Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on July 01, 2012, 08:21:03 PM
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Any suggestions what to buy and where one could get the best buy?
Thanks.
I have most backroad maps for BC but I have been told a unit for ones' vehicle is excellent too.
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If you are talking about GPS units, I'd get a Garmin handheld which allows you to download the BC backroads map books onto the unit. The last time I checked into this (about 6 months ago) there was a unit available and with the maps I mentioned the unit would run 500 bucks maybe even more. That's why I didn't buy it. TOO MUCH $$$. My buddy got one on sale at Wal Mart or Crappy Tire and he loves it. HE uses 2 GPS units. He's got the Garmin for the vehicle which shows the highway, and side roads etc and when he is looking for lakes, trails etc. he can use the handheld to closely follow his track, with the vehicle GPS mounted on the window, he can always see where he is in relation to the paved roads. One day I'm sure they will have a vehicle mounted GPS that will accept the backroads downloads.
If this post isn'y about GPS's then disregard this reply. :o
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Smart phone GPS is getting better and better and new backroad maps are always available to update. I don't have a use for one at the moment but have heard good things from other people.
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Smart phone GPS is getting better and better and new backroad maps are always available to update. I don't have a use for one at the moment but have heard good things from other people.
Problem with smart phone GPS is when you lose your service you lose your GPS.
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Problem with smart phone GPS is when you lose your service you lose your GPS.
The new google driven android phones will apparently be solving that problem.
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Nope GPS is separate from network location services. My buddy's galaxy nexus can even use Google maps while he has no data connection. And the new antennas are damn accurate
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Nope GPS is separate from network location services. My buddy's galaxy nexus can even use Google maps while he has no data connection. And the new antennas are damn accurate
yup! my Android cell keeps on ticking (GPS wise) even in cell dead zones.........very accurate.
also check out some of the Open Source maps .........
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I have a Montana 600, good unit. Don't need an extra one as it downs it all, even keeps me away from GM place automatically. ;D Except when the Habs are kicking canuck butt..
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Chris.You can buy a fair amount of gas for $500. A good map and compass don't lie.
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Chris.You can buy a fair amount of gas for $500. A good map and compass don't lie.
--I always take both... as Chris already has most of the paper copies the Garmin with Same Backroads maps as back up.
--I found now that Forestry does not enforce nor insist on road maintenance... even when it is required... not talking about roads that are not supposed to be maintained.
--I found in 100 mile area some FSR... that were so poor I could not believe I had found the correct junction with my maps... The GPS confirmed that
--I was at the correct junction thus I tried the indicated road... of course after going down a better maintained road about 30 meters away that seemed to be the correct road. What I found especially if driving with no navigator that the GPS unit allowed quick reference... this was of particular importance when hunting as some of the roads are boundaries of hunting units with different regulations. The GPS was reassurance that I was in the correct unit etc.
--I always carry back up map and if possible air photo or downloaded google map of specific areas of interest.
--Other use was for finding closest highway access or Gas Station.. again the GPS gave time and distance references that proved to be useful.
--For use in vehicle get largest screen you can afford.. if you intend to carry in the bush as well then a compromise with addition of a water proof case.
--I don't know how the interface works but I have seen some with hook up to their lap top as well giving a much larger area map.
--If you take a look on the Backboards map site they give some suggestions for compatible units.
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speaking of laptop I wonder what the cops use for GPS
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I use a Garmin Vista HCX. It's a small hand held gps and I loaded the topo Canada maps onto it. Shows most dirt roads rivers, streams and lakes and all elevations as well. I have it with me when I go hunting in my back pack in some real thick bush and usually don't get worse than +/- 4M with it which is good enough for my needs. Gps was ~$300 and maps where $80 or so if I remember correctly.
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Thanks very much to all that have given this good info.
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Smartphone GPS is pretty great nowadays and can be used offline as wel (no need for cell coverage)l. Open source maps (free) are great and there are a few others for a nominal fee.
I have not used my Garmin GPS since learning how functional and accurate my smartphone is.
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Smartphone GPS is pretty great nowadays and can be used offline as wel (no need for cell coverage)l. Open source maps (free) are great and there are a few others for a nominal fee.
I have not used my Garmin GPS since learning how functional and accurate my smartphone is.
I guess either way as long as its charged.
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I guess either way as long as its charged.
--I hate batteries and usually carry pockets full when using radios,gps etc for whole day... but Have discovered goalzero portable solar panels that can strap on to a pack or even a vest. The smallest unit is used to charge 4 double A batteries in a pack that can either take the batteries out and exchange them or use them as a power source with usb port connections for most modern electronics...there are other similar devices by different companies but I think they are well worth the investment for off the grid camping or extended camping. goalzero also manufactures larger portable solar panels some more suited for base camps where larger energy consumption is required. I like the idea of they are basically plug and play as I am somewhat challenged with the use of modern electronics.
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Another option is the iPad. Free topo maps, cheap programs including Navionics and a screen that is big enough to see without the glasses. GPS is accurate and seems to pick up satellites as well as my Garmin gps.
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Come on... :o
Smart phone is cellphone.... its not an outdoor GPS...
smart phone GPS works without network signals..yah... but have you guyz tried it in the forest? ( I am not talking about stanely park or capilano park)
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smart phone GPS works without network signals..yah... but have you guyz tried it in the forest? ( I am not talking about stanely park or capilano park)
Yes
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smart phone GPS works without network signals..yah... but have you guyz tried it in the forest? ( I am not talking about stanely park or capilano park)
Yes.
Don't forget all smartphones are not equal. Specifically I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and I would marry it if I was allowed. I might have an affair with the S3 if she lets me.
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just bought a montana 650 and love it. the touch screen is great and also makes it user friendly. tracking is essential when using backroads or no road at all. i bought mine from gpscity.ca. best price i found locally.
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Yes.
Don't forget all smartphones are not equal. Specifically I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and I would marry it if I was allowed. I might have an affair with the S3 if she lets me.
i have the same phone and would not rely on it for backroads. its not waterproof and its battery life is not good.
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its not waterproof and its battery life is not good.
Good Points. These are definitely the major limitations. In the rain mine is in a Ziploc and I have an extra battery as well as a AA charger.
However, in a vehicle driving on the backroads, the phone is always charged and rain isn't an issue.
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Chris
I have an old laptop, with back road map from GPS Central. You can buy for one hundred dollars a Zenstar GPS receiver that plugs in to you USB port.
I have Nobeltec Marine charts as well loaded on the computer and navigate a tugboat all over the BC coast with same computer. Zenstar receiver is used by most of the commercial fish boat on the coast.
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For a few years now, I have been using a laptop with an external GPS unit.
The GPS unit (I'll have to wait until I get home to check the model) connects to the laptop with Bluetooth so you will need a USB Bluetooth unit as well.
I think I paid around $75 for the GPS unit and $20 for the Bluetooth unit.
In addition to the hardware, you will need mapping software.
For road travel, I have been using "Microsoft Streets and Trips".
For off road, I use the digital copy of the "Backroads" book.
I put a post up here a few years ago: http://forum.flybc.ca/index.php?showtopic=10978
Which links to another post: http://fishbcforum.com/index.php?showtopic=51742
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Just came across this, must be new.
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/mobile/mobile-phones/all-phones/SGH-A836DKARWC-features (http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/mobile/mobile-phones/all-phones/SGH-A836DKARWC-features)
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Noticed that Canadian tire have a couple of units on sale in the new flyer that starts today.
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The reason I am suggesting the Zenstar GPS receiver is, it’s hard wired into the USB port. I have an old computer for off road use.
Android has an app called, BackCountry Navigator Android. This app downloads software that turns you cell phone into a GPS receiver independent of a data plan, or cell reception. You download maps for the area you want.
The Zenstar, with BC off road maps gives you a lot more detail , for off road use that’s what you want.
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Thanks all again, you all have been very helpful. This is #3 on my list as buying a portable DVD player and a VHS to DVD converter so I can get over 20 year old VHS tapes converted before they disintegrate. Should I ask here what to buy on this thread too. ;D ;D
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Try this and use the extra time on the water. http://www.dvdhome.ca/ (http://www.dvdhome.ca/). He did some Super 8 to dvd for me and I am very happy.
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Thanks all again, you all have been very helpful. This is #3 on my list as buying a portable DVD player and a VHS to DVD converter so I can get over 20 year old VHS tapes converted before they disintegrate. Should I ask here what to buy on this thread too. ;D ;D
Rather than converting your VHS tapes to DVD's, you might want to look at converting them to a digital format that can be viewed on your computer. DVD's will also be obsolete in a few years as everything is being downloaded via the internet. (I believe all the new Apple Macbooks are being sold without DVD players.) The simplest way of converting the VHS files to digital, is to plug the output of your VHS player into the input of your digital Camcorder, then transfer the Camcorder file to your computer. http://www.brandinteractivism.com/2007/11/how-to-digitize.html (http://www.brandinteractivism.com/2007/11/how-to-digitize.html)
You could then download those files to Youtube or just play them on your computer. Rather than just storing the video files on your computer (because they do crash) you should store them on internet storage service like Google Drive.
I haven't done this with VHS files, however we have just completed scanning and downloading all our family photos into a digital format and we are using Google's Picasa as a cataloging tool. I am now looking into how to transfer our old collection of vinyl record albums into a digital format.
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Old vinyl?? check out London Drugs or NCIX and grab a USB record player makes the transfer easy peasy, they run around $100. Connect to your computer and bobs your uncle.
And I wouldnt worry to much about DVDs contrary to what people say, they will be around for a while yet.
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Thanks all again, you all have been very helpful. This is #3 on my list as buying a portable DVD player and a VHS to DVD converter so I can get over 20 year old VHS tapes converted before they disintegrate. Should I ask here what to buy on this thread too. ;D ;D
I betcha someone you know has a video capture card on their computer. If not they are cheap to buy and easy to install/use (USB).
Basically it would be a matter of pressing play on the VCR and pressing record on the capture software. Once "captured" in digital format on your computer it is easy to edit, burn to DVD, upload to youtube etc...
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Yes ask away. Don't waste money on a converter you are going to use once. I would suggest getting a video card for your computer that has video in capabilities. You will be able to use it later for things like recording TV or anything really. I assume you have a VCR already.
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Old vinyl?? check out London Drugs or NCIX and grab a USB record player makes the transfer easy peasy, they run around $100. Connect to your computer and bobs your uncle.
And I wouldnt worry to much about DVDs contrary to what people say, they will be around for a while yet.
Yes longer than me. ??? ;D