Question about hand held GPS units. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mill · 11-24-2003, 09:52 AM

I am looking for a hand held GPS unit that I can use for measuring speed and distance while running/biking, and a map displayed for travelling out of town and boating.

I have held off buying one over the years because of price and the fact that they don't work well in the city or under tree cover, and were not accurate enough for running.

All the sites I have found on the web are either high tech GPS, or selling stuff and don't give an honest opinion.

Anyone recommend a GPS that works well for what I discribed or a site with good reviews?

onetime2 · 11-24-2003, 10:52 AM

For biking a computer would be a better alternative if you're just looking for speed and distance. The size of a gps unit and the chance of turning it into a worthless hunk of plastic/metal in a crash are just too great for me.

I have a handheld garmin etrex legend which is pretty good. Seems to eat batteries though. I use it boating, hiking, and in my car. It sometimes has spotty reception in the car and on the boat though. It's typically accurate to around 30 to 50 ft. I have definitely found it useful when I had to find an alternate route around a major highway accident.

Mill · 11-24-2003, 01:38 PM

I was thinking of the etrex legend. It seems to be the most flexable for the money. Too bad it's still a little to expansive to ask for a Christmas present.

Thanks.

Cynthetiq · 11-24-2003, 02:32 PM

this product

The Timex Ironman Speed & Distance consists of two pieces: a GPS reciever and a watch/monitor that are wirelessly connected by a radio signal. The reciever scans the skies for satellite signals looking for the best geometric solution (through a process called "triangulation

and transmits precise speed, distance and pace readings to the watch in real time. While GPS tecnology is most commonly used as a navigational tool, the satellites are equiped with atomic clocks, making it possible to get speed and distance data with pinpoint accuracy. Available with Black band (buckle).

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/goldeney...gpsspeedd.html

my friends who bike like theirs

Mill · 11-25-2003, 07:19 AM

I talked with people with the Timex GPS watch. It sometimes has a hard time picking up the satalites around buildings, trees, or with the receiver under a heavy jacket. I don't think it averages out speeds for when it is out of range either.

Garmin has a wrist receiver that is pretty good. http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner201/
It's full release is delayed.

shakran · 11-25-2003, 09:07 PM

I used to use a Garmin Streetpilot III in my work vehicle until I switched to a laptop-based voice command system. I LOVED the Garmin. It was a very solidly made GPS, graphics were clear, and it worked VERY reliably, even in tunnels/canyons/anywhere. Can't imagine the quality of their handhelds would be any different.

splck · 11-25-2003, 09:28 PM

I have a garmin etrex too. I use it while in the woods while hunting. The unit does everything I could ask for and I'm really happy with it.

11-24-2003, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mill Psycho Location: Center of the Universe	Question about hand held GPS units. I am looking for a hand held GPS unit that I can use for measuring speed and distance while running/biking, and a map displayed for travelling out of town and boating. I have held off buying one over the years because of price and the fact that they don't work well in the city or under tree cover, and were not accurate enough for running. All the sites I have found on the web are either high tech GPS, or selling stuff and don't give an honest opinion. Anyone recommend a GPS that works well for what I discribed or a site with good reviews?

11-24-2003, 10:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	For biking a computer would be a better alternative if you're just looking for speed and distance. The size of a gps unit and the chance of turning it into a worthless hunk of plastic/metal in a crash are just too great for me. I have a handheld garmin etrex legend which is pretty good. Seems to eat batteries though. I use it boating, hiking, and in my car. It sometimes has spotty reception in the car and on the boat though. It's typically accurate to around 30 to 50 ft. I have definitely found it useful when I had to find an alternate route around a major highway accident. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

11-24-2003, 02:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	this product The Timex Ironman Speed & Distance consists of two pieces: a GPS reciever and a watch/monitor that are wirelessly connected by a radio signal. The reciever scans the skies for satellite signals looking for the best geometric solution (through a process called "triangulationand transmits precise speed, distance and pace readings to the watch in real time. While GPS tecnology is most commonly used as a navigational tool, the satellites are equiped with atomic clocks, making it possible to get speed and distance data with pinpoint accuracy. Available with Black band (buckle). http://shop.store.yahoo.com/goldeney...gpsspeedd.html my friends who bike like theirs __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-25-2003, 09:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	I have a garmin etrex too. I use it while in the woods while hunting. The unit does everything I could ask for and I'm really happy with it. __________________ nice line eh?

11-24-2003, 01:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mill Psycho Location: Center of the Universe	I was thinking of the etrex legend. It seems to be the most flexable for the money. Too bad it's still a little to expansive to ask for a Christmas present. Thanks.

11-25-2003, 07:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mill Psycho Location: Center of the Universe	I talked with people with the Timex GPS watch. It sometimes has a hard time picking up the satalites around buildings, trees, or with the receiver under a heavy jacket. I don't think it averages out speeds for when it is out of range either. Garmin has a wrist receiver that is pretty good. http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner201/ It's full release is delayed.

11-25-2003, 09:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	I used to use a Garmin Streetpilot III in my work vehicle until I switched to a laptop-based voice command system. I LOVED the Garmin. It was a very solidly made GPS, graphics were clear, and it worked VERY reliably, even in tunnels/canyons/anywhere. Can't imagine the quality of their handhelds would be any different.