Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:05:44 -0800
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: GPS for farsighted eyes?
In-Reply-To: <HHEAJIOMDPBGGCKHACGJKEMBCPAA.al_knoll@pacbell.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Al, yeah, I've used a laptop on a stand running DeLorme Topo or Street
Atlas for a couple years -- the screen gets totally washed out in sunlight
and the display needs reading glasses for me to read. That's why I was
inquiring about the little dedicated GPS units.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
On 1/17/2008 11:30 AM Pensioner wrote:
> I use an anachronistic Garmin GPSV. Seems like most GPS applications don't
> require constant attention so an inexpensive PC with a serial port and
> 600x800 resolution would provide just the magnification you seek. A 12v
> power supply and W98 is all you need for Garmin software. A 166Mhz 64MB 5GB
> HDD is plenty for the dedicated application. Add sound (Garmin has this
> feature in it's software) and the anachronistic electro-nag will tell you
> where to go. And even announce the turns as you go. So will MS Streets and
> trips in later versions. Most of the MS products that are new no longer
> support the W98SE platform because then you wouldn't need to upgrade your
> platform to the latest and greatest (??) Windows Vista at great expense.
>
> The garmin topo stuff and roads and recreation will get you along most of
> the Forest Roads and scenic byways. The city select will do the rest and
> generally you don't need all of the applications/maps at once, unless you
> drive really fast.
>
> And for the GPSV it has the compass mode in which the device functions as a
> tracking compass without a map. Very handy for GeoCacheing, almost dead
> reckoning, and other frivolities of that ilk.
>
> HP long ago designed and made a dandy little critter called the HP 800CT
> Laptop. Way ahead of it's time. Occasionally available on the used market.
>
> We should remember that the GPS system includes the device AND maps as
> separate entities for best results and updatability. The PC acts as an
> 'intelligent' interface to the GPS and Mapset offering better control and
> visibility.
>
> However like Loren mentions, for the old fox among us, presbyopic assistance
> measures will eventually become necessary.
>
> Look into OPTX brand lenses. They act as an attachment to your existing
> sunglasses.
>
> Al (tying on those size 24 flies to 6x leaders in twilight requires 3.5
> magnification, normal 'opteration' only needs 2x)
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