entering Grid Reference into garmin etrex

[RockHopper]

Hi I am RockHoppers other half, Pete.
I've been trying to set up our Garmin Etrex to use with Grid References.
For example SJ127533 which is the reference for Eyarth Rocks in North wales
I've set it up in the units screen as follows:
position format = british grid
mapdatum = ord srvy GB
the units = I,m not sure about what to enter the options are statute, nautical or metric
To enter the Grid Reference I went to the edit location screen and entered
SJ 12700
BNG 53300
is this correct ?
sorry if this is basic stuff but all this technology is new to us
Pete

[Hobjob]

I've not used my etrex that way for some time,
but from memory I think you are right.

You don't need the trailing zeroes though.

BNG stands for B-ritish N-ational G-rid - that confused me in the past

Not that it takes much these days, to confuse me that is.

If you are still stuck fo to

GPS Sat Nav: Garmin,TomTom,Navman,Magellan Satellite Navigation in Car

the fora there will sort you.

[RockHopper]

Thanks mate
when it stops raining I'll get out and give it a try
Pete

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by RockHopper

Hi I am RockHoppers other half, Pete.
I've been trying to set up our Garmin Etrex to use with Grid References.
For example SJ127533 which is the reference for Eyarth Rocks in North wales
I've set it up in the units screen as follows:
position format = british grid
mapdatum = ord srvy GB
the units = I,m not sure about what to enter the options are statute, nautical or metric
To enter the Grid Reference I went to the edit location screen and entered
SJ 12700
BNG 53300
is this correct ?
sorry if this is basic stuff but all this technology is new to us
Pete

That is fine, I assume you aren't entering the BNG bit, as that isn't neccessary (In fact, I just tried it and you can't. Trailing zeroes aren't needed, and as the grid Ref stuff is independant from the units set the units to statute if you think in miles and metric if you think in kilometres. Nautical has limited use unless you are working from a nautical chart.

[RockHopper]

Thanks
I still think in miles so statute it is
Pete

[mally70]

Hi there RockHoppers, just like to say i`ve got the same etrex vista and had the same problem but sorted it out now . you have set it up ok, but just dubble check them.( in your units setup,position format you need british grid, map datum ord srvy GB) Then you need to go back main menu, then mark (or press enter key for two seconds) then move up to highlight the location box, press enter. alter the the grid reference to your new location (on the national grid reference locations it`l look like this : NGR SD 860692 :
Then in your garmin your top line you will type in SD 86000 and the line below type in 69200 [just use the three numbers on the NGR then two zores at the end] then cursor down to ok, then down to map click enter, this should take you to the position on the map,)
Hope this will help you, And sorry if i`ve broke it down too much
cheers mal

[mally70]

In units setup,
distance/speed - metric
elevation(vert. speed)- meter (m/min)
depth meters
pressure- millibars

But you can change these setting to suit your understanding of the unit`s you no.

[Sickener]

Does this work when obtaining co-ordinates from Explorer and Landranger maps? I have been having some trouble with transposing co-ordinates from my OS Explorer map to my Etrex H.

[mally70]

hi there sickener, in what way are you having trouble with OS Explorer map to my Etrex H. ??? it should be straight forward.

[nigel_b]

There's two things you need to check in the system settings then.

First, the datum should be OSGB36
Second, the position format should be "British Grid" or "OS Grid" however they have described it.

You shouldnt have trouble then, although if you're used to 6 figure grid references like

SY 386 425

then you'll have to get used to adding two extra digits like this:

SY 38673 42582


the 386 in the 6-digit grid ref. example above tells you how far across a 100,000m square you are, i.e 38,600m across it. The next increment 387 is 38,700m across it, 100m further. As GPS is much more accurate than 100m resolution, the extra 2 digits are added representing tens of metres and metres.

Let us know how you get on!

[Sickener]

Thanks for the extra information there, I now have it sorted

I was being stupid, and a little confused by the layout of the entry fields for the co ordinates!

No wonder I was finding the thing a little inaccurate in the field!

[montybella]

Hi everyone, never been on a site like this, very interesting, I have just aquired a Garmin etrex h, nice bit of kit but I am completely baffeled as instructions are very limited ie how to enter a grid ref, is it six digits etc? any info would be very welcome.

[mally70]

hi there montybella, Garmin etrex h ??? not too sure about this one i`ve had a read through the manual but can`t seem to find have you can do it
(that`s if that model is able for the user to enter grid references??) without having one in my hand and playing around with it anm not much help sorry.

just try playing with it , get to main menu and see if you can get to a menu that will give you an option for you manually inputing grid ref. if you can then let me no what it say`s (ie what the layout looks like, how many space`s and so on) have you tried linking it up to a computer and setting it up that way??
let me no how you go
mal

[Maxzues]

Hi everyone. Having carried out a google search on how to set a Grid Reference into my new eTrex H, personal navigator, I was navigated to Wild About Britain. Many thanks for all your comments on how to set the bit of electronic wizardry up. Having just returned from a walking holiday our guide had one and I thought this is a must for me. But being a technophobe I had a job getting it out of the box let alone setting it up. All I need to do is use it now. Any help or hints on where I can find such info

[montybella]

Hi MALLY70. Had a play with the etrex h, slowly getting the hang of things i think, I'II keep you posted.

[montybella]

Hello MAXZUES, I am in the same boat as yourself, I am trying to get to grips with my etrex, I will keep posted as I go along with any tips etc

[nigel_b]

Just get 'em out of the box and turn 'em on.

Press the lower left hand button twice to bring up the main menu,

main menu -> set up -> units

and set "position format" to British Grid

Now all you need to do is enter an old 6 digit grid reference

i.e. SY 945 623

with two extra digits on each group

i.e. SY 94500 62300

or even, read the earlier entries in this thread

[nigel_b]

Maxzues

You need to understand

Waypoints: any old place on the ground. Has a name and descriptive icon, little picture thing like a car or a building, whatever, to show what sort of place the waypoint is

Route: a collection of waypoints one after the other.

Tracks: The GPS records where you have been in a "Track". Turn the GPS on, drive or walk down to the shops then have a look at the map, you'll see what I mean.

Get on back to us with your progress!

[jamicu]

If you haven't already paid for a map you can download a free map for your Garmin GPS receiver on the following webpage
[link to site hosting free map for garmin]

The creator of the map has been posting news on updates on a Geocaching website with some instructions [link]

The map is created using OpenStreetMap, a map which anyone can edit, and which makes the underlying mapping data available to anyone. A kind of wikipedia for maps [openstreetmap link]. The map is not complete especially in the countryside, but its free.

[Maxzues]

Many thanks for that

[montybella]

I have a Garmin etrex h, and have just purchased a lead that will connect it to my laptop, what are the best applications to buy in order to transfer info to my etrex, I know I am limited as its only a basic model and cannot transfer maps but I want make sure I buy the best application.

[jamicu]

montybella, the handheld GPS you've bought is a very basic receiver and its really only for giving you grid references when your out and about.

Garmin have a bit of softare called mapsource. I dont know what you can transfer the to your GPS but mapsource will do the job.

I think you need to registar you gps on the garmin website [link]

Mapsource should be available to download from the garmin website

[montybella]

Thanks for that Jamicu

Regards
Montybella

[rosewood10]

Hi all, brand new to garmin etrex and its applications. One thing I cannot fathom, and excuse me if i appear obtuse but I cant work it out.
How do you actually key in positions etc into the etrex H ?. The little hair I have is going fast as I am on a time limit by me nearest and dearest to work out how to work this machine.

[foxy mars]

Hi Rosewood10. I have both the Garmin Etrex H and Venture, the latter is much easier with it's joystick.

However, The Etrex H is simple enough.

Did you want to enter a grid ref, if so.

Go to menu, then mark, press enter button (bottom on the left) Now press down button twice, then the grid ref is highlighted.

Press enter button again, now it should read edit location.

Now, it will read -example XX 00000 00000
To change the grid ref, you will press enter and will see a line of letters and you will need to toggle the up/down buttons to enter your chosed letter, press enter and so on to the number. You can't change BNG, so do the same for the lower number.
Now, you should have a grid ref for a location, now press down button to highlight ok and press enter.

You are best to purchase a map software such as memory map as this will be much easier to enter way points. About £50 for a 1:50:000 regional

Hi all, brand new to garmin etrex and its applications. One thing I cannot fathom, and excuse me if i appear obtuse but I cant work it out.
How do you actually key in positions etc into the etrex H ?. The little hair I have is going fast as I am on a time limit by me nearest and dearest to work out how to work this machine.