[pct-l] Follow-up to the earlier GPS discussion

[Ken Powers]

Eventually you will hit a GPS model dependent limit in the number of 
Trackpoints. Trackpoints are the dots used to draw the track (line) on the 
GPS window. If you space the number of tackpoints further apart you can get 
longer tracks. Unfortunately the track is less accurate without those lost 
points. I find that switchbacks seem to be the first to be lost. The lost 
trackpoints affect the mileage of the track also. (Suddenly your mileage may 
drop from 20 miles to 18.5 miles.)

No GPS can hold enough trackpoints to map even one state on the PCT to my 
satisfaction. The alternative is to store the tracks on flash memory and 
load new tracks from computers along the trail. I suggest using the free 
software GPSBabel to load the tracks and waypoints for upcoming trail. I 
have successfully put GPSBabel onto flash memory cards with the tracks to 
reload my GPS.

Ken
www GottaWalk com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sir Mix-a-lot" <atetuna at hotmail.com>
To: <halfmile at pctmap.net>; "'PCT MailingList'" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 8:03 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Follow-up to the earlier GPS discussion


A bit off topic, but I found that you can upload multiple tracks by
repeatedly uploading & downloading tracks to your garmin gps. I haven't
tested the limits yet, but I've at least uploaded sections A-D, including
the San Jacinto alternate routes. Here's an example of how I do it:

1. Open section A tracks in Mapsource and upload it to the gps. Now section
A is on the gps.
2. Open section B tracks in Mapsource and then download the tracks from the
gps. Now sections A-B are open in Mapsource. Upload this to the gps. Now
sections A-B are on the gps.
3. Open section 3 tracks in Mapsource and then download the tracks from the
gps. Now sections A-C are open in Mapsource. Upload this to the gps. Now
sections A-C are on the gps.
4. And on and on...

It's tedious, but works for me.

I am using an Oregon 550.

Sir Mix-a-lot

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Halfmile
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 5:35 AM
To: PCT MailingList
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Follow-up to the earlier GPS discussion

For most hikers I recommend either a Garmin Dakota 20 or a Garmin
eTrex Vista HCx. You will probably also want to purchase a 4 GB
microSD card and the Garmin TOPO U.S. 24K West DVD. Get the DVD don't
buy the maps preloaded on a card.

The Dakota 20 is a newer model and has the capacity to store large
amounts of track data. The Vista HCx can only store a limited amount
of track data. Both can hold an almost unlimited number of waypoints
if you load them as custom points of interest.


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