Garmin GPS 60

[fairplay]

I have had a Garmin GPS 60 for 3-4 years now which I only really use to get an accurate grid ref for rare fungi.
Does anybody else have this one and are they happy with it ?
I chose this model as it has an outer antenna and I thought it might be better in woodlands, but a chap with Natural England said they used a system with a satellite dish and still couldn't get a decent signal in this particular deciduous wood (to mark out the ancient trees) - although they managed somehow in the end.

Another question if I may, a friend has the e-trex model and although turned off, the on/off button does not pop back up.
I told him to push the button at an angle, tilting it, but he had no success, so presumably he cannot turn it on.
Anybody have any ideas ?

Neil.

[nigel_b]

In my view Garmin are the best make of GPS but they did seem to be a bit slow to move to the higher sensitivity chip-set.

I wouldnt buy any GPS today that doesnt have the higher sensitivity.

With the older units we used to have to put up with losing satellite signals as soon as we entered tree cover. Even maintaining a position fix while walking down a forest track was difficult as the older units need a clear view of a lot of sky, not just a thin strip above your head. In general you could forget about them working indoors or in your pocket.

The newer units are entirely different and fire-up much more easily even if they dont have a clear view of the sky. I carry my etrex vista HCX in my pocket when I'm cycling now, it works fine, as the old one fell off the handlebar mount once too often.

My new etrex also has a much, much better battery life.

To my mind Garmin havent changed the mathematical algorithms for calculating position significantly, so given old and new units receiving the same number of satellites in the same pattern overhead, they should both provide the same position with the same precision.

I've had a quick google for your unit the GPS60 but cant tell whether its the old or new chipset. Hope this is useful. I dont have any connection with Garmin incidentally.

[fairplay]

My GPS 60 can take 4-5 minutes to capture enough satellites to obtain a grid ref, so I guess mine must have the old chip.

Cheers,

Neil.

[nigel_b]

4 to 5 minutes when switched on?

Out in the open? What about once its got a fix? When you turn it off and on again does it still take 4 to 5 minutes?

Once they are up and running they start to download ephemeris data which allows them to accurately and more quickly predict where the satellites are going to be at any given time. It'll help your cold-start times if you leave it on for half an hour or so out in the open so it can accumulate this ephemeris data.

In some ways they are like outboard motors, they thrive on use. They dont want to start at the beginning of the weekend but by Sunday evening are running really sweetly!

[fairplay]

It depends, if it is acclimatised, it takes about a minute to capture 3 sats when turned on again, but sometimes, turning it on again when I get to the other side of a wood (always in the open) it can take 3-4 mins to capture 3 sats again.

It might be as you say, I do not use it regularly.

Neil.