Thread: GPS suggestions

Originally Posted by crappieseeker

Jerry Blake, what about the geko 201. Do you think it would be good? I basically just wanna mark some brush and be able to find my way back to the launch areas on these lakes that are new and unfamiliar to me.

Hey Seeker:

The Geko 201 is a good unit. It is WAAS enabled (have to turn it on though) and the only real difference between it and the 301 is that the compass on the 201 will only work while you are moving and the compass will work on the 301 when you are sitting still. I bought two 201s for a couple old-timers out at Greeson that don't have computers to search for a good deal on-line. I got them from Walmart.com for about $120.

If anyone is looking for data or power cables I've got a good source where they are about 1/3 the price they are from Garmin - I'll have to dig it up.

These power cables allow the unit to lay flat and you can stick it down with Velcro. The power cords from Garmin have a large plug on the end, which makes mounting a bit more difficult.

I made a base for mine from an old plastic cutting board and Velcro. I'll take a pic if anyone is interested.

The legend comes with a data cable but the Gekos do not. Neither come with power cables and you will want one unless you own stock in Duracell.

Garmin has warnings on their website that they do not honor warranties on GPS units purchased from on-line auctions so be aware of that.

Hey Crappieseeker,

I use mostly land marks on the lake but I do have a Magellan Sportrack map That I use while Hunting or hiking. I have used it on tops and I do mean way smaller tops than I put in just mainly to see if I could find them. I got the co-ordinates off of another GPS and went to the tops like a moth to a flame. This GPS is way more accurate than the first 2 that I had due to WAAS system. I really like this GPS but don't use the map feature that much at all. What I do like about is I have a Map program that I can use my waypoint co-ordinates and make my own map on the computer. I think Wal-Mart sells the same Sportrack in a version that is not a Map edition. One of my buds used it in Colorado earlier this year and it is basically the same unit as mine just no maps. Would be perfect for what you want it for and I think Wallie World sells it for around 130 dollars. Just something else for you to investigate....LOL

Here's a link for the place I've gotten power cables from twice -

Garmin Cables

They sell on eBay but they have "Buy It Now" sales so you don't have to mess around with bidding. I've not tried thier data cables but have been happy with the power cables - seem to be good quality.

I wired in a couple of 12-volt outlets (that came with electric knives) under the dash and front deck and taped the plug end of the power cord - which also converst from 12 to 3-volts - into the outlets and brought the other ends up close to where I use the units so there are no cords dangling around.

Here's a link for the Waypoint Managing Program I use - EasyGPS

You can download it for free and use it to upload, download, store, sort and map your waypoints. You can even order a printed map that has your waypoints on it - not free.

Hey Jerry,
That is a very good program isn't it? I just started using it and have also found a program for distance calculations. If anyone might want it I will look up the link. Just let me know

Hey Tommy:

Yep, I like it. I upload my waypoints from my Geko (where I do most all my marking of waypoints) to my puter every few months or more often if I've been putting out brush or finding brushpiles. Then I download everything to my Etrex Legend so they both have the same info.

Just noticed this article on MSNBC about GPS - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6392007/

But I have read about how the things work so I know that the more satellites that are in view the better the accuracy the unit will have.

The Garmin eTrax Vista that I use can see 12 satellites at one time if they are in view of that spot on the earth. I can also see satellite number 35 which is the WAAS Satellite down near the Equator. When I receive satellite #35 I know that I am getting the WAAS correction signal and that each bar on the screen shows a "D" inside the bar which tells me that the sateliite signal is more accurate at that moment. And the screen will display the accuray at that time in the display.

Remember that even with the best resolution ( getting many different satellite signals at that time and the waas satellite signal ) your accuracy will still be limited to PLUS OR MINUS THREE METERs or 10ft. Most of the time I get about plus or minus 12 to 25ft. It all depends on where you are located and where the satelites are in the sky at that time.

I saw somewhere the other day that showed where all the different satellite were in the sky and it would tell you the times of the day for each day of the year that you could see the most satellites and get the best accuray. So if you were mapping with your gps you would want to do it at a time in your location where you got the best satellite coverage possible.

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

If you are computer savvy, get one that you can interface with your p.c.
This capability allows you to upload and download waypoints, routes, etc. and save them. Also allows you to edit waypoints, etc. with your pc. Adding waypoints by hand is as bitch. Be sure that the unit you buy is WAAS capable. Also the more receivers it has, the better the tracking. One thing to remember is that these things don't particularly hone in on the closest satalites. It is an arbutrator. It looks for the best deal at that time and incidence in real time to let you know where you are. So, the more channels, the better. Does this make sense to anyone?

I have a Garmin 76. I love it. It floats. Thank goodness.

MY 2 cents worth,

Cane Pole