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Garmin GPS Experiences 03
While using the Garmin Geko 201 over the past four years we discovered that as careful as you try to be these units take a beating. Thomas's Geko ended up with so many scratches on the screen the data was difficult to read. Even portions of the outer case were broken off. But it still worked perfectly and is still being carried as a backup.
But this time we decided to buy a protective case.
We bought a Garmin brand case online as we didn't want a third party "almost designed to fit" solution. This works with cameras and other stuff but this had to be specific.
It turns out that the case takes nothing from it. It's a snug fit, padded and very pliable.
At first we assumed that the plastic cover would make operation awkward. But in fact the vinyl (we assume) is soft and does not hinder the use of the buttons at all. And for sure our nice new color screen is now protected. There'll be no dust in the cracks of these buttons!
It's so nice when something is designed correctly. You can see here that the case accommodates the belt clip, the lanyard and antenna. This is a real improvement.
Continuing our conversation about accuracy.
You'll recall from the previous page that our support contact at Garmin stated that a "consumer GPS is not capable of less than +/- sub-3 meter (~9 feet) accuracy."
Well, we have a reader who contacted us and submitted this photo:
It clearly shows an accuracy reading of +/- 6 FT.
We can't explain it but it is encouraging. Our new 60Cx hasn't given us a reading under eleven feet so far. Comments?
We sent this photo to Garmin with an inquiry as to how this is possible and we received this reply:
"Thank you for contacting Garmin International. 11 feet for the 60Cx is very good. 6 feet for the 60 is unusual for sure but obviously not impossible given the photo. It could be that the confidence level of the GPS 60 reporting its actual position is less accurate that the GPSMAP 60Cx. I wonder how the two compare under heavy tree or cloud cover. In these conditions, I would expect the 60Cx to maintain good accuracy given its high-sensitivity chip, and I would expect the 60 to drift because it is less reliable under said conditions.
At any rate, consumer GPS is not perfect and the devices can report some rather upsetting information at times as they are not professional survey tools. The best advice we can give is to use your GPS unit as a guide, not as the absolute definition of what is happening. If you require greater accuracy than I recommend a GPS that is not designed for recreational purposes."
We're not sure that this is a real answer. We may have surprised them.
06.13.09... Input from reader who lives in Sedona.
This person is running parallel to us in that he just acquired a new Garmin GPS unit and is working on a MAC computer and is trying to solve the same issues.
He also is testing what happens when you connect your computer to the GPS unit via USB. He has purchased the Topo DVD from Garmin. Here's some results:
He took his new GPS with him on a local hike (he lives in Sedona, Arizona) to the summit of Capitol Butte. He drew this map of his hike by hand by scanning a topo map and hand drawing the hike in a blue line. This is how he traditionally has done it. Time to compare.
This image is the result of installing Garmin's BaseCamp software, connecting his GPS to his MAC via a USB cable, and importing his track log from this hike.
This version is the result of using Garmin software to interface with Google Earth.
So, now dear reader, we hope we have provided you with a glimpse into what obviously is missing from so many web sites that talk about these function but do not show it. Our thanks to our friend in Sedona!
More on the 24K topo DVD from Garmin.
Item shown as advertised by Garmin. Works on PC and/or MAC. Running an INSTALL program copies the contents to your computer's hard drive.
It also installs small applications like BaseCamp and MapInstall, although probably not the latest versions. In our case we had to downlaod and re-install the latest versions of each.
Opening MapInstall presents you with the North America master map conating all of Garmin's proprietory map quadrants. Using the visual tools at the bottom of the page you find your way to the portion you purchased.
This "area 2" DVD, the one we purchased, contains the quadrant maps for the four corners state of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, all joined together for seamless viewing.
Here is a screen shot showing how you select the portions of the master map for downoad into your GPS unit. This large selection requires a 2 GB SD chip. Our contributor reports, "Installing the selected map information on the data card went fine but it took two to three hours for the process which involves preparing the data, compressing and loading, all automatic. No intervention is required once started so you just let it grind away in the background." (Results using a MAC)
Of course, selecting just a few quadrants will require less space, a smaller SD Chip and less time to download. But once this is done everything is in place and the clean topo lines of your map in in the background of your GPS unit. We were extremely satisfied with the result, albeit quite expensive.
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As we've reported already, we also have MacGPSpro software for comparison with the Garmin MAC software. For the most part we like the MacGPSpro program better. Tracks record cleaner to our eye with less clutter. SAVED files (waymarks and tracks) can be transfered between the program if you are careful about saving in the right format. Files seem to move in and out of the GPS unit easily with either program. Each software package has its own editing abilities, and we anticipate they both will upgrade regularly.
For Thomas' use, of mapping archaeological sites, permanent waymarks that are referenced over and over in the future, he tends to use MacGPSpro software the most. He has transfered waymarks from the GPS unit into the software, saved it as a database where he edits the symbols, etc., and the periodically deletes everything in the 60 CX GPS unit, then loading a completely clean and up to date waymark record back into the GPS prior to a new hike. He can create a new track of the day's movement, being aware then of where he is in relationship to past records, and adding new ones as he goes. At the end of the episode he transfers only the waymarks back into MacGPSpro creating an updated database of all mapped sites in the area of survey. This combination provides the optimum solution. The end result of this experiment is complete satisfaction.
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