|
Have GPS Will Travel (To The Right Place!)
GPS Field Test
By Jeff Porcaro
When I was 18 years old I learned the importance of knowing where you are. A survival course instructor gave my group a compass and a map and dropped us off in the Utah desert. All we knew was the map location where we were to meet that evening. Our first task was to decide where we were. The instructor had purposely chosen a location with no identifying landmarks, just lots of nondescript desert surrounded us. Determining our location proved much more difficult than we had expected.
After reaching a group consensus, we headed along what we thought was the correct route. As the day wore on, our confidence waned until at last we admitted we were lost. As night fell we reluctantly decided to stay put and start a fire. Later that night the instructor showed up at our camp to take us home. We never made it to our destination.
I look back today and realize the implications of truly being lost--fatigue, panic, and possibly death. But today, solving our problem would be much simpler. With GPS technology, along with a map and compass, we would have started knowing exactly where we were, and easily found our way to the destination.
A GPS receiver seems so accurate and easy to use that it has a couple of inherent dangers. A GPS receiver is only a tool, much like the compass and map are tools. The tool is only as good as your knowledge of how to use it. The danger enters in the common thinking that with a GPS, you no longer need a map or compass. Not so. Also, the trend with many GPS users is to simply purchase the unit, then head for the backcountry.
There are many resources available to help you learn to use the features of your GPS. (See the Sidebar, GPS Resources.) We suggest you learn the basic principals behind GPS navigation before relying on one. All of the receivers we tested have good documentation on how to use the features, but none of the manufacturers give information on when or why you would use a particular feature. They also all lack adequate background information.
We recommend always using a map and compass with a GPS receiver. Using a compass to navigate to a bearing is quicker and more accurate than relying on the GPS to lead you to your destination. Going anywhere in the backcountry without an adequate map is just stupid.
We reviewed these GPS receivers by setting up a course in the Wasatch Mountains. After predefining a series of locations in a mixture of open skies, deep ravines, and heavy tree canopy, we attempted to navigate the course using the GPS receivers both with and without a compass. (See the Sidebar GPS-Friendly Compasses)
We reviewed the following GPS Receivers:
Lowrance GlobalMapÆ 100
Magellan Pioneer
Magellan 2000XL
Magellan Tracker
Eagle Explorer™
Lowrance GlobalMapÆ 100
Price: $449
 The GlobalMap 100 has 12 channels simultaneously searching for satellites. This is the only GPS we reviewed that has built-in and downloadable maps. It also includes both a car adapter and PC interface/software that saves waypoints and downloads maps to the receiver.
We found the onboard maps useful when traveling by highway, whenever we were unsure of our location, such as looking for a turnoff, we fired up the GlobalMap to show us where we were on the highway.
Our reviewers found the GlobablMap’s menu system easiest to use. The menus made it simple to access features, such as the 750 position points, 25 routes with 50 waypoints per route, and 15 different icons to display with your waypoints.
The unit uses four AA batteries, which last up to 20 hours with the power-save, and continuously for 11 hours. The GlobalMap 100’s ten-year internal battery backup stores your saved waypoints even when the batteries are dead. The GPS is differential ready and the sturdy case is shock resistant and waterproof.
Summary: The GlobalMapÆ 100 is a favorite among our testers. It consistently got us to our destination. The built-in mapping is a plus when used near highways or waterways. This is the most expensive GPS Receiver we reviewed, but the features make this a high-end navigational tool. The menu system is the easiest to use, and the receiver was fast in picking up a signal even in heavy tree cover. The price, however, may be prohibitive--but you get you money’s worth in extras.
Contact Lowrance at (800) 324-0044 or on the Internet at http://www.lowrance.com
Back to receiver list
Magellan Pioneer
Price: $99
 The Pioneer is an entry-level GPS receiver, the first priced under $100. Because of this price point, the Pioneer offers a minimal feature set, such as two-channel reception. With only two channels, the Pioneer takes up to twice as long as 12 channel models lock in on a position fix.
The Pioneer stores up to 100 landmarks, and one route with 10 reversible legs. You get up to 20 hours use from just 2 AA batteries. When the batteries run out you must change within 20 minutes or you risk losing any saved information. The Pioneer is waterproof and floats.
The Pioneer’s seven map coordinates support the most common formats along with 11 datum. The Pioneer has no computer or differential connections.
Summary: As the first GPS receiver under $100, the old maxim that you get what you pay for holds true. The Pioneer takes longer to acquire a position fix than any other receiver we tested. In thick tree canopy we continuously lost the position, making the receiver useless until you get back into the clear. However, for cost-conscious customers, the Pioneer makes GPS technology affordable, and works well as an entry-level GPS for those who are using it primarily in non-obstructed locations, such as a lake, or open terrain.
Contact Magellan at (909) 394-5000 or on the Internet at http://www.magellangps.com
Back to receiver list
Magellan 2000XL
Price: $209
 The 2000XL is a 12 channel receiver with up to 24 hours of operation on four AA batteries. It stores your saved information with a 10-year backup battery, and has a waterproof, sturdy shockproof case.
The 2000XL’s optional PC kit makes it computer compatible; it is also differential ready.
With up to 200 landmarks and 5 routes, you are able to store all your favorite locations. The 2000XL’s track plotter shows you where you have been and where you’re going.
A sunrise/sunset feature displays times for sunrise and sunset at your current location, as well as a saved location. With 7 navigation screens--two customizable--you can choose which navigational elements to view.
Summary: The 2000XL offers good value for the price. During field testing, the 2000XL obtained quick satellite fixes. With an understandable user interface, our testers easily moved between the various navigational screens.
Contact Magellan at (909) 394-5000 or on the Internet at http://www.magellangps.com
Back to receiver list
Magellan Tracker
Price: $321
 The Tracker has nine navigation screens and a large display. As you’d expect from all but the lowest cost models, the Tracker is a 12-channel receiver. The Tracker’s unique NorthFinder feature allows you to align an icon with the sun or moon, and the Tracker takes into account your position and time to show you what direction is north. Although, NorthFinder can be useful on a clear night when you don’t have your compass, or when access to you compass is difficult, The Gear Review Company and Outfitter do not advocate ever using a GPS receiver without a compass.
Other features include a best fishing-time calculator, 12 coordinate formats and 73 datum, position averaging, nine navigation screens, five of them customizable. The Tracker lasts up to 30 hours on four AA batteries, and stores saved data for up to 10 years with the backup battery. You can store up to 500 landmarks and 20 reversible routes with 30 legs each.
The Tracker is differential ready and connects to a computer with an optional PC kit. It is waterproof and built with a rugged case.
Summary: The Tracker is a great receiver for the price. Relatively easy to use, we found the creation of landmarks to be confusing. After reading the manual and a little practice, we adjusted to the Tracker and had no further trouble. As for durability, we conducted an unplanned test. As we were pulling our packs out of a narrow slot canyon, the rope broke and the pack fell 40 feet, the top pouch landing on a large boulder. Of course, the Tracker was conveniently stored in that top pouch. Pulling out the Tracker, we expected it to be damaged, but none had occurred. However, don’t try this at home.
Contact Magellan at (909) 394-5000 or on the Internet at http://www.magellangps.com
Back to receiver list
Eagle Explorer™
Price: $199
 Like most of the others, the Eagle Explorer is a 12-channel receiver. The Explorer’s four AA batteries last up to 20 hours, with the internal battery backup maintaining your saved position points up to10 years without batteries.
Explorer's TrailGuide SteerScreen™ shows your present course and position in the center of a compass ring on the screen. To reach your destination, all you have to do is align the solid "path" line with the dotted bearing line. Additional navigation information such as distance traveled, how fast you are going, and estimated time of arrival are all accessible from the Explorer's simple menus and screens. (We still recommend a compass!)
Other features of the Explorer include storage capability for up to 750 position points (up to 250 waypoints and 500 graphic icon location symbols). Fifteen different graphic symbols are available to represent specific locations such as campsites, trails, or vehicles.
Summary: The Explorer offers acceptable ease of use and a simple menu system. We found the Explorer to be very durable as the testers have dropped it (but not from 50 feet). This is a good GPS for the money. The Explorer excelled at quick position locking and reliably maintaining the fix.
Contact Eagle Electronics at (800) 324-1354 or on the Internet at http://www.eaglegps.com/
Back to receiver list
Jeff Porcaro is Field Manger for the GearReview.com, an independent source for gear reviews.
|
