Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
#11
03-22-2008, 01:06 PM
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California Desert
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RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
ORIGINAL: soos
You bring up an interesting point and a good idea. I just so happened to have purchased a Garmin handheld GPSMap 60 unit. My wife and I are trying something new to us (but not to many others) called Geocaching. Its a high tech version of treasure hunting so to speak. Anyway I have been wrestling with the unit for almost a week now and I haven't been able to understand any of it. I am about to throw it against the wall from shear frustration. I wonder whether or not it was worth buying.
You bring up an interesting point and a good idea. I just so happened to have purchased a Garmin handheld GPSMap 60 unit. My wife and I are trying something new to us (but not to many others) called Geocaching. Its a high tech version of treasure hunting so to speak. Anyway I have been wrestling with the unit for almost a week now and I haven't been able to understand any of it. I am about to throw it against the wall from shear frustration. I wonder whether or not it was worth buying.
I understand your frustration but stick with it. I have been using GPS for years and it is a great tool. I think the best way to learn GPS is to surf the Internet and learn more about how GPS works. When you have an understanding of the satellite system it may be easier to understand what your handheld GPS is trying to tell you. I am a big fan of Garmin. If you learn how to use one Garmin you will have a good understanding of how to use any other Garmin. It will be worth the effort.
#12
03-22-2008, 01:20 PM
#13
03-22-2008, 01:25 PM
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
ORIGINAL: HEMSPLT
You have a great point but...
My stator went out on me last year and I needed a tow. I called a local towing company and told them I was on Interstate XX, westbound, 1 mile east of highway XX. They asked me what mile marker I was near. I don't keep track of each mile marker I pass and told them I didn't know. After a few minutes of screwing around they finally got an idea of where I was at. Does anyone want to spend a few minutes screwing around with there friend or wife lying unconscious in a ditch? All I'm saying is GPS is another (great) tool to help someone locate you.
A couple of other points.
I also carry a good first aid kit, keep everything in it up to date, and know how to use the items in it.
Most people probably carry a cell phone with them but don't rely on it to get you out of a bind. I ride in a lot of areas in the desert without any coverage. A lot of cell phones also have the ability to locate the caller using GPS coordinates. The problem is there are still a lot of 911 systems that don't have the technology to read/receive the coordinates that the cell phone is transmitting.
ORIGINAL: 2002flstc
what ever happened to paper maps, Hwy numbers and mile post markers... ???
what ever happened to paper maps, Hwy numbers and mile post markers... ???
My stator went out on me last year and I needed a tow. I called a local towing company and told them I was on Interstate XX, westbound, 1 mile east of highway XX. They asked me what mile marker I was near. I don't keep track of each mile marker I pass and told them I didn't know. After a few minutes of screwing around they finally got an idea of where I was at. Does anyone want to spend a few minutes screwing around with there friend or wife lying unconscious in a ditch? All I'm saying is GPS is another (great) tool to help someone locate you.
A couple of other points.
I also carry a good first aid kit, keep everything in it up to date, and know how to use the items in it.
Most people probably carry a cell phone with them but don't rely on it to get you out of a bind. I ride in a lot of areas in the desert without any coverage. A lot of cell phones also have the ability to locate the caller using GPS coordinates. The problem is there are still a lot of 911 systems that don't have the technology to read/receive the coordinates that the cell phone is transmitting.
But honestly, doesn't todays technology remove some of the adventure of travel... ? Perhaps I'm to old to appreciateGPS and CELL phones.... although as a private pilot I use GPS and in my business I use the CELL phone... but when I'm on the road... It is just me, the bike, the dog, the map and the road ahead...
Interesting etymology of the word travel... go on a difficult journey.
#14
03-22-2008, 01:31 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
ORIGINAL: soos
What happened D? Did you get sensored or have a guilt spell?
Was momma looking over your shoulder?
ORIGINAL: UltraKla$$ic
[sm=interesting.gif]
[sm=interesting.gif]
Was momma looking over your shoulder? I'll be back in 10 hours after I figure out wtf geocaching is......... Does it come in chrome?[sm=icon_rofl.gif]
#15
03-22-2008, 01:34 PM
Club Member
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
GPS is great used if for several years fishing and boating to mark some top secret spots lol.
That being said every cell phone produced today has GPS in it and when you dial 911 it pin points your location. Only problem with this is iam not sure that every 911 facility is capabale of using this data yet but the goverment has told every one that have until a certian date maybe someone knows more about it.
I know my buddy called in a 911 call about a crash on a bridge while he was fishing. Once everyone arrived he got another call the cop said are you the guy in the boat he said yes how you know he said gps pin pointed your location at the time of the call please come ashore and tell us what you saw.
That being said every cell phone produced today has GPS in it and when you dial 911 it pin points your location. Only problem with this is iam not sure that every 911 facility is capabale of using this data yet but the goverment has told every one that have until a certian date maybe someone knows more about it.
I know my buddy called in a 911 call about a crash on a bridge while he was fishing. Once everyone arrived he got another call the cop said are you the guy in the boat he said yes how you know he said gps pin pointed your location at the time of the call please come ashore and tell us what you saw.
#16
03-22-2008, 01:47 PM
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
I think GPS's are a great tool to help prevent accidents. How many times have we all strained to find the right sign (in amongst many) that points us in the right direction,when we find ourselved inadvertently inrush hour traffic. Many times, we miss that one and only chance to make the turn we need because we visually see the sign too late, if at all. Not to mention, the time it takes that our eyes are not on the road but frantically searching and reading every sign we seein order to find the right pointer sign. A GPS can remedy all that. You know your turn is coming up and in enough time to prepare to be in the right lane. Pretty simplistic.
#17
03-22-2008, 01:54 PM
Join Date: Feb 2008
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RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
ORIGINAL: 2002flstc
My attempt at being facetious...
But honestly, doesn't todays technology remove some of the adventure of travel... ? Perhaps I'm to old to appreciateGPS and CELL phones.... although as a private pilot I use GPS and in my business I use the CELL phone... but when I'm on the road... It is just me, the bike, the dog, the map and the road ahead...
Interesting etymology of the word travel... go on a difficult journey.
ORIGINAL: HEMSPLT
You have a great point but...
My stator went out on me last year and I needed a tow. I called a local towing company and told them I was on Interstate XX, westbound, 1 mile east of highway XX. They asked me what mile marker I was near. I don't keep track of each mile marker I pass and told them I didn't know. After a few minutes of screwing around they finally got an idea of where I was at. Does anyone want to spend a few minutes screwing around with there friend or wife lying unconscious in a ditch? All I'm saying is GPS is another (great) tool to help someone locate you.
A couple of other points.
I also carry a good first aid kit, keep everything in it up to date, and know how to use the items in it.
Most people probably carry a cell phone with them but don't rely on it to get you out of a bind. I ride in a lot of areas in the desert without any coverage. A lot of cell phones also have the ability to locate the caller using GPS coordinates. The problem is there are still a lot of 911 systems that don't have the technology to read/receive the coordinates that the cell phone is transmitting.
ORIGINAL: 2002flstc
what ever happened to paper maps, Hwy numbers and mile post markers... ???
what ever happened to paper maps, Hwy numbers and mile post markers... ???
My stator went out on me last year and I needed a tow. I called a local towing company and told them I was on Interstate XX, westbound, 1 mile east of highway XX. They asked me what mile marker I was near. I don't keep track of each mile marker I pass and told them I didn't know. After a few minutes of screwing around they finally got an idea of where I was at. Does anyone want to spend a few minutes screwing around with there friend or wife lying unconscious in a ditch? All I'm saying is GPS is another (great) tool to help someone locate you.
A couple of other points.
I also carry a good first aid kit, keep everything in it up to date, and know how to use the items in it.
Most people probably carry a cell phone with them but don't rely on it to get you out of a bind. I ride in a lot of areas in the desert without any coverage. A lot of cell phones also have the ability to locate the caller using GPS coordinates. The problem is there are still a lot of 911 systems that don't have the technology to read/receive the coordinates that the cell phone is transmitting.
But honestly, doesn't todays technology remove some of the adventure of travel... ? Perhaps I'm to old to appreciateGPS and CELL phones.... although as a private pilot I use GPS and in my business I use the CELL phone... but when I'm on the road... It is just me, the bike, the dog, the map and the road ahead...
Interesting etymology of the word travel... go on a difficult journey.
Another story (I guess I'm getting old because I have a lot of stories)...
Wife and I were on a big trip last year and stopped for some food and much needed hydration around lunch time. I didn't have a hotelreservation for the night and figured I should get one. I used a paper map to figure out how far we would probably get and then used my GPS to find a hotel. My GPS has a database thatshows the hotels for any given area, their address as well as their phone number. I called one hotel and they said they only knew of one room left in this medium-sized town. I called the other hotel and got a reservation. We arrived at the hotel and there was a pickup truck load of guys sitting there hoping we weren't going to show so they could take our room. So, without the GPS I probably wouldn't have had a reservation and would would have had to ride ar least another 50 to 75 miles to the next commercial area to find one. It was already a long day and we are glad we didn't have to. GPS helps keep me in my comfort zone.
#18
03-22-2008, 02:02 PM
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
I love my GPS and I'm thinking of upgrading it to the BlueTooth version. My buddy gave me a demo of his Bluetooth Garmin in his car, and it was pretty slick.
The GPS adds more adventure for me, I'm going down roads I never knew existed before. You can plan a trip, make a detour and the GPS reroutes you automatically.
I know its frustrating for some technology challenged folks to get used to it, but you can get just about any 12yo in the neighborhood to teach you. And I don't mean that in a mean way, but todays kids are way onboard with technology. Once you get used to the GPS you'll love it.
For safety and convience they are #1
The GPS adds more adventure for me, I'm going down roads I never knew existed before. You can plan a trip, make a detour and the GPS reroutes you automatically.
I know its frustrating for some technology challenged folks to get used to it, but you can get just about any 12yo in the neighborhood to teach you. And I don't mean that in a mean way, but todays kids are way onboard with technology. Once you get used to the GPS you'll love it.
For safety and convience they are #1
#19
03-22-2008, 02:22 PM
RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
Oh I understandthe uses of GPS quite well, thank you very much...
I also understand your point....
Not trying to be contentions here...
Just expressing my point of view...
There is just too much wanderlust in my blood... I love to explore the unknown without previous knowledge of what lies ahead... I too plan ahead but never to the point of excluding the possibilityof a side trip to here or there...
I love to talk with the locals as they have knowledge that the GPS or AAA does not know about... Good swimming holes, the best place to eat and when I'm inclined the bar with the best music...
I also understand your point....
Not trying to be contentions here...
Just expressing my point of view...
There is just too much wanderlust in my blood... I love to explore the unknown without previous knowledge of what lies ahead... I too plan ahead but never to the point of excluding the possibilityof a side trip to here or there...
I love to talk with the locals as they have knowledge that the GPS or AAA does not know about... Good swimming holes, the best place to eat and when I'm inclined the bar with the best music...
#20
03-22-2008, 02:40 PM
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RE: Carry a GPS and Know How to Use it
with all due repect to you and your idea hemsplt, you idea is pure bull_____. frankly, for every situation that you describe as possible, where a GPS would help, there are 10 times more accidents of dumb assed people not paying attention to driving by looking at their high priced toys in their vehicle and their distracted diving causes seriuos injuries and deaths.
cell phones, gps, etc are fine in theory, but just drive around and look for the stupid people that are so concentrating on those things that they forget to stop at stop sign and lights and cross centerlines and cause major accidents. i am a prosessional CDL driver ofbig trucksand see it on a daily basis, at least in a big truck, their inattention won't kill me, just themselves, in a darwin type of deal, but when i ride my scooter, then their dumbass actions can and willl kill bikers.
Sorry, I could just not disagree more with your suggestion.
cell phones, gps, etc are fine in theory, but just drive around and look for the stupid people that are so concentrating on those things that they forget to stop at stop sign and lights and cross centerlines and cause major accidents. i am a prosessional CDL driver ofbig trucksand see it on a daily basis, at least in a big truck, their inattention won't kill me, just themselves, in a darwin type of deal, but when i ride my scooter, then their dumbass actions can and willl kill bikers.
Sorry, I could just not disagree more with your suggestion.