Monday, September 8, 2008

GPS

Okay.

So GPS technology has come a long ways sense the pluggers of the military.

If your wondering what sort of unit will do, here's a bit of info:

The primary requirements of which ever unit you use are
  1. It can download data from a computer
  2. It can be mounted to your handlebars
Anything from an old Garmin GPS12, an eTrex to a modern super-wammy Street Pilot will do the job.

I like to make a general categorization of GPS Receivers into Map capable and non-map capable units.

In our game, mostly the GPS unit will be used in compass mode so you can utilize the Compass Bearings as you follow the Route and Roll Charts finding your way along the route and to the hidden GeoCaches.

The Compass Bearings (guided by your Roll Chart) will be more important in some sections than just following the Route alone, due to constant satellite loss. When we get out to the Cinder Hills OHV area, this will be most important!

One advantage of the Map capable units is the software will allow rerouting if one "gets lost."

However, I must send a word of caution to the wise: Many of the roads available on the current GPS mapping software for all the makes of GPS units are incomplete and even inaccurate!

The maps I will provide will have many of my own additional data not available on any public maps of software (but instead from my own innumerable hours of exploration and mapping! What fun!)
That along with the Waypoint Key (and a headlamp if it gets really bad) will get you out of trouble.

Just ride within your ability and hopefully with a good buddy!

No comments: