[OSM-talk] South Downs Way

[matthew-osm at newtoncomputing.co.uk]

On Sun, Jul 09, 2006 at 10:50:33PM +0200, Lars Aronsson wrote:
> > I have the problem that the GPS12 only stores 1024 track points, 
> > and I've realised that "auto" just isn't good enough for the 
> 
> Some early (2002-2003) reviews of Garmin's "auto" function were 
> very pessimistic.  On my newer Garmin Foretrex 201 unit, I've 
> never had the problems mentioned there.  So I guess Garmin has 
> improved their software over time.  You might want to check with 
> www.garmin.com if you can update your unit's firmware.

The auto isn't that bad, especially for main routes, but getting the detail in,
say a residential area, it just doesn't take enough points.

Unfortunately the GPS12 has existed since at least 1998, and the latest update
to the firmware is 2003 ish, so I doubt there will be any more updates. I'm
surprised given the age of it that they still retail for around 120 UKP.

> One thing you should never do is to "save" the track on the unit.
> This removes all timestamps and also seems to reduce the number of 
> samples.  Always use the "current track" and never touch "save" if 
> that word appears in the unit's menues.

The only "save" type option on the GPS12 is the trackback "feature", which
reduces the track to a single route of up to 30 waypoints. That's useless for
this sort of thing, of course, so I just stick to the track ;-).

Phew, that's another 7 miles of Loughborough's housing areas done on the way
home from church. Lovely evening to be riding slowly around town, but the
motorbike is a bit difficult in the small 'T's you get at the end of roads, so I
think I'll go back to the bicycle!

Thanks!

-- 
Matthew