"LRLake" wrote in message
...
Any suggestions? Anyone using them regularly? Is GPS really as good as it
sounds or are there things you don't like about it?

Joe,

I sprang for a Garmin Legend last fall. I now consider it indespensible.
It
goes everywhere with me just like the compass and loggers tape.

I find that when used with the Maptech product I save a lot of time
locating
parcels in the boonies. No more hunting for 'K' tags or wondering where
section lines cross the road.

It really helps to buy Garmin's topo map set to download to the GPS. The
basic
information in the machine provides little or no help any distance from
major
roads (blank screen). You still need maptech though, for land net because
the
garmin map product has no section info. May not make any difference in
your
area because of the lack of a public land survey.

If you get one you'll be hooked and save time. You can transfer field
info to
the maps from the GPS with much greater accuracy than scetching. My
experience
has been that the unit is pretty damn accurate ... in the range of 1/2
chain if
used carefully. One very cool thing is, if you do good office setup, no
more
pacing and measuring distance. You just go to the point.

Don't pay for a compass. Your silva is probably better and easier to use.

The compass feature is the one I'm most concerned about. As you say, it may
not be all that usefull, especially for those of us who have used a hand
compass for a long time. My understanding from doing some reading is that
there are 2 type of GPS compass- the simpler type just simulated a compass
by the info it gets from the satellittes. The others are a genuine compass
which will work even if you can't get a satellitte signal. With the Garmin
76S Map unit, the unit must be held vertically to get a signal so that kind
of negates having a compass built in as to see the compass you want to hold
it horizontally. The Magellan Platinum's built in compass is "3 axis" so you
can hold it anyway whithout losing the signal. I'm tempted to spend extra to
get the compass since if I don't, I'll probably find out later that I wish I
had. My main interest in the GPS is to locate cruise plots. Locating them
with hand compass and pacing really sucks. Radio Shack has Magellan and they
have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. Best Buy carries Garmen but
I didn't think to ask about a return policy. I really don't mind spending a
lot for a very usefull tool. When I buy computers, I buy the top of the
line- it's worth it.


Besides, as long as you're moving, the GPS gives you a heading.

Have fun. They're a great tool. Every forester should have one. You'll
get
hooked.

The units are around $200 and the mapping packages $100 apiece.


I've got Maptech on my computer- too bad no GPS can download Maptech contour
map info (of course they can dowload points and tracks, etc.)- you have to
buy the map software that the GPS company sells. Nice little after market
gimick!


Larry