My first GPS

[Moondog55]

Well I finally did it
But don't all celebrate as it is not a good unit
It was however cheap
I bought it on the recommendation of the manager of the local BCF store as a learning tool
$29- at Rays in Nth Geelong
Lowrance iGo2 and I am just reading the instructions now

[GPSGuided]

Good on you MD55! A basic unit will have some compromises in the technology but you'll gain a taste of it. At the same time, any limitation you discover may not be an indication of the technology as a whole. Have fun!

[Moondog55]

Well for a start it can't find a signal inside the house The mapping however is pretty good for an old unit
map is good to about 300 metres[ Only major roads are shown] but it is a taste of what they can do

[GPSGuided]

Older/slower units take more time to get a lock and to fine tune the resolution. So give it time to work with an open sky.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

It won't get a fix inside a house.

GPS signals are, in fact, incredibly weak.

You need an open view to the sky.

And before someone tells me otherwise, mobile phones use additional systems and software to show their location when inside.

Take it outside and give it a good view of the sky. If it has had flat batteries for a while or you've changed the batteries out, it will also take much longer to ascertain position.

[beean]

I'm keen to know if it's any good Moondog. I'm thinking I should get a gps as the one on my phone never works.

I haven't been truly lost yet but I think carrying one could be a good insurance plan.

[Moondog55]

Since reading the instructions to set the local time while in view of the satellites it acquires much faster. I can see how useful these would be as an adjunct to map and compass
The Boss wants me to get one that shows her my location and that has a "Help me; I'm in trouble" function ie EPIRB like function built in

This unit has taught me that I really do need a much more sensitive unit with much better so $29- well spent

[beean]

Well a friend recently got a Delorme Inreach. He takes it on all our adventures, keeps his misso happy, and he enjoys seeing the trip tracked out on GPS afterwards. Much better than a SPOT I'm told.

[Zone-5]

Check them out on Amazon, they get a great approval rating from users, well done!

To get them to work best you have to allow the 12 sat data registers to fill up first == cold boot.

So what does this mean? Put the thing outside under the full sky for about 15 mins before you use it on a hike, then it will be super accurate.

It's like a calibrate, every GPS needs it else it's takes a while on the hike giving you distance errors at the start if not done.

After that and before the next Battery change it will be == warm boots with an instant sat data loc...

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Look here for GPS + Map navigation tips and instructions... viewtopic.php?f=21&t=15200

[Zone-5]

Since reading the instructions to set the local time while in view of the satellites it acquires much faster. I can see how useful these would be as an adjunct to map and compass
The Boss wants me to get one that shows her my location and that has a "Help me; I'm in trouble" function ie EPIRB like function built in

This unit has taught me that I really do need a much more sensitive unit with much better so $29- well spent

Ok, Etrex 30 on sale at JB HiFi $75 off retail...

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/gps-car-audio ... nit/84960/

...go for it!

I have had the Etrex 20 for years and for what it is it's not too bad!