In article <(E-Mail Removed)>,
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> I know of no GPS
> that can access the Internet by itself.

Garmin's NuLink services can. I find that doing a Google search on the
1690 is superior to using the built-in POIs.

On Jan 28, 7:40*pm, Harry Putnam <rea...@newsguy.com> wrote:
> I need advice from experienced users of gps handhelds.
>
> Is there such a thing as being able to communicate directly with
> google earth from any current handheld products?
>
> It appears the `dash express' is capable of something like that but
> what a useless shape for field use... (yes I know it is meant for
> automotive)
>
> It's hard to tell from the reviews what it really can do. *Mainly
> because of not having any familiarity with any of the gps units out
> there.
>
> My only experience has been using the gps features of my blackberry
> and google earth.
>
> I want to sit at home and plot a route on google earth, then be able
> to upload it to a gps handheld unit, either tethered together or
> preferable to be able to do so over the internet. *Ditto in the other
> direction.
>
> That is, when in the field I may add points of interest or whatever
> they are called, (way points?) *But the meat of it being establish known
> points on the route that can then be uploaded back to google earth.
>
> Maybe someone can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree or getting
> into stratospheric price.
>
> It would be nice if someone could show a brief outline of how they use
> google earth with there gps, and of course, comments concerning which
> currently available models are the best integrated or the like.

G/E will allow the connection of a GPS and show your position in real
time.
(And you can use the Google Earth API for all sorts of really neat
stuff - if you're a programmer...)

However, in the field, you're going to need a connection to the Google
Earth servers to get the imagery.
In my experience, that proposition is either expensive, problematic,
or both!

What we did is buy the Garmin Montana 650t.
With a Garmin Birdseye subscription ($39/year?), you can download high-
resolution Google Earth imagery to your Montana and then you no longer
need that expensive, problematic always-on internet connection.

And if you get the CityNavigator data files (~$75), you can get turn-
by-turn voice, and phone #s, addresses, etc.. for just about
everywhere.
It's static data of course, but you can update CN every few years if
those capabilities are important to you.

The downside is the GPS only holds so much data, but we have hundreds
of maps on our 32GB microSD and have never had any real problems.
Our work covers about 12,000 square mile, just to give you an idea.
If you require significantly more than that, Birdseye will load lower-
resolution imagery, and honestly, there's not that much difference
when you're talking a 5-inch screen anyway.

Another drawback is the base model Montana is going to set you back
$500, at least. Might be out of your price range (?)

However, a Montana is very likely the last GPS you will ever buy.
Actually, I should mention - the Montana doesn't geocode anything
other than date, time, lat/lon and maybe altitude to the photos it
takes (which is totally stupid!)
For example, it won't store velocity, or compass headings for example
- or any of the dozens of other datafields it will show you on the
display.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions re: the Garmin Montana.
I don't work for them, and they don't pay me to say nice things about
their products.
But the truth is, unless you own one and use it for a while, it's very
difficult to know what its exact capabilites and limitations are.
Took several weeks to learn it. The documentation isn't very good
(but sufficient for GPS newbies, which I suspect you are not.)

-mpm

Mike <(E-Mail Removed)> writes:

[...]

> What we did is buy the Garmin Montana 650t.
> With a Garmin Birdseye subscription ($39/year?), you can download high-
> resolution Google Earth imagery to your Montana and then you no longer
> need that expensive, problematic always-on internet connection.
>
> And if you get the CityNavigator data files (~$75), you can get turn-
> by-turn voice, and phone #s, addresses, etc.. for just about
> everywhere.
> It's static data of course, but you can update CN every few years if
> those capabilities are important to you.
>
> The downside is the GPS only holds so much data, but we have hundreds
> of maps on our 32GB microSD and have never had any real problems.
> Our work covers about 12,000 square mile, just to give you an idea.
> If you require significantly more than that, Birdseye will load lower-
> resolution imagery, and honestly, there's not that much difference
> when you're talking a 5-inch screen anyway.

Before seeing your post, I already purchased the Oregon which seems to
have similar or maybe the same functionality regarding Birdseye maps.
And about the same price range.

One thing I don't understand yet is how to arrange things so that the
birdseye map is the only map I see. That is, instead of having the
default topo map under it or showing around the edges in the case of a
small birdseye map area..

When I load in a birdseye map, it does not appear in the `maps'
directory one can see when examining the Oregon file system from
windows. For that matter the default map is not in the `maps'
directory either.

I'm reluctant to try moving things around without knowing how its
supposed to work.

I do have basecamp set up but again, a bit reluctant to mess with the
default arrangements.

Also, the Oregon seems to lack any ability to name pictures. Seems
that should be an option in the same way naming tracks etc works.

One last bit of advice would be helpful... regarding how to insert
these pictures into G/E.

I was under the impression one could simply drop a picture on G/E and
G/E would find those co-ordinates automatically.

That does not seem to happen.