Spent some time this weekend with my TOPO map software and my Garmin Foretrex 101 GPS toy. I plotted all the hikes we are planning to do at Toulume meadows in a couple of week, along with GPS waypoints in UTM coordinates. I thought the TOPO software was pretty easy to use and I figured out how to print the maps out in the right scale so I can plot positions on them if I need to.
I played with the Foretrex 101, figuring out its functions and how to use them. I had some problems using the Mapsource software to imput waypoints and routes, the device couldn't be recognized by the s/w on my PC. Reading the Garmin site, I finally found a FAQ that revealed that I needed to turn off the port if it was used by my PDA for synchronizing my calendar and contacts, etc. So, after switching off the port in "HotSynch" I was able to connect the Foretrex 101 and down waypoints and routes to it perfectly!!! My main gripe is that that information should have been part of the standard install procedures, because most techno-geeks that I know also use PDA's. Too many manufacturers write their procedures and manuals like their product is absolutely the only peripheral you use on your PC!! I spent a good 3 hours messing with and figuring that all out.
Using the Foretrex was sort of interesting. I found the compass-like navigation tool wasn't that good or accurate. It seem to be more effective if you are moving, but standing still it gets confused which way is which. The little map-track screen was way more useful, because if gave you a kind of bird's-eye view of your progress and general direction of travel. I certainly wouldn't depend on this device alone for navigation, a good topographic map is a must!! The automatic track tool is a good feature, it creates a 'cookie-crumb trail of waypoints every so often, that can be used to navigate back to the trail head or used later to create a route.
Of the two "gadgets" I think I'll probably get more use out of the TOPO mapping software, but that's probably because I'm more experienced in using maps than I am using a GPS device.
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