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08/05/2006 04:25:56 PM · #1 |
I just won a Garmin eTrex Adventure Pack GPS unit in a local photo contest. It came with a gift receipt so I COULD return it for cash (about $99) I have never used one of these before. I am aware of it's purpose, but what do you guys REALLY use your GPS units for? Is it worth keeping? I could use the money to make prints or help pay for a trip to NYC, or anything else. What do you guys think? Does it stay or does it go back?
drake |
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08/05/2006 04:34:51 PM · #2 |
Do you go hiking on a regular basis?
If you don't think you will use it, take it back and buy something for you r camera. |
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08/05/2006 04:38:10 PM · #3 |
I do go hiking quite a bit. but I haven't needed one yet. I generally stay on trails and I can't imagine why I would need a GPS. I might not be thinking about a creative way to use it though.
drake |
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08/05/2006 04:39:56 PM · #4 |
may I suggest geocaching?
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08/05/2006 05:06:47 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by erschmitt:
may I suggest geocaching? |
That would be my suggestion as well. |
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08/05/2006 05:10:24 PM · #6 |
you can mark location where you took certain shots...
save tracks... geocaching is also a very nice ...
i have one and it comes to need quite alot..
for instance suppose you were in an infamiliar place and you come across something interesting, you can mark it on the GPS so that you can locate again if you want to... you can also see your waypoint and marks on google earth... neat
Message edited by author 2006-08-05 17:11:29. |
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08/05/2006 05:25:38 PM · #7 |
anyone have any canon equipment they want to trade?
drake |
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08/05/2006 06:25:01 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by fstopopen:
I do go hiking quite a bit. but I haven't needed one yet. I generally stay on trails and I can't imagine why I would need a GPS. |
I like to go shooting (pictures) early in the morning. It's fun just to get out and wander, sometimes on the trails, sometimes off. Without a GPS I spend a lot more time watching what trails I'm on and keeping track of how to get back. With the GPS - I just go. I've never had to worry about how to get back. Sometimes I make it back the same way I went. Sometimes it's a completely different route. But that's okay, the GPS knows where I started from and exactly how far and what direction I have to go to get there.
I've also used it while running marathons (both during practice and on race day). It's fun to keep track of how far and how fast I'm going.
I love it.
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08/05/2006 06:34:42 PM · #9 |
I use mine to find my way back to the boat ramp in the fog after tending crab pots. It is indispensable.
Also, for kicks, I marked the center of each green on my favorite golf course. Now it gives me the distance in yards/feet from my position to the green regardless of what the course markers say.
It can also be loaded with street maps and used to find addresses but the resolution of a hand-held doesn't really cut it.
You could probably find a bunch of uses but a $99 Garmin is really pretty much a low-end toy. I think in your case, I would use the money elsewhere.
Dick
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08/05/2006 06:56:03 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by dickwilhelm:
You could probably find a bunch of uses but a $99 Garmin is really pretty much a low-end toy. I think in your case, I would use the money elsewhere. |
That's the thing... It's low end. The $99 won't get you far toward any really cool toys so it's better to keep it. A toy in hand is better than ... |
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08/05/2006 07:02:46 PM · #11 |
I have a Garmin GPS unit I love it. It has kept me from getting lost several times.
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08/05/2006 07:21:49 PM · #12 |
| You could add the co-ords from your GPS-unit to the exif-info of your pictures. Opens a world of opportunities. |
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08/05/2006 07:41:52 PM · #13 |
GPS have lots of uses and fun too. BUT .. that one is a real basic one, no maps. If you can get $99 I'de sell it and get one that has maps, roads etc. For a basic emergency it's fine. Go check out www.geocaching.com
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08/05/2006 07:52:30 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
Originally posted by erschmitt:
may I suggest geocaching? |
That would be my suggestion as well. |
I'll third that suggestion.
I also use it a lot when travelling. You can't enter an address and have it point the way, but you can get the coordinates for any street address with Google Earth and it will tell you what direction and how far to your destination. You still have to figure out how to get there, but if you follow the arrow, it will guide you to the right spot. It's been very useful when I have to drive to someplace in Chicago.
I think the e-trex adventure pack is what I have and it includes both the basemap and detailed maps (on the CD's) for the whole U.S.
edit: I checked and I have the e trex Legend. I think the one you have is the plain e-trex. I'd sell it and get one that has topo maps you can load.
Message edited by author 2006-08-05 19:55:40. |
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08/05/2006 07:59:16 PM · #15 |
that caching thing looks fun as hell-- I entered my zip 49237-- Just a Village of like 3000 people, and it had entry's
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08/05/2006 08:20:01 PM · #16 |
Geocaching is incredibly fun and interesting.
-Hideo |
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08/05/2006 09:42:01 PM · #17 |
My wife jokes that I don't go to the bathroom anymore without my GPS. I am definitely addicted to it. Actually, I have three of them, so I'm addicted to *them*.
My newest one will autoroute to any point. So if I set a waypoint, I can choose "go to" and it will give me turn by turn instructions, estimated time of arrival (which is remarkably accurate) and so forth.
And I'm very much into Geocaching. I'm coming up on my 750th find very soon. Find me on that site, also as "alanfreed".
So what I'm trying to say is: KEEP IT! It's an incredible device, and they sure are handy! |
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08/05/2006 10:27:15 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by alanfreed:
My wife jokes that I don't go to the bathroom anymore without my GPS. I am definitely addicted to it. Actually, I have three of them, so I'm addicted to *them*.
My newest one will autoroute to any point. So if I set a waypoint, I can choose "go to" and it will give me turn by turn instructions, estimated time of arrival (which is remarkably accurate) and so forth.
And I'm very much into Geocaching. I'm coming up on my 750th find very soon. Find me on that site, also as "alanfreed".
So what I'm trying to say is: KEEP IT! It's an incredible device, and they sure are handy! |
WOW ... I think I still have four or five laying around, handheld and car mount. Three with color maps and auto-routing and a couple of older ones. I'm at 1200 geocaches, haven't done many lately ... too much photo stuff. I go by DespicableD2 at geocashing. DespicableD2 was my tactical callsign flying fighter aircraft ... can't figure out why .. I thought I was a pretty nice guy ;) |
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