Handheld GPS for Morons Question

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:04 pm

Hey Everyone,

Bought a handheld....Garmin etrex (got it for an amazing price). I dont know much about these things so Im just messing around with it right now. I have a question about them: It says it takes roughly 5 minutes to find itself the first time you turn it on, and thereafter only about 15-20 seconds. Which is right from what Ive seen. But it said under a clear sky. So the question is how well do these things operate under overcast, partly cloudy etc? Also, if anyone has an etrex how well are these things in planes? Thanks!!

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:14 pm

In that context, clear sky means essentially standing in an open field with no obstructions. It does not really refer to the current weather conditions. Performance will be degraded when using it in a forest, in mountains, in a city, and so forth. Basically anything that obstructs the path between your reciever and the satellites will have an effect.
Extreme weather may have a small effect (heavy rain, thunderstorm, etc) but normal weather should not.

pika · Post by **pika** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:31 pm

Hey Pete, used an eTrex Legend for the last few years with no troubles. Very capable little package (but you should see my new GPS60!) As far as using it in an airplane they don't get reception behind heated windows.

Canus Chinookus · Post by **Canus Chinookus** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:43 pm

For airplanes with windshield heat, I've found that when it's on it blocks the signal. As soon as I turned off the WS heat, bam! Locked on. Unfortunately, It's not a good idea to fly around with the heat off, so I don't carry it anymore.

Tango01 · Post by **Tango01** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:46 pm

Sky condition has no effect on your GPS unit. Make sure it can "see" an open sky.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:17 pm

Thanks for all the posts everyone!! I thought clear sky meant weather conditions....my bad. Thanks for clearing that up. Now windshield heat...this may sound dumb but I take WS heat as more advanced aircraft? Like we arent talking cabin heat/defrost on a 172 right? Excuse my stupid question hehe just making sure were talking something more advanced. Once again thanks...I cant wait to try this thing out in the air muuahah! Thanks Guys/Gals

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:04 pm

Hey Pete, I use the E-Trex Legend as well and it's a great unit. I found the best thing to do when using it in the airplane was to invest in a cellphone holder from Future Shop or wherever that you can put it in and clip it onto the dash or panel somewhere, that way it's visible to you and can still pick up the signal. If I can find a picture of the holder I've got I'll post it here. Enjoy the new toy.

pika · Post by **pika** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:08 pm

http://froogle.google.com/froogle_clust ... =mrd&hl=en

Works very well.

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:10 pm

Whaddaya know? That was easy. Here's what I got; works like a charm. $25.
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/prodde ... 113&catid=

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:15 pm

Pete, Navajo's, Cessna 402's and most turbine twins and jets have a glass windshield with a special coating and a heating element in the glass and many GPS's will not "look" through them. No problem with a plastic windshield.