Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:50:49 -0700
- Message No. 2311
From: "Darrin Fink"
Subject: GPS in USA
Richard and the group....
Thanks for doing that homework on the Garmin GPS III.
In Wal-Mart yesterday, I wondered what mapping software was loaded into the
GPS III. I inspected the four sides of the box that I could see (it was in
a glass case) and all I found was "detailed mapping software built-in!"
If the US-user noticed a lack of detail when panning outside of North
America, what do you guys see when panning over to the USA? Do you lose
detail outside of Europe, or do you guys get a more complete map?
Since I didn't get to open the box, I'm wondering about the antenna mounting
system. I know the antenna can mount horizontally or vertically. I used a
Megellan with 'rotatable antenna' on my KLR 650. I can report nothing good
about this. The vibration from the big single cylinder killed my GPS in one
summer, even mounted through rubber.
The problems are intermittant, repairable, and related to the antenna mount.
The BNC type connection that is used to couple the antenna to the GPS fails
under heavy vibration, and must be replaced in short time. The last time I
repaired it, I used silicone between the antenna plastic and GPS plastic. I
thought I'd solved the problem for good, but now my GPS will receive six
sats, then suddenly none.
I'm suspecting a broken or 'cold' solder joint. Time to crack it open again
for a little more surgery........ Someone recently mentioned to avoid the
Megellan stuff. I agree.
Darrin Fink doki7xh@coffey.com
Y-Knot Ranch
Douglas, Wyoming

dipper@normans.isd.uni-stuttgart.de