Gps

Mikey · 06-13-2004

I did a search for GPS and got nothing. SO, I know there were a couple of people talking on the subject. I just purchased the Magellan Sportrak Color and also got the world map. Was wondering If anyone else had a GPS unit that they use In the Playa area and what type of info they get on their unit in the area.

Howard · 06-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstar

I did a search for GPS and got nothing. SO, I know there were a couple of people talking on the subject. I just purchased the Magellan Sportrak Color and also got the world map. Was wondering If anyone else had a GPS unit that they use In the Playa area and what type of info they get on their unit in the area.

You're right, a search on "gps" doesn't return anything. I get the following message:

"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search : GPS"

James, does the search required a minimum number of characters?

Anyway Tstar, I have coordinates for several locations (Mamitas, Ponderosa Cenote, Akumal arch, etc.) that I would be happy to share. It's nothing you can't find with a paper map, but easier to let the gps point you there. I haven't purchased a data cable yet, so I would have to get around to entering them in an email or post. Unfortunately, I have several waypoints that I didn't get written down, so it would be a mystery as to where they would take you

Mikey · 06-13-2004

So Howard,

Since I am new to the GPS scene the coordinates that you have for Mamitas, Akumal Arch, etc. I would take those coordinates then just enter them into my GPS device then it would take me there by following the directions on the GPS.

Michael · 06-13-2004

However, a search for geocache does yield some results.

Mikey · 06-13-2004

How would one know to search for Geocache. Is that french.

PA-julie3 · 06-13-2004

I only use my GPS for geocaching (geocaching.com). However, I downloaded all the caches from Cancun to Tulum, into my GPS before I went last week. Usually you will know what towns the caches are near from reading the first page of info of each one-then I knew how far and what direction to go.

Mikey · 06-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA-julie3

I only use my GPS for geocaching (geocaching.com). However, I downloaded all the caches from Cancun to Tulum, into my GPS before I went last week. Usually you will know what towns the caches are near from reading the first page of info of each one-then I knew how far and what direction to go.

Thanks so much for the Info. Was the info pretty detailed for the area.

Howard · 06-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstar

So Howard,

Since I am new to the GPS scene the coordinates that you have for Mamitas, Akumal Arch, etc. I would take those coordinates then just enter them into my GPS device then it would take me there by following the directions on the GPS.

Yes. It's just a tedious process to enter the coordinates into your unit without upload/download capabilities. I'm about to order a data cable. Let me know if you want any of the coordinates in the meantime. Did you get a data cable with yours?

By the way, Michael Holmes seems to be the resident gps stud. He navigated cross-country to PDC using it. Michael, what software did you use?

**Bumper** · 06-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard

James, does the search required a minimum number of characters?

I could be mistaken, but it seems to me James indicated in another thread a while back that the search feature was set up to handle subjects of more than three letters as the minimum, but that he would be looking at changing that. It would appear that you've found what you needed anyway, so I'll just go away now. Sigh!

Mikey · 06-13-2004

Thanks Bumper I did not know that. Howard yes It comes with a serial port cable so downloads will be slower but thats OK. I would just like to get a detailed map as possible to see how much it would show on the GPS. This Is all new to me so all help as always Is greatly appreciated.

**james** · 06-13-2004

four letter words an up are stored in the search index. we have a list of three letter words that are exceptions to the rule. I don't think we included gps. I'll check now, and add it if necessary. It won't work until the search index is re-indexed.

edit: added. reindexing.

Mikey · 06-13-2004

Thanks James. Love the Pic. I think Its the first time I have ever seen your face without anything on it. Hale Caeser.

dougie46 · 06-14-2004

tstar,
What would you like to know about your GPS unit? I am sure Michael, myself, or a few others here can help you out. I have had units for years, and can probably help you out with whatever you need to know.
Michael has a geocache(kind of a little treasure chest) in the PDC area, that is a bit of a challenge to find, but certainly worth the visit...And there are others in the area as well...
GPS units work in Mexico just like anywhere else in the world, and can be a lifesaver if you are going somewhere off the beaten path where you need to know how to get back to where you started, or want to find a spot from point A- point B.. There are no maps that I no of for Mexico for the GPS, but some great ones for the States and Canada...
Your Magellan is a good unit, and will probably do you for everything you will need it for...and the only "bad" thing I would think it has, if my memory serves me right, is that WAAS can't be disabled on it..But that is not a big deal...just eats up more power, that's all, but gives far better results when searching for a "spot".
Dougie

Michael · 06-14-2004

For our drive from California to Quintana Roo I used Map’n’Go 6.0. This includes maps of Mexico and Canada as well at the US. The maps are not completely current but are adequate. We discovered one bridge that had been moved. And if you are navigating by GPS you are stuck when you get to a river and find they have moved the bridge. There is little detail on the maps of the Q Roo coast. But what is there to map? One highway and a couple of towns, that’s all. I was impressed by the fact that my wife’s village in included on the Yucatan Map. So there is some detail on the Mexico Maps. Some of the towns further North had very good street level maps.

And regarding the question about French words. Searching for GeoCache was a quick workaround to help our readers prior to James’ index update to add gps. Yes the uninitiated would not know to do this. So that’s why I posted it.

You can read about our cross country trip in the (Condensed) trip report. It became expanded after I titled it. I have just reached the GPS / GeoCache section. Or should I say we drove right by it. Post your guesses as to the location.

My GPS has been very handy for hikes around my wife’s village. The village in a rural area and asking directions is hit an miss, even if you have a working knowledge of Spanish and Mayan.

I am planning a cross country mountain bike adventure east of Merida in December. The GPS will be as essential as the bike (and the water and the bug spray). My Lowrance GPS did come with built in world maps. The detail for Mexico is minimal. For the mountain bike adventure, I will just need to see my starting point. I can add some nearby towns if necessary.

Mikey · 06-14-2004

Hey Michael,

Sorry I did not know what Geocache was. This Is a brand new thing for me. I have purchased the Magellan Sportrak Colour GPS Unit. I also got the World Map CD so I can see whats available as far as maps for the Playa Tulum Area. Someone else suggested that I go to Geocache.com because they got some info on Cancun to Tulum. I did not find it. Found the Mexico section but not what I was looking for.
I have not received the unit yet it is on its way and will be here Wed.
I guess here Is my Question. If we take off In our jeep from Playa, and we have coordinates from others who have already been to places from Playa and Tulum the gps Unit will get us there. An example Is someone has been to the Arch at Akumal and had coordinates for it. I enter it and just follow the map on the GPS.
Was also wondering If there may be a section someday on the Forum that we could go to to retrieve coordinates from others that have already been there. Cenotes, Gringo Daves, The lighthouse In PA, Coba, etc. That way we could take a list of the things we wanted to see, enter the Coordinates provided by others that have been there and take off.

06-13-2004	#1 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	Gps I did a search for GPS and got nothing. SO, I know there were a couple of people talking on the subject. I just purchased the Magellan Sportrak Color and also got the world map. Was wondering If anyone else had a GPS unit that they use In the Playa area and what type of info they get on their unit in the area.

06-13-2004	#11 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,612	four letter words an up are stored in the search index. we have a list of three letter words that are exceptions to the rule. I don't think we included gps. I'll check now, and add it if necessary. It won't work until the search index is re-indexed. edit: added. reindexing. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

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06-13-2004	#3 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	So Howard, Since I am new to the GPS scene the coordinates that you have for Mamitas, Akumal Arch, etc. I would take those coordinates then just enter them into my GPS device then it would take me there by following the directions on the GPS.

06-13-2004	#4 (permalink)
Michael añejo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley, California Posts: 4,162	However, a search for geocache does yield some results.

06-13-2004	#5 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	How would one know to search for Geocache. Is that french.

06-13-2004	#6 (permalink)
PA-julie3 sandflea Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6	I only use my GPS for geocaching (geocaching.com). However, I downloaded all the caches from Cancun to Tulum, into my GPS before I went last week. Usually you will know what towns the caches are near from reading the first page of info of each one-then I knew how far and what direction to go.

06-13-2004	#10 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	Thanks Bumper I did not know that. Howard yes It comes with a serial port cable so downloads will be slower but thats OK. I would just like to get a detailed map as possible to see how much it would show on the GPS. This Is all new to me so all help as always Is greatly appreciated.

06-13-2004	#12 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	Thanks James. Love the Pic. I think Its the first time I have ever seen your face without anything on it. Hale Caeser.

06-14-2004	#13 (permalink)
dougie46 life=playa Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 679	tstar, What would you like to know about your GPS unit? I am sure Michael, myself, or a few others here can help you out. I have had units for years, and can probably help you out with whatever you need to know. Michael has a geocache(kind of a little treasure chest) in the PDC area, that is a bit of a challenge to find, but certainly worth the visit...And there are others in the area as well... GPS units work in Mexico just like anywhere else in the world, and can be a lifesaver if you are going somewhere off the beaten path where you need to know how to get back to where you started, or want to find a spot from point A- point B.. There are no maps that I no of for Mexico for the GPS, but some great ones for the States and Canada... Your Magellan is a good unit, and will probably do you for everything you will need it for...and the only "bad" thing I would think it has, if my memory serves me right, is that WAAS can't be disabled on it..But that is not a big deal...just eats up more power, that's all, but gives far better results when searching for a "spot". Dougie

06-14-2004	#14 (permalink)
Michael añejo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley, California Posts: 4,162	For our drive from California to Quintana Roo I used Map’n’Go 6.0. This includes maps of Mexico and Canada as well at the US. The maps are not completely current but are adequate. We discovered one bridge that had been moved. And if you are navigating by GPS you are stuck when you get to a river and find they have moved the bridge. There is little detail on the maps of the Q Roo coast. But what is there to map? One highway and a couple of towns, that’s all. I was impressed by the fact that my wife’s village in included on the Yucatan Map. So there is some detail on the Mexico Maps. Some of the towns further North had very good street level maps. And regarding the question about French words. Searching for GeoCache was a quick workaround to help our readers prior to James’ index update to add gps. Yes the uninitiated would not know to do this. So that’s why I posted it. You can read about our cross country trip in the (Condensed) trip report. It became expanded after I titled it. I have just reached the GPS / GeoCache section. Or should I say we drove right by it. Post your guesses as to the location. My GPS has been very handy for hikes around my wife’s village. The village in a rural area and asking directions is hit an miss, even if you have a working knowledge of Spanish and Mayan. I am planning a cross country mountain bike adventure east of Merida in December. The GPS will be as essential as the bike (and the water and the bug spray). My Lowrance GPS did come with built in world maps. The detail for Mexico is minimal. For the mountain bike adventure, I will just need to see my starting point. I can add some nearby towns if necessary.

06-14-2004	#15 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	Hey Michael, Sorry I did not know what Geocache was. This Is a brand new thing for me. I have purchased the Magellan Sportrak Colour GPS Unit. I also got the World Map CD so I can see whats available as far as maps for the Playa Tulum Area. Someone else suggested that I go to Geocache.com because they got some info on Cancun to Tulum. I did not find it. Found the Mexico section but not what I was looking for. I have not received the unit yet it is on its way and will be here Wed. I guess here Is my Question. If we take off In our jeep from Playa, and we have coordinates from others who have already been to places from Playa and Tulum the gps Unit will get us there. An example Is someone has been to the Arch at Akumal and had coordinates for it. I enter it and just follow the map on the GPS. Was also wondering If there may be a section someday on the Forum that we could go to to retrieve coordinates from others that have already been there. Cenotes, Gringo Daves, The lighthouse In PA, Coba, etc. That way we could take a list of the things we wanted to see, enter the Coordinates provided by others that have been there and take off.

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