 Garmin GPS V Unit:
(Screenshots are not representative of the actual size shown on the GPS unit as the image size will vary depending on the set resolution of your monitor)  
A sample map screen of Santa Cruz, CA on a 1.2 mile scale in horizontal display mode.
A sample map screen of Santa Cruz, CA on a 1.2 mile scale in vertical display mode.
Sample data screen. All the fields are customizable, change them to whatever you want them to be.
Map screen with 4 data fields visible (Heading in cardinal letters, Time of Day, Elevation, and Vertical Speed).
Times like this make you appreciate the large screen and high resolution that Garmin included with the V.
Is that a map book in your pocket? Yup. :~) With Garmin's MapSource City Select you have maps available to
you with auto-routing included. This is a view of downtown Santa Cruz near the Clocktower.
The maps even include data on where beaches are and their basic size. The dark mass is water while the lighter
gray next to it is the beach. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is visible jutting out into the Monterey Bay.
MapSource City Select comes with data about restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, "Kodak Moment" places, and other
such nifty stuff. The top info bar will display further info about where the mouse is pointed over and it's Loc in
Lat./Long. for your navigating ease. It also shows the distance and direction of the currently pointed at location
from where you are. This screen can also include data fields, but they are turned off right now. Even railways are
visible as you can see the old Southern Pacific lines (yes they just happen to go right down the middle of Beach Street, Santa Cruz is a unique place to say the least).
Zoomed way out. The base map is rather extensive to say the least.
Not sure what something is? Highlight over it and the V will tell you what you were missing. The text size for
everything can be changed, I just have the size for waypoints set to small right now.
Averaging a location, the Garmin way. None of this silly move-slower-than-2-MPH-and-it'll-turn-on stuff that
Magellan likes to do. Simply chose the option from the menu on the data screen and watch as the V averages your
location. You get to watch as the location changes (if it does at all since it is always very accurate and steady). It
also averages the accuracy and elevation. Just press "Save" when you want it to stop averaging and it turns the data into a waypoint for you which you then name.
To enter data into the V, you use the standard keyboard matrix and select different letters using the rocker pad button.
When searching for a waypoint you can see the extra info on it by selecting that waypoint. Everything in that
sub-screen is customizable. You can change the waypoint's icon, name (the name of this one is "G-NX ZWO"), location, and elevation.
When you select a waypoint to head off too and it's time to leave the car behind, just switch over to "off road" mode and this compass screen will come up and help you navigate when on foot.
After deciding not to go to that particular waypoint, I decided to chart a course to Santa Barbara, CA. The icon in
the bottom left corner of the screen is an animated little path that signifies that the GPS V is currently busy
calculating a route to the next location (either by the "fastest" or "shortest" route available).
After the route is all figured out, the V highlights your path. Should you stray from the path at any time, the V will
recalculate your route and help you get back on track! This screen shot shows the me (the triangle on the map)
heading SE on CA-9 towards CA-1. The arrow simply shows you the direction of the road in front of you (it can
be surprisingly useful when traveling in strange areas). The "Distance to Final" data field is via streets and
highways, not as the crow flies, since this route is not in "off road" mode. The "ETA at Final" shows what the
approximate time will be once I reach Santa Barbara from Santa Cruz, keep in mind that this is an optimistic
estimate based upon travelling at the highest speed for the roads that you will be on (yes, it knows the difference
between a highway, secondary highway, a main artery street, and a residential street). It does not take into
account traffic, bathroom breaks, snacky breaks, and the time you may spend being pulled over by state troopers.
There is a way for it to warn you when you are low on gas though if you really need it to tell you that (it will help
you by finding a gas station somewhere in the middle of your journey when you are say 1 gallon or so from empty).
I personally haven't fiddled with this particular option yet, but I can see it as being very helpful for those times when you are driving through strange territory and need gas desperately. 
When you're coming up to a turn the GPS V beeps at you and then shows this screen. The map has been rotated
to show you a view of what is ahead of you. The next turn and the distance to that turn are also displayed. It really
does help you visualize what is ahead of you so that you don't miss turns. Don't forget that you can always zoom
in/out if you need to, but the zoom factor is automatically adjusted to be optimal while you are travelling.
You can also view a route plan for the journey ahead. Each turn is detailed. Also noted is the milage into the trip
and the estimated time into the trip at which the turn will happen. This is handy if you want to go over the roads ahead while stopped somewhere getting gas and such.
An archive of all my Garmin GPS V can be found here in .RAR format -----> GPS V screen captures.rar
Currently, the Garmin GPS V is unparalleled when it comes to GPS recievers. It is uniquely suited to do anything
you need it too and looks damn cool while doing it. Geocaching and Geodashing. Travelling. It can and will do this and more. This is the cutting edge.
More screen shots to come in due time. Images © Copyright 2001 by Iron Chef of the Age Five Network, Garmin and other associated parties.
Iron Chef Geocaching ~ Boldly Go. |
