norad,

I have a Garmin eTrex Vista, which has a built in compass and altimeter. You don't have to be moving to get a bearing, although it does have to be held level to get an accurate reading. And then it is succeptible to local magnetic variation- I tried finding a GeoCache near "Magnetic Rock" up in the BWCA, and the compass was near useless. If you know your altitude, you can use the altimeter as a barometer instead.

These are the GPS's I've owned or used:

Garmin 250 (panel mounted in a Cessna 172)
Garmin Pilot II
Garmin Pilot III+
Garmin 400/430 (panel mounted in a Cirrus SR20 and Cessna 182RG)
Garmin eTrex Vista (my current hiking GPS)
Garmin 296 (my driving and flying GPS)

Now I'm lusting after the new 396, which has XM Weather built in. It's also $1000 more than my 296, and the Weather subscription costs $30/ month. It's the latter that I squawk at more than anything, so I'm probably NOT going to get it. I can see the value of it though, if I flew more I'd certainly get it.

One thing I would really like to use a GPS for is canoe trips. However, I'd have to bring an extra pack for the batteries- paddling several hours a day would go through quite a few on a week long trip. But I grew up navigating with a compass and landmarks, with the old low-res fisher maps. Never been lost on a canoe trip. Maps are a lot better now, and I bring the GPS, just don't turn it on.

You don't have to be moving if the gps has a built in compass and altimeter.

You don't need to keep the GPS on all the time. Just turn it on when you need to get a sense of where you are relative to where you were (saved waypoint) and where you want to be (pre-entered waypoint - preferably using a PC & a PC-interface, but could also be entered using a USGS Topo map with UTM gridlines and a UTM grid tool). In between GPS readings, use your compass to follow the bearing taken off the compass.

I tend to be VERY battery conservative while out and about, whether it be flashlights, radios, or GPS's.

I have the Garmin Vista Color model. It includes compass and altimeter. IIRC, Garmin claims about 30 hours of battery life. I also turn it off between readings except when it's operating on vehicular electricity. Battery life does not seem to be a problem. I also find it much easier to use a conventional compass than the GPS compass.

When I was deciding on which GPS to get last year, I found the Garmin 60CS to be very attractive due to its larger screen, larger memory (56 vs. 28 mb), and easily attached external antenna. However, the Vista case appears to have superior watertight integrity. Sometimes the basics are just too important to risk.

Incidentally, I need to thank Mat. His recommendation to use transparent screen covers was an excellent idea. During my first trip, the GPS worked its way out of pocket and landed face down on gravel. Thanks to the screen cover, the GPS sustained no scratches to the screen.

John

Mine seems to get all squirrely when I stop. I will glance at my pin-on True Nord before I begin moving again and the Rino always seems to come back on course after a few seconds. I'll get it out and double check just the compass feature tonight.

Regards, Vince

Brangdon,

The thermometer is of minimal utility. Mostly I like the shape and size of the Suunto Comet. The thermometer is an extra bonus. It does have a wind-chill chart on the back. I am not sure how I would know what the wind speed is. I carry it in my watch pocket and it always says 90 degrees. It has a great size, shape, and declination scale that works. I went to our local mall Knife Shop and bought a Suunto Clipper with glow in the dark dial and bezel and put that in it. I don’t think a thermometer has survival value. I use the Cody Lundin test for hypothermia: if you can’t touch your little finger to your thumb - you are in trouble.

I checked the Rino last night. It appears that you do have to be moving to get the compass to work reliably. Several times I tried navigating, stopping, and doing a 180 degree turn. The compass ring moved with me. I began moving again and it corrected.

I quote from the manual (horrors!): "The Compass Ring does not function as a magnetic compass when you are stationary. Although the bearing to a point will be correct, you must be moving in order for the compass functions to work properly."

Maybe it should work as a map compass but mine does not--at least not reliably. I've only got one year of hunting with it under my belt though so I'm sure there are plenty of things I don't know about it yet.

Regards, Vince

Which version of the Rino do you have? I looked on the Garmin website, and only the Rino 130 has an "electronic compass".

"- Electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still "

Mine is the 110. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> That probably explains it.

I once read somewhere that you need to be moving at least 5 mph (a good fast walk will do) to get a decent directional reading using purely the GPS positional information.

For finding directions I still prefer a good magnetic compass that I can play around with without worrying about the batteries draining. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />