fred and/or jake

[Devon]

I am looking into a GPS system for charting trails on my KLR. I would need something with a graphical display, that could have a direction arrow and distance-to-next-waypoint. It would need to store a LOT of waypoints, in some of the tight single-track area I ride every 50ft would be necessary. Anyone know a GPS that fits this description? Thanks, Devon

[Chris]

The decision for me would be between the Garmin 76S or the Etrex Vista. I prefer the 76S because of the control layout being far easier for a gloved hand to operate and the larger display. It is physically larger though. I dug and dug into this for kayaking and those two floated to the top of the heap. I just haven't deluded myself sufficiently to get them in the toy chest. I have friends with both units, they both seem to perform well, they are both decently water resistant as well. It comes down to the ergos between them mostly. The antenna orientation is a small issue too, the Etrex units perform better when horizontal IIRC and the 76S favors a more vertical (think barmount) position as do the Magellan units. http://www.gpscity.com/ has some pretty amazing prices and stock the RAM mounting system too.

On Fri, Oct 24, 2003 at 10:11:57AM -0400, Devon Jarvis wrote: > I am looking into a GPS system for charting trails on my KLR. > > I would need something with a graphical display, that could have a > direction arrow and distance-to-next-waypoint. It would need to store a > LOT of waypoints, in some of the tight single-track area I ride every > 50ft would be necessary. > > Anyone know a GPS that fits this description? > > Thanks, > Devon -- ___ ______ _____ __ ________ ___ / _ |< < / == / ___/__ / /_ /_ __/ / __ ____ _ ___ /__ \ / __ |/ // / ****/ (_ / _ \/ __/ / / / _ \/ // / ' \/ _ \ /__/ /_/ |_/_//_/ == \___/\___/\__/ /_/ /_//_/\_,_/_/_/_/ .__/ (_) 8600 miles*Russel Lines*Supertrapp Race* /_/ http://www.panix.com/~cesser/mybike/

[Devon]

berlik@... wrote:

>It seems to me that MOST GPS units will do what you're wanting. You >don't define what "a lot" is regarding waypoints, so unless you're >talking about more than 2 or 3 hundred, you'll be ok with most >everything. >

Mapping an 80 mile woods ride in close detail would be about 5,000- 10,000 waypoints. Considering each waypoint is basically three floating-point numbers (lat, long, alt) I would think a GPS with 24mb should be plenty. I'm less concerned with maps as I am with a clear display with distance and arrow to the next waypoint. Something I can see at a glance while riding standing up. Maps would be nice for the using the thing on family car trips. A boosted antenna would be great but only if the connection is sufficiently waterproof. Devon

[Chris]

One of the neat things with the 76S is a 'highway view' sort of an animated roadway that indicates turns to the next waypoint. You can switch from multiple views with the chart as one of the options. The highway view has a sort of flag marker you can see approaching from the horizon as you near the waypoint.

On Fri, Oct 24, 2003 at 11:56:00AM -0400, Devon Jarvis wrote: > I'm less concerned with maps as I am with a clear display with distance > and arrow to the next waypoint. Something I can see at a glance while > riding standing up. -- ___ ______ _____ __ ________ ___ / _ |< < / == / ___/__ / /_ /_ __/ / __ ____ _ ___ /__ \ / __ |/ // / ****/ (_ / _ \/ __/ / / / _ \/ // / ' \/ _ \ /__/ /_/ |_/_//_/ == \___/\___/\__/ /_/ /_//_/\_,_/_/_/_/ .__/ (_) 8600 miles*Russel Lines*Supertrapp Race* /_/ http://www.panix.com/~cesser/mybike/

[Devon]

berlik@... wrote:

>Ok, I think everyone would agree that 5000 plus waypoints is A LOT. >My GPS V would not suffice for that use. >

I have no idea what I'm doing here, I'm still learning how you actually use a GPS while riding. I understand how they work, and I know how to use a resettable odo, rollchart, and stopwatch to ride an enduro (okay, to figure out how close I am to houring out). I guess I'm envisioning a display with a large arrow and a mileage figure. Maybe an audible alert when you hit a waypoint, or the arrow flashes. Something I could decipher at a glance while riding fairly difficult trails. A lot of the tighter woods trails I've ridden, to actually duplicate the trail you'd need waypoints every 50 ft. But in truth, if you had waypoints every 1/8mi and knew the exact distance and direction to each one from the last, then you could pick through the woods easily enough and end up in the right spot. Can you set the GPS to store waypoints at certain mileage intervals, or at certain times, or only when you make a significant change of direction? Devon

[planetequipment]

> Mapping an 80 mile woods ride in close detail would be about 5,000- > 10,000 waypoints. Considering each waypoint is basically three > floating-point numbers (lat, long, alt) I would think a GPS with

24mb

> should be plenty.

The 24mb (8mb in my Legend)are used for map storage. The waypoints are located in a separate dedicated section of memory. I don't remember how many waypoints mine holds. You mentioned a waypoint every 50 feet or so. That might not be practical in a heavily wooded area. In clear conditions, the maximum accuracy is usually around 20 feet, but can be 120 feet or so. Couple that with erratic reception under the canopy and you might be better of with more widely spaced waypoints. Ron Gilbert, AZ

[Kim Berlin]

Devon, GPS is confusing until you start using it. Then it's REALLY confusing. If you use it little longer, the fog clears and it makes sense. You'll then look in the mirror and see a GPS geek staring back at you. "I guess I'm envisioning a display with a large arrow and a mileage figure. Maybe an audible alert when you hit a waypoint, or the arrow flashes. Something I could decipher at a glance while riding fairly difficult trails." This part ain't complex, and you're understanding is correct. Some units offer audible alerts, but those don't usually matter when you're on a bike. They will offer you information regarding where the next waypoint is, how far you are from it, eta, direction, etc. This info is usually available both graphically, with an arrow, or an arrow superimposed on a map. It depends on the unit and how you have the unit set and/or what "page" you're looking at on the unit. On my unit, the answer to all those questions is "yes." "A lot of the tighter woods trails I've ridden, to actually duplicate the trail you'd need waypoints every 50 ft. But in truth, if you had waypoints every 1/8mi and knew the exact distance and direction to each one from the last, then you could pick through the woods easily enough and end up in the right spot." This makes sense to me. 50 feet isn't much distance, so it would be tough to get far off track. 5 or 10 waypoints each mile is a lot, and if anyone is getting off trail with that much info, then they're too dumb to risk riding with. I could actually mark that course with my GPS V, and then ride home with turn by turn instructions, as well as info about available Mexican restaurants in case I got hungry. You probably don't need all that, but I get hungry when I ride. "Can you set the GPS to store waypoints at certain mileage intervals, or at certain times, or only when you make a significant change of direction?" I don't think you can program a unit to store waypoints that way, but I've been wrong before. There are essentially two ways to set waypoints. One is to mark points using your mapping software on your computer, and then load them to your unit. The other way is to ride the course/trail, and then stop at each point to set the waypoint. It should take less than 30 seconds to set each waypoint. If you have a good map, the most efficient way to set points would be on the computer, but I would still want to test your waypoints prior to an organized ride. Regards, Blake Berlin

[Mark Sampson]

-----Original Message----- From: Devon [mailto:bigfatgreenbike@...] Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 9:12 AM To: KLR650 group Subject: [DSN_klr650] GPS system for charting trails.....? I am looking into a GPS system for charting trails on my KLR. I would need something with a graphical display, that could have a direction arrow and distance-to-next-waypoint. It would need to store a LOT of waypoints, in some of the tight single-track area I ride every 50ft would be necessary. Anyone know a GPS that fits this description? Thanks, Devon List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Kim Berlin]

I don't see my post in the list, or your response. There are other posts I have made recently that I don't see, but two or three that DO show up. I don't understand. Regards, Blake Berlin -----Original Message----- From: Hans Koenig [mailto:hkoenig@...] Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 4:22 PM To: Blake Subject: Re: Fred and/or Jake Blake, I agree - see my follow-up post to the list. Hans in Minneapolis "Blake" writes:

>I'm a little behind on this "string" of opinions, but I have >experience that I'd like to share. > >First, Fred Hink is a god. He isn't THE God, but he is a god >nonetheless. His customer service, and commitment to the KLR >community (from my perspective) is outstanding. > >Hey Fred, if you read this, I now have a KTM Adventure R. I'd love >to see you with some offerings for my new alter ego. > >Re Jake, his reputation as a machinist and maker of really cool and >quality parts for the KLR is stellar, and I have no information or >experience to suggest otherwise. As a businessman, his communication >and customer service are "interesting." In summary, as a machinist, >Jake is great. As a businessman, he is a great machinist. > >Blake Berlin >The Lone Star State > >--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Hans Koenig" wrote: >> I wanted to order doohickey parts and called Fred yesterday (10- >20). The >> TAD message said that he'll be returning from his vacation on Oct. >8th. >> Hmmm... >> >> Then I called Jake and left a message on the TAD. No return call. >> >> Is there a better way to communicate/order? I live too far away to >just >> pop uver and stop in. Any list advice? >> >> TIA! >> >> Hans in Minneapolis >