GPS or Map?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gavin
  • Start date Start date
It is a GPSmap 176
Cannot tell if it is a 176c (colour) or 176 (monochrome)

Originally a marine unit.
Uses datacards and can load Bluecharts or Metroguide (not auto-routing)

Nice big screen (3.1 x 2.3 inch, 320x240 pixel).
An SPIII is 3.4 x 1.8 inches, 305x160 pixels.

Customisable data fields in the right column. More technical than a SPIII with lots of things to play with (if you are that way inclined).

gpsmap176176c_big.jpg
 
If you,ve arrived at the destination using the route that you download from a PC to the the navigator, can you then plot another route to another place by programming the device alone, or do you need to take your PC/Laptop with you?? or have i completely missed something?
 
You would need the waypoints, which can be created on the unit (but a lot easier on the PC) then built a route on the unit (also easier on the PC)

A GPsmap 176 has 3000 waypoint capacity and 50 routes of 254 waypoints each.

On my GPS V with Metroguide Australia I tend to just do a straight line goto the destination and roughly follow it

Metroguide has Find function with similar POI/addresses (identical in Australia)

Screen redraw on the GPSmap 176 is noticably faster than a SPIII/GPS V.
Makes the 'head up' (as opposed to north up) display more usable.
 
I've ploted routes direct into my etrex and found it OK ish... using the pc is much better.

You soon get use to ploting a route and using a few tricks to save time in planning and when traverling.

I use a GPS to make progress so I don't dither at junctions I select a waypoint not on a junction but a 100 yards or so from the junction on the road I want... that way I get the count down but the arrow is already beging to point left or right.

But as I mention earlier I now use the GPS to confirm where I am in relation to the map on the tank... again when making progress this comes into play when you know you need to make a right turn in say 10 -12 miles using a map alone you'd have to estimate or watch the trip to know when it's likley to be coming up.

With the GPS I can see the junction and concentrate 100% on riding till my tracking arrow approaches the junction.

Also on things like ring roads I know frow the map which junction I want to take, a quick look at the GPS map confirms the same then it's just a matter of balsting along untill the tracking arrow arroaches the junction I know I'll need to take.

All this makes the 176 a better option for me...

But heck i'm happy with me etrex
 
etrex and map

I agree with Wreford - I too use an etrex and map - nice and flexible as a solution, plus I can use the etrex mountaineering.

Of course, it is also true that I am a complete Luddite with the attention span of a a Goldfish who wouldn't have the patience to sort out a proper system!

Paul
 
Re: etrex and map

Gogol said:
Of course, it is also true that I am a complete Luddite with the attention span of a a Goldfish who wouldn't have the patience to sort out a proper system!

Paul
Well Paul, you'll have to believe me when for a large proportion of owners of 'proper systems' this has almost been treated as a requirement!! :D
 
Greg Masters said:
It's Paul G's - I think that it's a Garmin Fishfinder!

:D

Greg

That will be the Garmin Fishfinder that was first to find its way out of Seville! I guess it just pointed him towards the sea!
 
Agree with your thinking Wreford.

The method you described we used on the way back through Spain and will be using on the Arnhem tour, the combination of after large junction way points and a decent map seem to work very well. The only change I would make to our previous technique is to have a GPS and a map on the same bike, shouting to each other as you go around a roundabout can get a bit wearing!

PS I use an etrex legend as well as that seems to suit this method fine. Could do with a bigger screen though
 
Jim-650 said:
That will be the Garmin Fishfinder that was first to find its way out of Seville! I guess it just pointed him towards the sea!
Yes, that'd be the same GPS that took us to that sodding great reservoir in central Morocco!

:D

Greg
 
The only change I would make to our previous technique is to have a GPS and a map on the same bike



Yeah that would seem to make sense... so are you saying it took a whole trip around spain to realize that would be the best combination! (and even then not until after the trip)
 
No I felt sorry for Jon who didn't have a map or a GPS! so I gave him the map
 
I run mine off of the bike, a mate wired it in. Its pretty easy to do and saves any battery hassles
 
You've got to learn to trust the GPS! The route that it was taking us is what I've posted below - I think that circular route was because you can't turn right at the junction circled. Anyway, you lot all wussed out and decided to take your own 'short cut' - it was only then that we ended up somewhere near Aldershot!
au contraire mon petit organisateur de voyage..................

we were the ones who dutifully followed you round Seville.....................3 times

(okay, I had neither a map OR GPS at the time, such was my confidence in my companions :D)

With respect to all bike GPS users here, having both used GPS's since their inception, both Jim650 and myself have seen far too many people switch off their brain once the unit is switched on.


Yes, that'd be the same GPS that took us to that sodding great reservoir in central Morocco!
What? Not that tiny little road off to the left, just by the sodding great big road sign saying "FEZ" with an arrow pointing to the right.

I rest my case..............:D
 
Cheeky f*cker!

Next you'll be saying that the Seville holding pattern wore your tyres out!

:D

Greg
 
Nah...............that was continually taking you on the inside on the way down to Algeciras......................:D
 
gps

Ive got a street pilot and i usually plan a route on my pc so it'll take you along the roads you want to go on instead of what the gps wants,i agree it doesnt replace maps but its a good addition to maps.
 
Get the best of both worlds and use a real mans GPS, the 12XL.
No mapping or autorouting just a means of knowing where you are. This of course means you can still get horribly lost, but you will know where you are to within 15m or so (as I once found out on an offroad navigation rally in Crete).
Learn to use a GPS alonside a map and you will never get lost again!!!
 


Back
Top Bottom