Question for GPS users

[CHARLIE]

My father-in-law would like to purchase a GPS unit that will measure the distance from one point to another in yards. The one he has and the ones he sees advertised measure distance in miles.  As an example, he would like to be able to determine how many yards location 'A' is from location 'B' and it will most usually be less than a mile.

So, I'm asking those of you that use GPS units a lot. Is there something like this available and if so what is the brand and model.

Thanks in advance.   

[brdmkr]

I have a Garmin something????  It gives the distance in miles, but as you get closer it converts to yards and then feet.  I am pretty sure I saw where I could convert it metric as well.

[CHARLIE]

Brdmkr, do you know the model?

[brdmkr]

I'll try to post for sure tomorrow, but  I THINK it is a trekker?

[isawlogs]

 Charlie ,
I have a Magellan explorist 200 and it has the feet , yard , mile ... and metric ,distance thingy  .

[CHARLIE]

Are there GPS units that only measure in miles?  I'm starting to wonder if he just doesn't know how to read the feet and yards.  Or maybe the cheaper ones only read in miles.

[TexasTimbers]

I was exploring these things last year and did something that has happened alot lately. I got so much information on so many different models I ended up with Buyers Paralisys and never even bought one.
One thing about this internet, it gives me information overload. It took me two years to buy a moisture meter because everytime i would research them I would get BP and say just forget it I can't make up my mind.
I'm glad the Good Lord saw fit to choose my wife for me. I might still be a bachelor.

Someone needs to start a non profit for those with BP Syndrome.  We tell them what product we want, they ship us one and send us the bill. Simple.

[Furby]

Thought that's what box stores did Kev ???

[Gary_C]

Charlie

All GPS receivers have essentially the same software. The only difference price makes is the amount of memory, electronic compass, color screens, etc. For all of them you have to be able to change units, coordinate systems, and things like units of distance.

That does not say that the means to change units of distance will be easy to find. They all have very confusing menus that must be traversed to make changes. When in doubt, read the instructions. If that does not work, just start searching thru menus and don't worry, it's hard to wreck it just by pushing buttons.  ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Like Gary says, that functionality is in their somewhere. Some of these consumer units have several menu levels and combinations of buttons to get there. Just about drive ya nuts until you practice at it to get to the menu you want.  ;)

[johnjbc]

The LCD on my old GPS went south so I ordered a new DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20. And a quick at the manual shows  that you can set it to:
Statutes Miles
Kilometers
Nautical Miles/Feet
Nautical Miles/Meters

Looks like a pretty good set of features so far. Can't test it till the taxes are done.
Will be using it to layout skid trails for a test.

[brdmkr]

The Garmin that I have is an eTrex Legend (I thought it was a trekker, but it is not).  It records miles until you get with about a half of mile then if goes to yards and then feet.

I really use it a good bit.  It is really handy when traveling.  When you miss a turn, it is easy to use it to get back on the right path.

[crtreedude]

Charlie, just a quick point - you do know that the acuracy won't be more than 3 yards usually?

[Tom]

Well, shucks!  That isn't very accurate.  My yard is about 105 feet wide. :D

[ronwood]

Tom,

Think it is time that you get your sawmill back. 1 yard = 105 ft.    smiley_bouncing_pinky smiley_bouncing_pinky

Ron

[Radar67]

Charlie, I have the Garmin Etrex Vista and am very pleased with it. It allows you to change the measurement units. Once the distance gets over 999 feet, it reads out in miles. I use Map Source with it on the computer to save my information to a topo map. My best accuracy with it has been 10 feet. It usually gets to within 19 feet regularly.

Stew

[Gary_C]

Charlie, just a quick point - you do know that the acuracy won't be more than 3 yards usually?

As compared to what?

You remember the old saying: Confucis says "a man with one watch always knows what time it is, but a man with two is never quite sure."

How can you tell which one of Tom's yards you are actually in?   ;D

[slowzuki]

Magellan Merridian you can set what units you want it to display in.  I have elevation set to feet and trip distance in metres.  Total distance odometer is set to km's but it maxed out.  It has travelled about 50,000 km's in the last 5 years I've owned it, mostly from two trips across the country.