 Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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on: May 04, 2012, 06:20:54 AM
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pgadola
Posts: 24
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« on: May 04, 2012, 06:20:54 AM » |
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I have my own Spot, how do you 'register' it for the TD?
I just bought the eTrex 30...I know that Topofusion will have the gpx file of choice, but do I need to purchase additional maps from Garmin? Also, will I need the SD card?
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #1 on: May 04, 2012, 06:43:36 AM
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sluttyduck
Posts: 115
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« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2012, 06:43:36 AM » |
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you should get an email sometime(soon?) about the spot registering.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #2 on: May 09, 2012, 05:26:45 PM
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rooster14
Location: Oxford, Oh
Posts: 48
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« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2012, 05:26:45 PM » |
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stephen, PM sent
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ships are safe in the harbor but that is not what ships are for.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #3 on: May 16, 2012, 12:09:11 PM
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tlane3of6
Posts: 37
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« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2012, 12:09:11 PM » |
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FYI, REI has the eTrex 30 on sale this weekend for $219.99. (not affiliated with REI or Garmin)
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #4 on: May 16, 2012, 12:55:54 PM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2012, 12:55:54 PM » |
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FYI, REI has the eTrex 30 on sale this weekend for $219.99. (not affiliated with REI or Garmin)
Cool, thanks! After riding Kokopelli's last weekend, my eTrex Vista HCx is having shut-down problems. I'm trying to decide whether I want to attempt to fix it, or buy a eTrex 30. The sale might make my decisions easier! |
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"Done"
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #5 on: May 16, 2012, 06:20:52 PM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2012, 06:20:52 PM » |
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I have my own Spot, how do you 'register' it for the TD?
I just bought the eTrex 30...I know that Topofusion will have the gpx file of choice, but do I need to purchase additional maps from Garmin? Also, will I need the SD card?
No card or maps needed on the eTrex 30. Just Topofusion GPX file. |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #6 on: May 16, 2012, 07:28:46 PM
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pgadola
Posts: 24
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« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2012, 07:28:46 PM » |
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Thanks Chad.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #7 on: May 17, 2012, 02:39:10 AM
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mcmurv
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 85
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« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2012, 02:39:10 AM » |
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pgadola:
As a caveat to what Chad said. I use a Delorme PN60W for my gps. The gpx file only provides the line for you to follow on your gps. Without the maps, you won't have any idea of your surroundings. You won't see any roads, towns, just the line for you to follow.
My recommendation is to load the maps for the route.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #8 on: May 17, 2012, 08:03:16 AM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2012, 08:03:16 AM » |
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pgadola:
As a caveat to what Chad said. I use a Delorme PN60W for my gps. The gpx file only provides the line for you to follow on your gps. Without the maps, you won't have any idea of your surroundings. You won't see any roads, towns, just the line for you to follow.
My recommendation is to load the maps for the route.
I think I am going to start a Rent-a-GPS company with the track/map loaded and delivered to your day for $100 for three weeks. |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #9 on: May 17, 2012, 01:49:55 PM
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pgadola
Posts: 24
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« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2012, 01:49:55 PM » |
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can download maps from topofusion.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #10 on: May 17, 2012, 09:27:38 PM
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rooster14
Location: Oxford, Oh
Posts: 48
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« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2012, 09:27:38 PM » |
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does anyone have a recommendation for any extra maps to purchase/download from topofusion for the etrex30?
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ships are safe in the harbor but that is not what ships are for.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #11 on: May 20, 2012, 12:40:29 PM
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GJ MTBiker
Posts: 3
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« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2012, 12:40:29 PM » |
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I am looking to purchase a GPS for Bikepacking and would like to find one easy to use and can upload TOPO maps. I saw that eTrex 30 is on sale at REI. Anyone a fan of this model?
Thanks!
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #12 on: May 20, 2012, 07:06:31 PM
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rhino-x
Posts: 34
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« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2012, 07:06:31 PM » |
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I think I am going to start a Rent-a-GPS company with the track/map loaded and delivered to your day for $100 for three weeks.
And I would take you up on that. Next year. |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #13 on: May 20, 2012, 08:41:27 PM
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jryter
Location: Gunnison, CO
Posts: 134
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« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2012, 08:41:27 PM » |
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I use Garmin Mapsource to open the map product such as ( https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=255&pID=28229) -good topo map with up to date roads- and then you can open the track from track leaders and send it to either the GPS or the sd card. Only 10000 data points per track-Scott has a version with 10000 that you can download. And only one track to the card or more to the internal memory. You select the maps you want to put on the GPS and send it to the card or GPS> I put it on a card as the map file is large with this long of race. I don't think you can put other maps other than Garmin products on (or at least easily). You have to buy the maps on card or download or poach from a friend. I should sell the SD cards with the data loaded!! I also sent all the way points (food/water/bikeshops/etc) from the ACA gpx files to the garmin/card. OH I have a garmin Etrex 20 and used it for 2 days with lithium batteries and it is still showing quite a bit of juice left. Takes some time to learn all the tricks so don't delay. |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #14 on: May 21, 2012, 07:03:34 AM
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pgadola
Posts: 24
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« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2012, 07:03:34 AM » |
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I use Garmin Mapsource to open the map product such as ( https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=255&pID=28229) -good topo map with up to date roads- and then you can open the track from track leaders and send it to either the GPS or the sd card. Only 10000 data points per track-Scott has a version with 10000 that you can download. And only one track to the card or more to the internal memory. You select the maps you want to put on the GPS and send it to the card or GPS> I put it on a card as the map file is large with this long of race. I don't think you can put other maps other than Garmin products on (or at least easily). You have to buy the maps on card or download or poach from a friend. I should sell the SD cards with the data loaded!! I also sent all the way points (food/water/bikeshops/etc) from the ACA gpx files to the garmin/card. OH I have a garmin Etrex 20 and used it for 2 days with lithium batteries and it is still showing quite a bit of juice left. Takes some time to learn all the tricks so don't delay. Is it better to buy the map from Garmin on the SD card so there's plenty of room on the GPS for the Topofusion gpx file? |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #15 on: May 21, 2012, 07:43:16 AM
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jryter
Location: Gunnison, CO
Posts: 134
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« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2012, 07:43:16 AM » |
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Is it better to buy the map from Garmin on the SD card so there's plenty of room on the GPS for the Topofusion gpx file?
You can purchase the card or just save the maps from your computer (if you buy DVD or download) to a card you can buy and stick in the back. I would save the map on the SD card on the GPS- you can run out of space if you are saving your track on the divide. It is also harder to use the maps to look at on your computer etc if you buy it on a card--buy the DVD or download. They may let you copy the maps from card you buy to your computer but I did have one I bought on a card and you couldn't use the maps on other GPSs or use them on a computer. I don't know for sure with this one. Good luck! |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #16 on: May 21, 2012, 06:59:41 PM
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aaron w
Location: Salida, CO
Posts: 171
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« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2012, 06:59:41 PM » |
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Anyone know if there's any interference issues from having a spot close to other devices like a gps or a smartphone etc?
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #17 on: May 21, 2012, 08:10:55 PM
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mikepro
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 559
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« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2012, 08:10:55 PM » |
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I don't know about specific issues, but it sure seems logical from best-practice standpoint, to give the antenna/receiver for each device the most "un-cluttered" air space to send/receive signals. Keep the GPS navi device up front in the cock-pit and keep the Spot device in the back (top of backpack, mesh pouch in rear of backpack, mesh pouch on saddlebag, etc.). Keep the smartphone fully turned off (not just on 'airplane' mode) and only fire it up when standing away from the other devices, or turn the other devices off if you have to make that call or text while racing. Knowing how finicky these devices can be, especially Spot units, it makes sense to increase the performance of the device(s) - and keeping them at arms length from each other, like bickering siblings, seems simple enough.
Beardog alluded to smartphone + Spot being too close together (as in directly side by side), in his blog write-up or some other post in this forum, regarding the recent running of the AZT, and that's the first I've seen direct mention. Maybe he said GPS unit + Spot too close together, but same idea. I've seen and read of several bike set-ups where the riders say they carry the Spot up front in the handlebar bag/pouch or some other custom variation under aerobars, along with a handlebar-mounted GPS, and no mention of negative impacts of cross-talk or decreased device performance. So, that's roughly 6" to 12" of separation. Still, I go with the front/rear method.
Related - the wireless cyclometer I use fritzes out big time when too close to such devices, including handlebar lights. I didn't use GPS on the TDR since the cues are well written and simple to follow, but GPS seems standard issue for CTR and AZT so I've recently picked up the eTrex 30, and the wireless cyclometer will be replaced with a wired one or will be left at home entirely.
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #18 on: May 22, 2012, 03:14:37 AM
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zkantor
Location: Israel
Posts: 20
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« Reply #18 on: May 22, 2012, 03:14:37 AM » |
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My two cent on the subject, after playing with my etrex 30 noticed that the wireless cyclometer went bust. In fact there is an interference with the wireless signal of the cyclometer, best as mikepro noted to go wired or to move them apart if possible. I just moved it couple of cm and it works just fine. On another point, instead of buying Garmin topo maps I downloaded from here http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/all free topo maps and loaded to the external card. PS - this is my first post in the forum (listed for the TD2012...) Cheers, Zohar |
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Topic Name: Spot, eTrex 30
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Reply #19 on: May 22, 2012, 05:00:21 AM
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DenisVTT
Location: Beautiful downtown Darnestown, MD
Posts: 278
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« Reply #19 on: May 22, 2012, 05:00:21 AM » |
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Anyone know if there's any interference issues from having a spot close to other devices like a gps or a smartphone etc?
From Spot's FAQ: Q: How far should other GPS devices be from SPOT to prevent signal interference?
A: Other devices should be at least 12 inches from SPOT to prevent distortion of GPS coordinates and interference with message transmission. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=1700&action=showEntry&data=1239Like others said, best is probably to have the GPS on the handlebar and the Spot somewhere behind you. |
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- Denis aka Ze Diesel
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