[Rockhounds] Google Earth question

[DonH]

R. Peter Richards wrote:
> This recent thread, especially the part that relates to GPS, prompts  me 
> to plumb the experience of GPS users.  


Plumbian GPS users... time to get the lead out...

Well, I have always used Garmin; a GPS III+, a GPS V that got lost in 
the field because it was BLACK, and now a gray GPS 60CSx with 6 ft. of 
pink flagging tape tied to it.  They were all state-of-the art at time 
of purchase, and all serve(d)very well.

I think many brands do the same thing as far as navigating, it is a 
matter of bells and whistles--for example, mine has more memory so I can 
store more detailed topo maps, and it has a color display (though I 
suspect most of them do now).  It interfaces to my laptop (as do many), 
is water-resistant, lasts a long time on batteries, can be powered from 
the USB port, locks on quickly, and best of all has a 
super-hetero-DNA-helix antenna (or something like that) that cuts 
through all but the deepest forest cover.  To me, that is the most 
important thing now!  The first time I got really lost, I had my GPS V 
and my laptop with TopoUSA, but could not get satellites.  Now I rarely 
have that problem.

The good thing is that the Garmin website has a listing of all their 
models, along with features and software bundles, and prices from very 
low to crazy high.  You want to know about the number of waypoints it 
stores.  There is also a "backtrack" or "breadcrumb" feature, as it is 
called on some of them, if you are interested in getting back out the 
way you came in.  Me, I use the tracking feature in TopoUSA on my 
laptop, so I'm not sure how many back-track waypoints mine stores, but 
it can store a healthy amount.

Be aware that there are two general GPS camps these days: the automotive 
navigators, and the field units.  The auto GPSs have neat features like 
voice commands and point-of-view perspective, and you can do things like 
find nearby restaurants, but these are not meant for field use.

Hope this helps... and you can always call the 800 number of Garmin (or 
Magellan) and ask questions.  I have found that the major GPS companies 
are very helpful about choosing a product.

Good luck,
Don