonderful site ont the subject
http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should know
about?
I am not fond of mappers and do not like anything that uses proprietry
charts (some older units can no longer be updated as they are not
supported any longer)

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?
Peter will know about it - look there.

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?
WAAS came along, but it is not really all that important as that if you
are on the GPS instead of visual and need that accuracy, you should be
anchored.

Thanks,

Brien
Any Time.
Matt Colie A.Sloop "Bonne Ide'e" www.yachtek.com
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor

basic gps questions
 

50 pics of daysailing? Must have been very entertaining, sorry I missed
them all. Did you see my pics?


Missed them? You commented on them, including trip to Port Jeff and Thimbles,
oyster bay, and so on.
Poor fella!

RB

basic gps questions
 

The problem is that the display is far too small. If you have all the info
shown on the display, then it becomes very cluttered.

Another way to think about, is to imagine working with a 3" paper chart.
It would be impossible, wouldn't it?

I generally agree, Donal. What I do is shut down everything but the navaids.
Pretty usable in that mode for SMALLER areas.
As BB pointed out, not a chart replacement....just an additional tool that
happens to cost next to nothing. It's also great for road trips and hiking
beyond a non-mapping unit.

RB

basic gps questions
 

quick reference and quite accurate. Mine shows all navaids,

What a pity that it doesn't also show rocks!!!

It can show depths....but I'd only ignore that!

RB

basic gps questions
 

I have an older GPSMap 175 (gift from my brother - I probably wouldn't have
bought it at the time) plus the chips for most of the areas I've sailed. The
nice thing is that I can quickly transfer my position from the tiny screen to a
paper chart with a high degree of confidence.

Last year I forgot the chip for Martha's Vineyard. However, I had programmed in
so many buoys as waypoints I still had the equivalent of the handhelds that have
a map display of buoy locations, without the geographic features (such as the
GPS 76).

One feature of mapping is the "bread crumbs" that provide a safe path to return
to a spot visited before. Very handy in foggy, rockbound coasts since it means
you can exit any harbor you entered, or retreat if condition deteriorate.



"Donal" wrote in message
...

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
In fact, the only thing that I really find the map useful for, is
inputting
routes.

Yup. That works well with the mapping units. More proof that Ganzy is
wrong
again.

It really depends on your priorities.


What info is missing from your unit that makes it less than useful.

The problem is that the display is far too small. If you have all the info
shown on the display, then it becomes very cluttered.

Another way to think about, is to imagine working with a 3" paper chart.
It would be impossible, wouldn't it?





I can
display miles of water with all navaids clearly labeled....great when I
want to
pass a harbor entrance six or seven times before entering!

While you see if you find a *soft* rock?????


Regards

Donal
--

basic gps questions
 

One feature of mapping is the "bread crumbs" that provide a safe path to return
to a spot visited before. Very handy in foggy, rockbound coasts since it means
you can exit any harbor you entered, or retreat if condition deteriorate.


And there you have it!

RB

basic gps questions
 

I think you should bring a server with you instead of a laptop...
That way you'll WIN every time!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
True, but I can usually see it from the wheel with little effort and
it gives a much bigger picture.
Plus the data saving is excellent.

Like I said...I agree the laptop is better. But I haven't setup my Laptop
yet
and the mapping GPS has proved useful. Paper charts are a must. Mapping
GPS
isn't...but it's a nicety. With paper charts and your laptop you're more
than
covered.
But Ganzy is just cheap.

RB

basic gps questions
 

Only the ones in his head.

"Donal" wrote in message
...

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Except that the map function is useless to anyone but an ill equipped
daysailor or powerboater.


Ozzy, I'm afraid you're wrong on that one. The small maps are very
useful
for a
quick reference and quite accurate. Mine shows all navaids,

What a pity that it doesn't also show rocks!!!


Regards


Donal
--

basic gps questions
 

No. Last I checked $350 is three time $250 only in booby's world.

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 20:38:42 -0500, "Scott Vernon"
wrote:

What class were you on top of? Three times $250 is not $350, dumbass.


That was Ganzy's computation, not mine. And I thought your new handle was
"dip****" - now you are signing off as dumbass?

BB

SV


wrote

Three times the cost of a non-map GPS isn't a price penalty?

This guy definitely was asleep during business 101.


Being top of the class is why I don't have to even think about spending
$350 for
a better, more useful tool, versus $250 for a bare bones, less useful
tool. If
you had even attended business 101, you would know that you can't save
your way
to prosperity.

BB.

basic gps questions
 

hahahahahaa... good one!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
And I thought your new handle was
"dip****" - now you are signing off as dumbass?

I think it's a full name....

Mr. Dip**** Scotty Dumbass, Jr.

RB

basic gps questions
 

If you have to ask, you'll never know.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
$250?? How about $100? That way, according to the business classes I had
you can get... wait for it... 3 GPS for the price of one.


Wow! I wonder what Ganzy will spend his saved money on....
Did Cal build a 21 footer???

Bwahahahahaha!

RB

basic gps questions
 

But you always pay half-price! I really think you should get a Cray onboard.
Don't wimp out now!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Being top of the class is why I don't have to even think about spending
$350
for
a better, more useful tool, versus $250 for a bare bones, less useful
tool.

When it comes to sailing gear, it doesn't pay not to pay. The losses in
functionality and durability will usually catch up with you.

RB

basic gps questions
 

For whom? Certainly not you. The only time you would need something
like what you're describing is if you need to WIN! Otherwise, it's a waste
of money.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Three times the cost of a non-map GPS isn't a price penalty?

I think built in navaids is a good feature. Which 99 dollar GPS has them?
In any case, 200 bucks is a penalty when it's a speeding ticket. For a
better
GPS with a usable map, it's a gift.
You just don't get it because you only daysail a baby boat.

RB

basic gps questions
 

No... it's because you were too stupid to go to businesss class.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Three times the cost of a non-map GPS isn't a price penalty?

This guy definitely was asleep during business 101.


No wonder I can't afford that Swan 47!!! I spent a bit too much on the GPS
for
the C&C 32!
Rats!

RB

basic gps questions
 

Well, I've got to hand it to you, round is definitely a better shape.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
and you waste money on crappy home entertainment junk, you eat too much,
and
you're lazy.

I'm in better shape than you and like movies? Yup.

RB

basic gps questions
 

Well, at least we don't have to guess what your problem is... it's stupid.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Except for the difference in cost, COST, peabrain.


BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! A GPS 76 is 300 bucks!!! Not exactly a lot of money. Why
would
anyone want a unit with a smaller screen or non floating unit with less
features...just to save 100 bucks or so? 200???
Man, Ganzy. You're either poor or cheap...my guess is BOTH!

RB

basic gps questions
 

That's right bob... you certainly need to know if you've moved more than
a couple of feet... of course, given your size, that's hardly possible.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
My old 300 is very basic, but it works.


That poor thing is less accurate than better units...not that it matters
since
Scotty daysails.

RB

basic gps questions
 

more proof that you have WIN! at all costs. Since you never go anywhere,
why would you care? And, as I recall, even with all your gagets, you still
couldn't keep your boat off the rocks... what and AMAZING WINNER!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
In fact, the only thing that I really find the map useful for, is
inputting
routes.

Yup. That works well with the mapping units. More proof that Ganzy is
wrong
again.
What info is missing from your unit that makes it less than useful. I can
display miles of water with all navaids clearly labeled....great when I
want to
pass a harbor entrance six or seven times before entering!

RB

basic gps questions
 

Except for some reason, you're unable to use the unit you have... no I'm not
talking
about with Suzie... you can't keep your boat off the rocks!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
One feature of mapping is the "bread crumbs" that provide a safe path to
return
to a spot visited before. Very handy in foggy, rockbound coasts since it
means
you can exit any harbor you entered, or retreat if condition
deteriorate.


And there you have it!

RB

basic gps questions
 

Prove it.


"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
50 pics of daysailing? Must have been very entertaining, sorry I missed
them all. Did you see my pics?


Missed them? You commented on them, including trip to Port Jeff and
Thimbles,
oyster bay, and so on.
Poor fella!

RB

basic gps questions
 

Smaller areas?? Like your brain?

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
The problem is that the display is far too small. If you have all the
info
shown on the display, then it becomes very cluttered.

Another way to think about, is to imagine working with a 3" paper chart.
It would be impossible, wouldn't it?

I generally agree, Donal. What I do is shut down everything but the
navaids.
Pretty usable in that mode for SMALLER areas.
As BB pointed out, not a chart replacement....just an additional tool that
happens to cost next to nothing. It's also great for road trips and hiking
beyond a non-mapping unit.

RB

basic gps questions
 

First, it's not a lesser GPS.

Does your GPS float? I'm afraid it is a lesser GPS.

RB

basic gps questions
 

Prove it.


Sure.

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/page1.html

RB

basic gps questions
 

OzOne wrote
I can't see me travelling far in zero viz.


I can't see bob travelling far, period.

basic gps questions
 

Are my comments there?


"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Prove it.


Sure.

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/page1.html

RB

basic gps questions - questions answered
 

Garmin gps map76 is , by far, the best thing I've seen or used. Even w/o
blue charts it comes with all (most ?) US nav aids and a very
good base map -
Art Heyman


"Matt Colie" wrote in message
...
Brien,
Don't put a god @ddress out on the usenet or the spambots will grab it.

Brien Alkire wrote:
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of
time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing
to go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).
Find out more about this a Peter Bennett's (link below). There are
several free/share packages that are great for entering and storing
waypoints. In fog, I find it best to go to know and pre-loaded
waypoints (these can even be set on the way out - if you keep a list).
Aftermarket data cables are available if the unit is not supplied with
one.

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.
Very Good Start - Thinking is the Cheapest Thing to Do

Any pointers on what I should consider?
Go where you can hold one in a hand and try to do standard operations

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?
Go to Peter Bennett's wonderful site ont the subject
http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should
know
about?
I am not fond of mappers and do not like anything that uses proprietry
charts (some older units can no longer be updated as they are not
supported any longer)

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?
Peter will know about it - look there.

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?
WAAS came along, but it is not really all that important as that if you
are on the GPS instead of visual and need that accuracy, you should be
anchored.

Thanks,

Brien
Any Time.
Matt Colie A.Sloop "Bonne Ide'e" www.yachtek.com
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor

basic gps questions
 

I can't see bob travelling far, period.

To see that you'd also have to sail far and you never will.


RB

basic gps questions
 

Do your cameras float too?

You had to ask? See my cameras below....yup..airtight and floating!

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/camera2.jpg

RB

basic gps questions
 

With all your fat, I don't think you float either.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
First, it's not a lesser GPS.

Does your GPS float? I'm afraid it is a lesser GPS.

RB

basic gps questions
 

Who's the ugly woman with the funny hat?

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Prove it.


Sure.

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/page1.html

RB

basic gps questions
 

That's why they call him bob.

OzOne wrote in message ...
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:52:18 -0800, "Jonathan Ganz"
scribbled thusly:

With all your fat, I don't think you float either.

Oooops, he's flaot like a cork.


Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.

basic gps questions
 

RB

In the case as well as out?


Why would I EVER take them out? I have my old Olympus for actually taking
pictures on board.

RB

basic gps questions
 

OzOne wrote:

On 20 Jan 2004 23:22:43 GMT, (Bobsprit) scribbled
thusly:


First, it's not a lesser GPS.

Does your GPS float? I'm afraid it is a lesser GPS.

RB


Yeah, but being a lesser human being who's likely to throw expensive
electronics overboard, you need a floater.
Do your cameras float too?


Wouldn't the more important question be: Does his **** sink?

Cheers

basic gps questions
 

Did any one else notice the 'continuity mistakes' in the sequence of
pictures? Booby you are not telling a true story!

Cheers

Bobsprit wrote:

Prove it.


Sure.

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/page1.html

RB

basic gps questions
 

Booby you are not telling a true story!



Bwahahahahahha!


RB

basic gps questions
 

If I should fall over while singlehanding, I will have with me a working
(waterproof, floating) GPS and a working waterproof, floating) VHF handheld in
addition to an epirb. You'd be amazed at how much help they will be in such a
situation. Damn, even my flashlight floats!!!

Alright...I have an Icom M1v, but it will sink like a rock. Which one floats
without a special case??? I'll run out and buy it today!
Meanwhile...my Fujinon Binoculars also float and without a strap!

RB

basic gps questions
 

MC wrote:

Did any one else notice the 'continuity mistakes' in the sequence of
pictures? Booby you are not telling a true story!


Did any one notice he still hasn't figured out how jiffy reefing works?

Cheers
Marty