GPS: What are you using?

[Nobody Famous]

That's the big downside to using Garmin, they're very tight-fisted with map updates (don't know if magellan or their other compeditors do it any different, though). In almost all cases you have to pay for updated maps. The only exception is if you bought some of the mapping software after a later version was released, then you are entitled to a free update.

They are, however, very good with firmware updates to the actual GPS units themselves, and to the map viewer/routing programs (i.e., MapSource mentioned above). These seem to come out in a steady stream to fix issues and to expand functionality, and are free.

[Snow Dog]

Reopening this thread to report Garmin has updated their MapSource program. One of the new features is a tool to join tracks. Get the update and enable the Track Edit toolbar in Mapsource, and it's all quit easy now. Played with it to join a bunch of broken tracks from past adventures, it works well.

Sweet, that was on my request list.

As far as maps go, they're just copies of the government issue maps which don't get updated very often. The Northern BC maps are probably 30 years old.

[soul_skier]

I was going to call BS on teh GPS / Beacon interference, but I just turned a beacon onto receive and turned on the GPS. Sure enough I got a lot of noise in when the two were in close proximity. It was just noise when the devices were within 2-feet of each other, and not a directional signal. I'd be curious to know how much this EM interference actually disrupts a beacon signal or search.

definitly true, when practicing with my old school orthovox i got a crapload of distortion from my ipod, af first i didn't think it was possible, but it was definitly creating a low level static on my beacon, don't know if it would affect range, but why take the chance.

[rsknight1]

I have a Magellan Map 330. It is about five years old and is used mainly in the boat or hiking. Kind of primitive compared to what is out now, but it does what I need it to. I never have tried it out while skiing, but it would be interesting to measure speed...