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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Pitboot on 16:58:42, 27/04/19

Title: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Pitboot on 16:58:42, 27/04/19
Recently after reading threads concerning various anomalies with Garmin GPS units I decided to dust mine off and check it. Mine too was stuck on a certain date, 2011, and I could not get it to reset, I tried all suggestions several times, to no avail, my unit was stuck in 2011.


(As I recall I bought it as a positive backup for when I was supervising cadets on expeditions, D of E etc, an accurate fix and confirmation of location in case of emergency. I've never really wanted to or had to use it for routine navigation.)



Today I woke up and prepared for my night shift, I thought it would be a good idea to check the etrex again and maybe tinker with it tonight at work, so I switched it on.


It's now showing the correct date so I assume something happened while it was asleep!


I find all of the software and updates from Garmin to very tedious, boring, and confusing, so it's got to go.
For a device that is supposed to make life a little easier it has been nothing but an expensive, exasperating, pain in the posterior, I'll stick with map and compass. 
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: sussamb on 17:03:35, 27/04/19
Never had a problem with mine  :)
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 17:08:56, 27/04/19
I don't understand - you got a gps that you haven't used for a long time.  You finally updated its software so now it should be good to go and now you want rid?  Software updates are usually fairly quick, especially if you keep it the unit to date and they really don't occur that often.  Never mind, Rob Goes Walking is looking for one - why don't you PM him?
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:22:30, 27/04/19
Yes I need a backup GPS, I was going to buy the most simple of devices you can get one that just gives a grid reference but I could be persuaded to go for something more advanced although that means I'd also need a cheap laptop just for Basecamp. Walking is supposed to be free, why are my credit cards so full?!

What GPS is it Pitboot if you want rid?
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: taxino8 on 18:37:44, 27/04/19
Yes I need a backup GPS, I was going to buy the most simple of devices you can get one that just gives a grid reference but I could be persuaded to go for something more advanced although that means I'd also need a cheap laptop just for Basecamp. Walking is supposed to be free, why are my credit cards so full?!

What GPS is it Pitboot if you want rid?
I’ve just upgraded to a Garmin 64, I’ve now got a Garmin 60CX doing nowt, you’re welcome to have it f.o.c., just pm me your address and I’ll post it to you next week.
There’s nothing wrong with it, I’m just a bit of a gadget freak and wanted a new one.
This has a basic map on it and can’t be upgraded but it will track you, etc and give you a grid reference.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:44:54, 27/04/19
That's really good of you taxino8 I've PM'd you. Wow, thanks!
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 19:02:13, 27/04/19
Nice one Taxino8  O0
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 19:06:27, 27/04/19
Good man!
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: taxino8 on 19:17:55, 27/04/19
It’s better being used than sat in my desk drawer plus less clutter in my desk.
It’s in a padded bag, addressed and ready to post when I get the chance next week.
It’s actually a 60CS not a CX.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:26:46, 27/04/19
O0 :) Legend.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 19:30:38, 27/04/19
More reading https://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf (https://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf)
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: taxino8 on 19:32:54, 27/04/19
More reading https://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf (https://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf)
It’s a CS, not a CSX, it think the difference is the CSX can take a memory card for maps but the 60CS doesn’t have that option.
The basic operation will be the same though.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 19:35:57, 27/04/19
Make sure you use good batteries, i.e. Duracell. A GPS will fairly chomp through poor batteries. Also carry spares. I use one of these to store them in
https://www.negeocachingsupplies.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=83_117&product_id=202 (https://www.negeocachingsupplies.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=83_117&product_id=202)


I stack them in opposite ends opposed when they're good. Lined up when they're bad. That way when I get home I know which to replace / recharge.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:49:39, 27/04/19
Good tip Hillhiker1, pity it doesn't have an off-route alarm I can find on Google or it could replace ViewRanger as my primary GPS and I could leave the phone connection on (when there is one). I've only used that feature once but there's been a couple of times it would have been handy had I had it on and I've wandered a couple of hundred metres the wrong way.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 19:53:59, 27/04/19
Good tip Hillhiker1, pity it doesn't have an off-route alarm I can find on Google or it could replace ViewRanger as my primary GPS and I could leave the phone connection on (when there is one). I've only used that feature once but there's been a couple of times it would have been handy had I had it on and I've wandered a couple of hundred metres the wrong way.
  Yes it does - page 73.  Like the Etrex, it is a maritime function   (ctrl-F is a useful tool)
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 19:54:43, 27/04/19
Phone for phone calls, GPS for navigating..
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: alan de enfield on 20:21:24, 27/04/19
Phone for phone calls, GPS for navigating..



Agree.


When the GPS battery is flat you can still call for help - or, when the phone battery is flat you still know your way home.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 20:28:03, 27/04/19
Make sure you use good batteries, i.e. Duracell. A GPS will fairly chomp through poor batteries. Also carry spares. I use one of these to store them in
https://www.negeocachingsupplies.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=83_117&product_id=202 (https://www.negeocachingsupplies.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=83_117&product_id=202)


I stack them in opposite ends opposed when they're good. Lined up when they're bad. That way when I get home I know which to replace / recharge.
Can't speak for this model but the batteries in my Etrex30 last multiple trips.  I use Duracell.  Always have 2 sets of spares in a ziplock bag.  Check the battery display before you set off to see if you have enough charge for the trip.  Change before you leave home - best to use the spares from your pack and replace them to ensure battery rotation (I found that out the hard way)
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:31:16, 27/04/19
When the GPS battery is flat you can still call for help - or, when the phone battery is flat you still know your way home.

I take a USB power brick in a zip lock bag with me (leave it in my backpack actually, this is it's only job) capable of recharging my phone more than twice and the phone battery lasts over 9 hours in GPS only usage. I'll also be carrying spare batteries for the GPS. Something really terrible would have had to happen for me to run out of power, broken leg and no phone signal maybe.

Ninthace you need a battery charge meter to check your batteries! Or did you leave the spares there until they went out of date?
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 20:34:24, 27/04/19
Ninthace you need a battery charge meter to check your batteries!
Gps has a cell display - that is good enough.  When it is down to 2, I swap (perhaps 3 if the next walk is going to be a long one.
Did you spot page 73?
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:42:14, 27/04/19
Gps has a cell display - that is good enough.  When it is down to 2, I swap (perhaps 3 if the next walk is going to be a long one.
Did you spot page 73?

I'll just carry 2 lots of spares and let the batteries run flat I think, swapping them before they run out seems wasteful.

I had a look at the Marine setup page yes and checked it was the same in the manual for the earlier model taxino8 has kindly gifted me (it is).
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Pitboot on 21:05:15, 27/04/19
I don't understand - you got a gps that you haven't used for a long time.  You finally updated its software so now it should be good to go and now you want rid?  Software updates are usually fairly quick, especially if you keep it the unit to date and they really don't occur that often.  Never mind, Rob Goes Walking is looking for one - why don't you PM him?
Sorry for the delay in my response, a busy few hours at start of shift.
The time and date is now reset. Can't say the same re the software. It's an etrex summit HC, no slot for extra memory so the maps it can store are limited. Downloading another map is a cumbersome process, and you have to erase previous maps to get any useful memory. I would offer it for sale except that I don't want to saddle the buyer with faulty goods, if that is the problem, and in any case it's obsolete by current standards.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 21:08:33, 27/04/19
I don't swap my batteries until the GPS beeps to tell me they're low, and even then I just keep my eye on things. They'll still last a couple of hours or more in that that state.  :D
If it beeps when I power it up I change them there and then to save me faffing about with it later.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: alan de enfield on 21:17:23, 27/04/19
My GPS has Lithium batteries which last 12 hours +
I just re-charge / top up every night from my 'power bank' or Solar panel (if the Sun is still shining)



It has an 'adapter cradle' which in an emergency could use 3x AA batteries but never needed.


Every thing is rechargeable from either the power bank or the solar panel.


VHF Radio transceiver
Kindle
Head Lamp
Garmin GPS Watch
SatMap GPS
Phone


The power bank recharges from the solar panel.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: taxino8 on 21:28:09, 27/04/19
I use Eneloop Pro rechargeable in mine and carry one spare set. They store for months without losing charge and last for ages.
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: sussamb on 21:48:54, 27/04/19
I use them too, they are excellent  O0
Title: Re: GPS conundrum.
Post by: ninthace on 21:50:00, 27/04/19
Sorry for the delay in my response, a busy few hours at start of shift.
The time and date is now reset. Can't say the same re the software. It's an etrex summit HC, no slot for extra memory so the maps it can store are limited. Downloading another map is a cumbersome process, and you have to erase previous maps to get any useful memory. I would offer it for sale except that I don't want to saddle the buyer with faulty goods, if that is the problem, and in any case it's obsolete by current standards.
Now I understand.  I had an Etrex Summit ages ago, went through batteries so fast I kept it switched off.  I could load routes but it had no map capability so all you saw on the screen was a wiggly line - got quite good at bendology.  Useful too for recovering the line if you strayed but basically it was very much a back up to map reading.  It still sold me on gps though because it never got lost.  ViewRanger was in its infancy and only run on Symbian phones.  It was a battery gobbler too.  While there was a map of sorts the software itself was horrid.  I wouldn't bin the gps though - send it to the Science Museum.