eTrex Vista

[BawdyMonk]

I know next to nothing about GPS but am thinking of buying myself one, from what I've read the Vista is the top of the range in the eTrex range, and seems to be a tough enough bit of kit for a clumsy sod like me to play with..

Cyprus hasn't been electronically mapped and according to what I've had off Garmin there's no urgency to do so, so there's no point in getting a Street Pilot or similar.

There's a huge amount of tracks and unmarked gravel roads on the island which I'd like to explore and map out for myself... it would also be a bit of fun to have an accurate speedo!

I could do with some good advice here please

 

[Wreford Miles]

I have an etrex legend and it's the biz....

 

[BawdyMonk]

I have an etrex legend and it's the biz....

Any chance you can tell me why?

 

[Ghost Rider2]

I'm a Vista owner in the UK. I've found it very good in accuracy, detailed tracking and route finding. I didn't think there was a downside until I saw the BMW system on a GS the other day. It has a larger clearer (colour) screen which was split to allow the actual map area being navigated and instruction (i.e. turn right 600m).
Three times the price though and no good to you if Cyprus ain't mapped!
You won't be disapointed with the vista though.

 

[Hillhound]

e-trex

I have an e-trex venture and it is a superb bit of kit. I have a cheap plastic mobile phone holder on the handlebars for it. It is very weatherproof and easy to use. If you can get good scale maps you can create your own routes, tracks and waypoints on your PC using a program called Gartrip. You will find it if you do a search on Google. The program allows you to store and manage all your data o the PC as well as overwrite routes etc onto maps. It is available as a free download with limited function but the full program is only about £20(uk).

Remember you can also update the e-trex firmware on the Garmin site as they are continually adding new features.

Hope this helps

 

[BawdyMonk]

Thanks Ghost, I would have gone for a BMW system as my lovely BMW importer didn't tell me Cyprus isn't mapped (Luckily I check everything they tell me!)

BIG thanks Hillhound! Thats VERY usefull

 

[Jon]

Bawdy,

Buy a ram mount for it when you get it. Only 'bout £20 over here, but enables you to position it wherever you want and it doesn't move. Means you can mount it smack in the middle if you want, or off to one side

The GPS can be taken out of the mount really easily for security.

The U-bolt part stays on the handlebars and the rest comes off when you undo the thumbscrew affair thang.........



Jon

 

[Jon]

Hillhound said;
If you can get good scale maps you can create your own routes, tracks and waypoints on your PC using a program called Gartrip.

Gartrip link here

 

[LucaV]

I mounted an eTrex Vista on my GS, using the Touratech special handelbar bracket, some 12000 km ago, never had a single problem, I consider it a wonderful machine that always let you know where you are 8with 2m accuracy with WAAS enabled, seen with my own eyes) and hao to get anywhere you want. Of course it doesn't tell you "do this" or "turn there", but we are all grown up enough to read a map and find our way!

 

[Howard Millichap]

Bawdy,

Buy a ram mount for it when you get it. Jon

My advice is :-

1/ get a "Vista" you won't be disappointed.
2/ buy a touratech mount. The RAM does NOT hold the unit tightly and allows it to rattle about. This is, I'm convinced, what caused my display to malfunction due to vibration damage. The Touratech mount clamps the unit in place.
The best solution would be a Touratech holder held onto the bike with the RAM rubber ball system, but I don't know if it's possible.

 

[BawdyMonk]

Thanks Everybody!

I've ordered the eTrex Vista with a Ram mount from Here. At GB£225 for the Vista I'm a very happy chappy! Howard, I've taken in what you've said and if possible I'll slip some rubber strips into the holder.
Only problem now is telling the Mrs I've bought my own Xmas pressie...

Is Gartrip the best place to find a "basemap" which I believe is what I'll need to get started?

 

[needlongerlegs]

GPS Numpty

GPS Numpty thats me

I got my self a Vista a couple of months back wouldn't be without it now.

Just going in to town and need to find a local street wack it in and and away you go.

Got me safely in to and back out of Essex the other day too LOL

Mapsource CD comes with it; but Cyprus has no real detail.

Regards

Graham

 

[Hillhound]

basemap

Monk

Gartrip doesn't supply basemaps. You supply the maps and scan them in as jpg or bmp and 'calibrate' them using Gartrip. You can prepare routes waypoints etc but you will never have a basemap on an e-trex.

Also if you do a trip regularly you can save it for the next time (I have Stranraer to Ullapool saved as I do it quite a bit).

I have been using Gartrip quite a bit so PM if you need any help to get started with it

 

[Jon]

Bawdymonk said:
if possible I'll slip some rubber strips into the holder.

 

[BawdyMonk]

Re: basemap

Monk

Gartrip doesn't supply basemaps. You supply the maps and scan them in as jpg or bmp and 'calibrate' them using Gartrip. You can prepare routes waypoints etc but you will never have a basemap on an e-trex.

Also if you do a trip regularly you can save it for the next time (I have Stranraer to Ullapool saved as I do it quite a bit).

I have been using Gartrip quite a bit so PM if you need any help to get started with it

Thanks, it's a dead cert I'll be touch
Is it worth buying Gartrip or will the free version do? Also are there any other software programmes avaiable?

 

[Hillhound]

Gartrip

Try Gartrip and see what you think. I like being able to scan in my own maps, you can use any type or scale. The free verson is exactly the same as the full version but with a limit on the number of waypoints etc you can store. I like it and use it a lot so I paid the money (this gives you a 'key' to give the full function, you don't have to do anymore downloading).

As for other programes, I havn't tried any other than easy GPS which just lets you enter waypoints on a PC. Gartrip does this and more.

If you search the web you can download lists of waypoints in Gartrip format which you can then upload to your GPS (I saw things like a list of tourist sites in London)

Try this site for all things GPS by people who love GPS's the way we love GS's

http://gpsinformation.net/