hand held gps???

[Dozer]

Will a Nuvi 550 allow me to track my atv trails and save them and seperate trail systems in each place I ride? I already have alot of trails and points saved on my H20, If I save them to a SD card can I get them loaded onto the Garmin?

[hamms-scooter]

Are you sure that is the H2Oc for $169 and not the regular H2O? I got mine at another big box store for $265.

Yup I am looking at the ad right now and in bold letters H2O © I almost fell over that is a deal for sure. They are closing out this unit and it isn't being made anymore.New ones out now. Wouldn't stop me from buying one if I didn't have one already!Ad good through march 14

[MuleShack]

The Garmin Dakota series handhelds are they new for 2010??

if so are they replacing the lower level oregon series handhelds or no??

I was looking at the oregon 300 on amazon and they said a new product is available ie the Dakota 20?? help??

I thought the Oregons were a step up from the Dakotas...

[Norm1980]

I guess i'm not really sure thats why im asking on here. From what ive found reading on the internet the Dakota has a smaller size screen and less resolution then the oregons do. My question was are the Dakota 10 & 20 models replacing the oregon 200 & 300 or not. I went to scheels to look at an Oregon 300 which they didn't have, but they did have the dakota 10 & 20

[croixflats]

I dont know if Garmin will be phasing out the 200 or 300. It could be a possibility but I think suppliers are just stocking the new product and trying to sell them. For the money I think the Dakota is a better value than the Oregon 200 and 300. For a bit more IMO the Oregon 450 be better but I think you can find some good deals for the Dakotas if you looked hard enough.

I think the 450 is more comparable to the Dakota 20. They both have the 3 axis compass where the 200 and 300 dont.

The 450 and the Dakotas have a new screen to enhance viewing in the daylight where the 200 and 300 dont.

Garmin does not make it easy to choose with model to get that's for sure.

The Oregon's have a few more features but with the Dakota's you get longer battery life with the smaller screen and lower resolution with some of the high end features the Oregon offers.

Ive been trying to talk myself into switching from the 76cx to the Oregon 550, I like the camera aspect

or to the 5.5 inch display of the GPS 620 then I could use it with my Garmin fish finder. But then again were talking more costly units.

Doesnt this make you want to pull your hair out trying to pick one?

[eyebjim]

I have been looking into upgrading from my h2oc to a Garmin 450. I have done some searching though forums on them and there are many people that have been complaining about them not receiving WAAS very well and that effecting the accuracy. Does anyone know if that is localized to certain areas in the US or all over. They were specifically saying the older Garmins were much more accurate and picked up WAAS much better.

Anyone?

[croixflats]

The Oregon uses a differant chip set then say the 60 and 76 series.

Here is something I found that may help.

GPS SYSTEMS WITH Auto-AGPS - 20081023 :

- Garmin Edge 605/705 Bike GPS (SIFv2 - with v2.20)

- Garmin nuvi 2x5 (STM/Rx Networks GPStream)

- Garmin nüvi 5xx (STM/Rx Networks GPStream)

- Garmin nüvi 7xx (SIFv2)

- Garmin nüvi 7x5 (HofFix with MTK v1 chipset)

- Garmin nüvi 8xx (HofFix with MTK v1 chipset)

- Garmin Oregon (STM/Rx Networks GPStream)

- HP iPaq 310 (Centrality Titan Chipset with Autonomy)

- Medion P4425 (Centrality AtlasIII chipset with SIF v2 - available with latest ROM update)

- Navigon 1210, 2210, 7200/72100 (SIF v2)

- Mio Moov 200 and 300 (SIFv2)

- Becker Z-101 and Z-200 (SIF v2)

- Navman S30/S50 3D - (SIFv2 - UK Only ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

News item on the portal

SiRF have just announced SiRFInstantFixII for faster GPS acquisition. Compared to SiRFInstantFix v1 (SIF v1) launched in early 2006 and used very effectively on the TomTom GO systems, as seen in this comparison, and the Mio and Eten GPS PDAPhones, the predicted ephemeris data is no longer downloaded over the internet but generated directly by the GPS system for full autonomous use. This is of course reminiscent of the "Autonomy" technology by Centrality (they were bought by SiRF in June 2007, see news) and released for the first time on the HP iPaq 310 with good results.

Why use "Ephemeris APGS" ?

The idea behind "Offline AGPS" (vs SUPL AGPS) is straightforward but effective : instead of downloading the ephemeris data from the satellites, something that takes 30 seconds at best, requires a good signal level (>28 dB-Hz) and needs to be done every 4 hours, you download a 50kb ephemeris file valid for 3/7/10 days over the internet. Acquisition time in the morning goes down to 10 seconds from 40 seconds in good environments and remains at 20/30 seconds on average in challenging environments (coated windshield, dense urban environment) versus several minutes, if at all possible, without AGPS.

When you turn on your AGPS enabled GPS receiver, synthetic ephemeris data is used first and then there is a gradual switch to live ephemeris data as it becomes available (30 seconds in a perfect environment). Once live data has been downloaded it is valid for about 4 hours and it gets updated continually, but if you turn off your receiver for 4 hours, then you start from scratch again.

SiRFInstantFixII vs SiRFInstantFixI - Pros and Cons...

On paper it would seem that having the GPS generate ephemeris data in an autonomous way is better than having to download it over the internet as with SIF v1, but the catch, at least with Centrality's "Autonomy", is that you need to use your GPS regularly as the predicted ephemeris data is only valid for 3 days. Once the data has expired you'll need 24 hours for new data to be generated and in the meantime the fix will have to be done the "old-fashioned way" by downloading the live ephemeris data from the satellites with the usual constraints (30 seconds minimum, need good signal >28db-Hz, no blockage, etc...). On the other hand with SIF v1 you can pick up your GPS after a four day break, download the ephemeris data from the Internet and get a quick fix.

We'll have to see if there are hybrid v1/v2 versions of SIF, but based on the PR it doesn't seem to be the case.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FULL PRESS RELEASE : >> LINK << :

SiRF's InstantFixII GPS Technology Eliminates PND Start-Up Wait

Mobile Navigation Devices Can Have Start-Up Times As Low As 5 Seconds

Without Requiring Any Network Connectivity

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SiRF Technology

Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIRF), a leading provider of GPS-powered location

platforms, today introduced SiRFInstantFixII, an autonomous version of

SiRF's original SiRFInstantFix technology that is designed to significantly

improve the start-up times of portable navigation devices (PNDs) and other

mobile navigation devices without needing any network connectivity for

assistance or updates. Available now for both SiRFstarIII GPS receivers and

SiRFatlas and SiRFtitan multifunction SoC navigation processors,

SiRFInstantFixII achieves GPS start-ups in as little as five seconds so

that mainstream consumers can begin navigating as soon as they're ready to

drive.

"Our groundbreaking SiRFInstantFixII technology makes the frequent

start-up waits for PNDs a thing of the past," said Kanwar Chadha, founder

and vice president of marketing for SiRF Technology. "By not requiring any

network connectivity or downloads, it significantly improves the daily

navigation experience for consumers of mobile navigation devices..."

[croixflats]

I get the jist of what was said there but dont ask me to explain it. To many words

[croixflats]

2009 UPDATE - The table below has been uptaded with the new GPS systems released by Garmin in 2009 and there appears to be no new GPS chipset, they are still using a mix of SiRFstarIII, MTK and ST Micro Cartesio. Let's hope we see the new SiRF platforms (SiRFAtlasIV, SiRFPrima and SiRFstarIV) appear in 2010 as they are showing some significant advances in GPS performance.The latest firmware version is shown for each chipset.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Introduction : Until 2005, Garmin GPS systems, be they handheld (eTrex, G60/G76), mixed (GPSV), car (SP2610, C320) or Marine (GPS276) used a "low sensitivity" Garmin chipset, with little correlation power. This meant long acquisition times (you could help by giving an approximate position), frequent loss of position in difficult environments (dense urban areas, forests with thick tree cover, etc...) and no operation at all (coated windshields). On the other hand the position was very stable as the module could only work with "clean" signal.

2. The Move to High-Sensitivity : SiRFstarIII : This all changed in mid-2005 when Garmin announced they would be using the high sensitivity SiRFstarIII chipset in their upcoming nüvi car system and a bit later in the 60/76 Cx handhelds. The SiRFstarIII chipset was launched by SiRF in early 2005 to take over from the SiRFstarII chipset that was already more powerful than the old Garmin chipset, respective tracking ratings being -159dBm, -148dBm and -143dBm (the lower the better). Acquisition sensitivity remained at about -143dBm as this is the level of signal required to download the live ephemeris data from the satellites needed to calculate a position, but with its massive correlation the power, the SiRFstarIII was able to scan the sky for satellites and TTFF (time to first fix) was much faster, provided that minimum level of signal was available.

This move was applauded by most users as it made acquisition times in the morning much more consistent, never more than a minute in good conditions, a bit more while driving and the GPS systems kept tracking virtually everywhere, including indoors, not that it was really useful...The flip-side was that very weak satellite signals were now being used, resulting in a much less stable position, one of the reasons to stick to low-sensitivity systems for marine GPS systems.

3. High-Sensitivity Galore - MTK, STMicro Teseo, STMicro Cartesio

Starting in the summer of 2007, Garmin diversified their supply of high-sensitivity GPS chipsets, using the MTK v1 (Mediatek) on the eTrex Hcx range, the ST Micro Teseo integrated platform (codename "bravo" ?) on some nüvi 200 models and the ST Micro Cartesio on the nüvi 2x5 in early 2008. In October 2008, some eTrex H receivers appeared with a new "mystery" chipset, "bravo 3", since previous eTrex H models used the MTK v1 (3318) chipset, it could be the MTK v2 (3329) chipset used on the Qstarz Nano Bluetooth GPS Datalogger. New reports from 08/2009, see here indicate that Garmin are now using the MTK v2/3329 chipset in the Garmin 60C(s)x series.

Garmin no longer communicate on the chipset they use (SiRFstarIII was disclosed as being the chipset of the nüvi when it was launched in late 2005) and naturally haven't commented on the switch to other suppliers, but it's likely a mix of diversifying their sources, segmenting their offering (SiRFstarIII remains the "top choice") and getting better pricing (fully integrated ST Micro platforms for instance).

While the GPS performance of all current systems is excellent compared to what was available only 5 years ago, especially with the addition of Auto-AGPS/HotFix (ephemeris data is generated on-board to reduce the TTFF) in 2008, but it's always interesting to know what's "inside" our GPS systems and some variations remain (SiRFstarIII still offers the most "dynamic" position at slow speeds), so here is a list of Garmin systems grouped by the type of GPS chipset being used. In some cases Garmin switch the chipset on a same model, the FW version is a clue to see which one it is.

4. GPS Chipsets and GPS Systems - Sorted (in order of appearance)

SiRFstarIII (type G) : Latest firmware version : FW v3.00s - 12/2007

Sports systems : Edge x05 (AGPS on 605/705), Forerunner 205, 305 and 405 (AGPS ?)

Handheld systems : 60Cx, 60Csx, 76 Cx, 76 Csx

SP 5x0 : discontinued

nüvi 2x0 : some early models

nüvi 3x0 : all models, now discontinued

nüvi 6x0 : all models, now discontinued

nüvi 7x0 : early models, switch to MTK in the summer of 2007

nüvi 5000 : unconfirmed

MTK v1 - MTK3318 (type M/M2): Latest firmware version : FW v2.90m - 06/2009

Handheld : eTrex Hcx series (Vista, Legend, etc...), Colorado

nüvi 2x0 : some nüvi 200/250 models

nüvi 260 : all models (?)

nüvi 7x0 : some (all?) models starting summer of 2008, see details

nüvi 7x5 : all models

nüvi 8x0 : all models

nüvi 8x5 : all models

MTK v2 - MTK3329 ? (type ?): In October 2008, some eTrex H receivers appeared with a new "mystery" chipset, "bravo 3", since previous eTrex H models used the MTK v1 (3318) chipset, it could be the MTK v2 (3329) chipset used on the Qstarz Nano Bluetooth GPS Datalogger.

New reports from 08/2009, see here indicate that Garmin are now using the MTK v2/3329 chipset in the Garmin 60C(s)x series.

ST Micro Teseo (type B ?): Latest firmware version : FW v3.10b - 01/2009

nüvi 2x0 : some nüvi 200/250/260 models, codename "bravo"

nüvi 5000 : all models ? Details here

ST Micro Cartesio : Latest firmware version : FW 4.10b on nuvi 1xxx and 2x5 and FW v3.70b on the Oregon, the nuvi 550 still uses v2.47b

Handheld : Dakota, Oregon 200/300/400/550 with HotFix

nüvi 2x5 : all models

nüvi 1xxx : all models

nüvi 5x0 Crossover : all models

[eyebjim]

Thanks Croix. Not sure of the details but it would seem this info is more referring to normal satellite lock instead of WAAS

The micro ST Cartesio is what is in the Oregon and Dakota series. There wasn't too much info on that specific chipset. I'll have to investigate more. Was gonna pick one up til I read these complaints. Still might but I want to find out more info first. I'll post if I find any more.

[bigbad401]

Just remember, the majority of people that post stuff on the internet post complaints. The people that are really happy about their item never post. Given that, I am extremely happy with my Garmin Oregon 200 GPS. I read the reviews about it, especially the ones about the screen being completely unreadable outside in sunlight, but it was not true. Granted the screen brightness is not what it should be but it is readable. Some people just aren't happy no matter what and will complain.

[Wimbie]

Will a Nuvi 550 allow me to track my atv trails and save them and seperate trail systems in each place I ride? I already have alot of trails and points saved on my H20, If I save them to a SD card can I get them loaded onto the Garmin?

You can save your tracks as far as I know, but get the 500 not the 550. The 500 has the topo maps loaded on it, and does everything else the 550 does as soon as you update it when you get it home.

[DarthBaiter]

What's the better chip, Lakemaster or Navionics?? What's the prices on these? I don't have a gps yet and not sure what to go with. My buddies prefer the navionics chip. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[Dozer]

What's the better chip, Lakemaster or Navionics?? What's the prices on these? I don't have a gps yet and not sure what to go with. My buddies prefer the navionics chip. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

I have both the lakemaster and navionics for my H20c and like the lakemaster better for the lakes it has, but the navionics has more lakes.

[eyebjim]

Well I picked up the oregon 450. So far I like it. The positioning issues I was questioning are not bad. I get WAAS with about 8 ft accuracy a good portion of the time. When Waas is not on it gets about 10 ft at best. My H20 with WAAS never got better than 15ft.

I have yet to get the lakemaster cd so I can't say how that will work yet.

So far I like it. The complaints about sunlight readability are overstated. It is not real bad but not real good. About the same as the H20 to maybe a little better.

I do like the fishing/hunting best times that shows the better time of day and how good the day should be based on Moon phases and rise and set times.

It has sun and moon table for rise and set.

The barometer altimeter is nice.

It will do turn by turn with road nav software.

Overall a good unit so far.

[croixflats]

Thats great eyebjim. When you get the lakemaster cd the turn by turn will work of the street maps lakemaster has. Though lakemaster streets in some cases not up to date.

[eyebjim]

I downloaded the Garmin city nav maps for turn by turn and it does a great job on turn by turn directions as well. I ordered the lakemaster cd so we'll se how that works. I'm sure it will work well.

[jimmyjames76]

You can save your tracks as far as I know, but get the 500 not the 550. The 500 has the topo maps loaded on it, and does everything else the 550 does as soon as you update it when you get it home.

This is not quite right. They're the same except the 500 comes with topo maps, and the 550 comes with road maps for Canada. Just as an FYI, there are websites where you can download topo maps (and many other cool maps) created by GPS enthusiasts, and most of them are free.

[Wimbie]

Originally Posted By: Wimbie

You can save your tracks as far as I know, but get the 500 not the 550. The 500 has the topo maps loaded on it, and does everything else the 550 does as soon as you update it when you get it home.

This is not quite right. They're the same except the 500 comes with topo maps, and the 550 comes with road maps for Canada. Just as an FYI, there are websites where you can download topo maps (and many other cool maps) created by GPS enthusiasts, and most of them are free.

I stand corrected. I forgot about the Canaduh thing, but thats not hard to do.