Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#116468 - 05/24/09 11:27 PM Mapping GPS & their altimeters
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
I have a Garmin Colorado GPS and it says that it has a "barometric altimeter". Barometric altimeters are OK if you can reset them every day at the exact altitude you're at but that's a hassle.

Why the heck can't we have altimeter readings from the GPS sattelite constellation??? Today while backpacking in the Spring Mountains north of 'Vegas my Colorado altimeter said 9,860 ft. and my buddy's altimeter said 9,780 ft. and we both wondered why Garmin uses a barometer for an altimeter.

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

Top
#116470 - 05/25/09 01:03 AM Re: Mapping GPS & their altimeters [Re: 300winmag]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
The Colorado can determine elevation by satellite or barometer. If you don't know your exact elevation you can set the barometer altimeter by your satellite elevation. See this for more info.

Yep, it's a hassle to constantly recalibrate barometric altimeters from known elevations but they're a good gadget to have in many situations.
_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

Top
#116482 - 05/25/09 12:36 PM Re: Mapping GPS & their altimeters [Re: Trailrunner]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
Thanks Trailrunner. That link is interesting.
Do you know if there are any sites that have trail maps that can be downloaded onto my Colorado?

I have the 300 model(so I could have the map CD to print out topo maps of areas I want). I think it's a bit more versatile than the pre-loaded Colorado 400t.
With a 4 Gb Ultra SD card that I bought you can load a LOT of maps and then load more on another card, if necessary. I have all the western U. S. to the Mississippi on that one card.

I've noticed a friend's Oregon doesn't seem to have the ability to get satellites in canyons as well as my Colorado. Seems my older tech "Quad Helix" antenna is better than his ceramic antenna.

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

Top
#116489 - 05/25/09 01:43 PM Re: Mapping GPS & their altimeters [Re: 300winmag]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
I get my maps here but it sounds like you already have those and more.

I use a Vista HcX and I'm very happy with it. It acquires and locks very well even indoors and under clouds/trees. Battery life is excellent. Initially it did not record movement at < 2MPH but a software upgrade fixed that. Now it's the cat's meow and a quantum leap from my old Magellan 315.
_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum