GPS systems

[rile42]

I'm considering getting a handheld GPS for my son for Christmas. I've noticed alot of posts here from people that use them while traveling on Amtrak. Since I don't know much about them, I would appreciate any info on what you have, what you'd like, etc.

I know this is a bit off-track and apologize for posting here but, my ulterior motive is to borrow the thing as I travel the LD trains which is quite a bit.

 

[XNWA]

I'm considering getting a handheld GPS for my son for Christmas. I've noticed alot of posts here from people that use them while traveling on Amtrak. Since I don't know much about them, I would appreciate any info on what you have, what you'd like, etc. I know this is a bit off-track and apologize for posting here but, my ulterior motive is to borrow the thing as I travel the LD trains which is quite a bit.

I have a handheld Garmin GPS that I bought last spring mainly for camping and fishing. I too would be interested on how to use it for train travel.

 

[tahoejeff]

i'll be following this one closely for my own education. i don't really have specific answers for you, since gps didn't exist last time i rode amtrak.

i have an Etrex Legend, which i have been quite happy with. it has been failing lately, so i just bought a compact flash type gps receiver that fits into my Dell Axim pda. this gives me a larger screen, with color, and the software even gives me voice directions while driving. it's the Globalsat bc-337, and i'm using software called Pocketmap Navigator.

the etrex legend is small, and doesn't have color. the one good feature is that it runs on 2 AA batteries. my new gps/pda combo will have to be recharged on the train every few hours. the one big advantage my new setup has is that it has an external antennae i can plug in, and stick to the train window with the suction cup. the legend would have to be held up to the window constantly.

there are also inexpensive gps units that hook up to a laptop via usb. these are not very practical when driving. some of these can also be used with a pda if you have that. if this interests you, search amazon.com for microsoft streets and trips 2006. they were selling it with the gps device included for only $65 earlier this week.

i may be able to give more advice, depending on the main uses your son will have, and your budget.

i'll give a report on how well my setup worked after my january trip Chi to Reno.

 

[AlanB]

A basic primer on GPS and trains can be found here on OTOL.

 

[Bigval109]

I'm considering getting a handheld GPS for my son for Christmas. I've noticed alot of posts here from people that use them while traveling on Amtrak. Since I don't know much about them, I would appreciate any info on what you have, what you'd like, etc. I know this is a bit off-track and apologize for posting here but, my ulterior motive is to borrow the thing as I travel the LD trains which is quite a bit.

I have a Garmin 3200. It has worked well on the long distant trains. Giving not only location but altitude.

 

[gswager]

Also it tells you how fast is the train going and tell you where are you. I even tried it once on airplane. It goes 30,000 feet in elevation and the speed is 530 mph!

The disadvantage of using GPS is weak reception. You'll need to put it right next to the window in order to get a good reception.

 

[user 683]

I have used a GARMIN GPS III+ and GARMIN e-Trex with moderate success. The III+ pulls in signals better than the e-Trex, but the e-Trex has more memory for recording tracks. I made an e-Trex window mount out of a small piece of plexi-glass and two suction cups. Basically, I attach the e-Trex belt clip to the plexi-glass and voila. I then place a small hand towel or whatever behind and near the bottom of the e-Trex to tilt the antenna upward. This is not always necessary, but it does help minimize signal reception losses.

I am not familiar with the MAGELLAN product line, but I am sure their units are comparable to the GARMIN products. I do recommend a unit that has the ability to connect to a computer. This will allow you to down load your tracks to a mapping application, and/or use the application in real time as your GPS records your position.

One other possibility to seriously consider is the DeLorme GPS system that interactively connects with their Street Atlas mapping application. If I am not mistaken, their GPS antenna has a built in pre-amp that really helps bring in signals. I have not used their GPS system, but I am really impressed with their Street Atlas software. The only downside to this is you need to run your computer to view your location and related information (speed, distance traveled, etc.).

I have not experienced any problems transferring GPS data between Street Atlas and my GARMIN GPS receivers. For example, I'll transfer track data from my GPS receiver to Street Atlas to get a better idea of "where I've been". Similarly, I'll mark waypoints in Street Atlas and then transfer them to the GPS unit.

Hope this helps!

Deimos

 

[DaveKCMO]

i just bought a garmin etrex and plan to use it on my cross-country trip i'm planning. to afix the unit close to the window, couldn't you just use a suction cup with a built-in hook and secure the etrex to it using the "D-ring" on the back?

 

[user 683]

i just bought a garmin etrex and plan to use it on my cross-country trip i'm planning. to afix the unit close to the window, couldn't you just use a suction cup with a built-in hook and secure the etrex to it using the "D-ring" on the back?

Yes - one suction cup with a hook would probably work - that is if you simply place the small hook on the back of the e-trex cover on the suction cup hook, but then the unit would swing back and forth, and bump against the window. The unit may even fall off the hook.

The plexi-glass is only about 1 x 3 inches - just the right size to receive the belt hook and to support the suction cups.

I'll see if I have a picture of this set up on my computer and post a link later.

Deimos

 

[MrFSS]

I received THIS ONE last year. Has all the suction cups, etc, and also plays DVD movies. Haven't tried it on a train, yet, but works well in the car.

 

[user 683]

e-trex with home made window mount -

I've found that Lithium batteries provide sufficient power for at least 24 hours, and probably more. I have never tried to see how long it takes for the Lithium batteries to die. I also purchased a small 120 AC - 12 DC converter which I used to power the e-trex on my last trip. This worked pretty well - except for the fact it was one more contraption to pack and hook up.

The e-trex setup without external power is pretty simply and works well in coach.

I also tried using an external antenna (with its own window mount) connected to my GPS III+. This worked pretty well, though the antenna needs to be tilted upward to achieve adequate reception. The antenna is shown its "flat' position for the picture. The antenna shown draws power from the GPS III+ so I highly recommend use of an external power source (i.e. a 120 AC -12 DC converter) in for this configuration.

Deimos

 

[DaveKCMO]

let's say i didn't want to craft my own gadget for keeping the GPS unit in place... is it at all beneficial to take one-time readings of speed and/or location?

 

[user 683]

let's say i didn't want to craft my own gadget for keeping the GPS unit in place... is it at all beneficial to take one-time readings of speed and/or location?

It depends upon your particular interests. You can certainly turn on your GPS receiver to obtain aperiodic geographic information about your trip while the train stopped or even while its moving slowly. The down side is you will not have any real time information, such as current location and speed between stations, and you will not record track points (the bread crumb trail of your journey).

Keep in mind that the GPS receiver needs to initialize every time you turn it on, and this could take some time if the new location is appreciably different than the location the receiver last computed. This time varies from receiver to receiver and largely depends on signal quality and the number of GPS satellites the receiver can identify when it is turned on. Basically, this is not an instantaneous computation. The receiver won't "initialize" if it computes large errors - and this could occur if it tries to initialize while the train is in motion. So, if you lose reception for a period of time or try turning on your receiver while the train is moving your receiver may not initialize until the train stops or until signal improves. Unfortunately, GPS signal quality that you realize on the train is less than the quality you typically realize while riding in a car. That is your common GPS receiver will typically be able to initialize while in a moving car, but not necessarily while in a moving train. This is due to the metal structure of the train and due to fact the GPS antenna is typically oriented vertically on the train and horizontally in a car.

To coin a phrase - your mileage will vary due to various factors that inhibit signal reception.

Deimos