Garmin Etrex GPS ??

i have the base model etrex, as much as i was tempted to go up a few models to the ones with maps i had to keep reminding myself how much will it get used. i now turn it on everytime i hop in the defender and at times would like to have maps loaded. on my outback trip last year i needed touse the gps to nabigate, i had the hema maps just had to input the waypoint and off i went

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The eTrex won't take an external aerial. Also acquisition time is a processor dependant funtion as well as signal strength, location on the globe, interference and visiability to the sky, to name a few things.

Certainly more expensive models maybe better but there is always a startup lag whilst the unit locates itself in space (and time?).

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reception with the etrex in the defender is a real problem so i brought one of these http://www.gpsaustralia.net/shop/pro...367e813773388f problem solved. i also brought the 12V power supply.

sometimes the etrex takes a little while to loc onto sats but when your touring or just out for a day drive what a few minutes. with batteries and the 12V power supply you can leave the unit on all day so that you don't have to wait for sats, remember to turn it off at the end of the day cause they can chew through batteries, if you plan to use it at night you will definetly need the 12V power supply to keep power upto the unit

Forgot about using a signal retransion device. Good idea and it has a charger too!

The Etrex won't take a plug in antenna but you can use an antenna with it. I use a reradiating antenna which does wonders for reception. Especially when 4wding in a forest area or in a gully etc.
Signal strength does depend on many things however this is one of them that you can control.

My first GPS was a basic eTrex and still have it and use it frequently when I am travelling around on business in various countries.

When you eventually upgrade (and you will) keep it otherwise you will regret it.

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Originally Posted by weeds

i have the base model etrex, as much as i was tempted to go up a few models to the ones with maps i had to keep reminding myself how much will it get used. i now turn it on everytime i hop in the defender and at times would like to have maps loaded. on my outback trip last year i needed touse the gps to nabigate, i had the hema maps just had to input the waypoint and off i went



reception with the etrex in the defender is a real problem so i brought one of these http://www.gpsaustralia.net/shop/pro...367e813773388f problem solved. i also brought the 12V power supply.

sometimes the etrex takes a little while to loc onto sats but when your touring or just out for a day drive what a few minutes. with batteries and the 12V power supply you can leave the unit on all day so that you don't have to wait for sats, remember to turn it off at the end of the day cause they can chew through batteries, if you plan to use it at night you will definetly need the 12V power supply to keep power upto the unit

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After playing with a Etrex at the 4wd show in Melb I will get one for sure....screen was bigger than I thought it would be and seems very easy to use....Didnt get one at the show because you can get them cheaper on Ebay inc postage etc.

Ok Thanks Weeds.....Ummm can you dumb it down a bit for me please...so I can plug that anntena thingo into the power and the other end sits on the roof or bonnet etc and transmits the data to the gps like a fm modulator type deal....or is it connected to the gps via a cable? In which case it would need to be feed through the firewall somewhere.

Andrew, reradiating antenna is just that. It sits outside the car or somewhere with a clear view of the sky and lets the eTrex sit inside the car. The antenna receives the GPS signals and retransmits them for the eTrex to pick up. So you had the right idea. In the Disco you can use the eTrex OK on the dashboard as the windscreen slops sufficiently. In a Defender this is an issue (as I am learning).

Got an etrex legend, if you want a permanent signal inside a defender you'd better get a re-radiating antenna. First time I took mine out I kept putting it under the dash and lost the signal. They also eat batteries.

Great aside from that.

Cheers
Simon.

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Originally Posted by amshaw

Ok Thanks Weeds.....Ummm can you dumb it down a bit for me please...so I can plug that anntena thingo into the power and the other end sits on the roof or bonnet etc and transmits the data to the gps like a fm modulator type deal....or is it connected to the gps via a cable? In which case it would need to be feed through the firewall somewhere.

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it has two wires with bits hanging off the ends, one has a magnetic base and sits outside the car a receiver i guess you would call it, handy if you have a metal roof rack and the other end a transmittor i guess u would call it has been run around the windon frame and it hangs of the rear view mirror above the gps

i cannot belive it raining, i will take some pics

yep the etrex eats batteries, you will be buying a power supply soon as well

And this would be a picture of said re-radiating antenna.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...006/11/146.jpg

Cheers
Simon

ok a couple of pics sorry forgot to rotate prior to saving, they are not the best and keep in mind that the rig was parked the reception is worse when moving

1st is with the power connected to the re radiating antenna
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...006/11/138.jpg

2nd with the power disconnected
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...006/11/139.jpg