Do you want to know that you have a GPS you can be certain will lead you to different caches, under different conditions, … and then home again? A GPS you can set and forget? A GPS you are confident will keep you and your co-hunting friends and family safe?
If so, Garmin Gmaps 60CSx is an important GPS to consider for geocaching.
Why?
Because it does all this:
It is phenomenally sensitive and remains locked unto satellite signals even under tree cover, even under cloud cover. It is super accurate. Full stop. It has a map screen so you can easily see where you are relative to everything else. You can read the screen clearly in bright sunlight. It’s small. It’s light. It can take being bounced around – which it will be, of course. It’s waterproof. You can programme in up to 20 routes. You can save up to 1000 waypoints (reference points to keep you on track) You can save your track unto the memory card. Keep it secure, even if you switch off. Afterwards you can download the data and analyse your hunt – to share your glory with all and sundry, or improve your game. It’s batteries last a long time. It’s ultra easy to use.
So your Garmin Gmaps 60CSx makes it possible for you to simply load up your cache positions for the day, and head off for a day of fun and games. Easy as pie.
That’s why Garmin Gmaps 60CSx could be one of the best handheld GPS units for geocaching.
By: Tessa Green
Posts Tagged ‘Batteries’
Best Handheld GPS Units for Geocaching Part 1 – Garmin Gmaps 60CSX
January 19th, 2010How To Detect GPS Tracking Units
November 1st, 2009
The new GPS auto tracker technology allows just about anyone to track anyone else. In addition almost all new cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities built in to them. Some even have the ability to transmit location information even with the battery removed. All of which make you wonder what happened to personal privacy. The answer is that there really is no privacy. Granted there are legal restrictions as to how and when you can use the new tracking technology however detecting GPS tracking units can sometimes be difficult.
There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.
Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.
The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking units are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.
Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.
Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect. In addition if you feel that you are being tracked illegally you can contact your local law enforcement agency and let them do a scan of the vehicle or personal effects in question. Many small law enforcement agencies do not have this capability and in that case you have the option to purchase a scanning unit and do the scan yourself.
A word to the wise if you are involved in a criminal enterprise. Much of what we have outlined here will not prevent US government agencies from tracking you and your vehicles.
In most cases it is illegal to track just about anyone without their permission. However given the fact that is so hard to detect many tracking devices it is likely that illegal GPS auto tracker and personal tracking device technology will continue to be used.
By: Jim Kesel
