Its time for a new GPS!
I’m kinda bummed i didn’t think of this before Xmas, it would have made a perfect gift. And I have to admit I am selling the video game. Sorry Andy and Deb, its not you, its me. Hi my name is Jason, and I’m a gameaholic. With 2 kids and a sluggish economy, i can’t have it in my home. It was very very thoughtful. Its not you, its me. Hi my name is Jason, and I’m a gameaholic.
Last October I uploaded the trackfor the Tour of the White Mountains after hearing horror stories of people getting lost the year before. But my OLD (’02?) Garmin Etrex was basically useless: hard to read, hard to hold on to the signal, old battery life, serial cable, slow screen updates…and I am sick of getting lost at enduro events and underground races. I’m taking them seriously enough, if just wanting to finish and take pride in my day is serious, that i kinda want to be properly equipped. I lost easily an hour at the Crazy 88, when there was no need for it, none whatsoever. And the early mistakes always hit harder as the day goes on – its hard to say that they are worth more, per se, but they put you in positions less advantageous than if you had not made them, so they become worth more. Would the Eagles be in the Superbowl if they hit the figgie to make it 7-6…I digress. Did I mention that this is something really bourgeois that I actually really want? I really really want something that when I am out in the middle of nowhere on an 8 hour ride with only myself to rely on will say to me “Hey asshole, turn left here!”
I think I have been shying away from some of Chad’s Arizona Endurances Series races cause I’m nervous about getting lost. Maybe. Its also cause they are all far away and big commitments. And they are all like 10 hrs! But 10 hrs if you know it will be 10 hrs is not as bad as 10 hrs that may become 12.5 hrs if you get lost.
Did I just say 10 hours is not bad? 
The Whiskey Offroad is in late April, and the week before will be the Prescott Monstercross. The PMC is the same effort, waaaaaay more singletrack, and free. Here is how this discussion went with Beckie:
Me: So…the Whiskey Offroad is in April, and so is a Prescott underground race.
Beckie: *stiffening*
Me: I was thinking the AES race would be fun, and free, and no commitment in case things with the kids came up…
Beckie: *relaxing* Yeah that sounds good.
Me: I want a new gps.
Beckie: Yeah that sounds good.
Some research and help from Scott put the Vista HCxmy leading candidate. And if only I have a new 29er by then, won’t that be a neat shakedown ride?
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Garmin products…I have a 705 which is not as graphics heavy as the Oregon, but has roughly the same functionality with a few exceptions which make them different product lines. A lot of folks gripe about Garmin customer support….but if you’re reasonably techy….you can figure it out. Bottom line, I love what the Garmin can do combined with TopoFusion’s abilities.
My wife and I have had a bunch of forerunners, and our old etrex, and Garmin has always been good to me. I sent them my resume as they have a very small presence in Mesa near Longbow, they asked if I would relocate to Kansas City :-). I think the new Vista is just the right features\cost for what I want, but the 705 looks way cool if you want to totally geek out.
Speaking of Garmin.. check this article out from IEEE spectrum. Yeah it is KS city.. the biking sucks in KS (I know, I grew up there)
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/feb08/5927
that’s awesome! they have a small office in Mesa that I believe works on MotionBased. I sent them my reso about a year ago just for kicks and they invited me to move to KS for them, which was neat.