What is the Best way to Learn how to use GPS?

[windknot]

I've had a Garmin Rhino 120 for a couple of years - everyone at our deer camp uses the radios to keep in touch. I bought the Rhino with the Radio and the GPS together thinking I would mark where everyone's blinds were, trails etc. Yeeeeaahhhhhhh RIGHT.

I've used the radio steadily, even brought the owner's manual out to the blind.....great way to fall asleep....read the owner's manual!

Many/most of the terms/instructions seem to be geared towards someone who has a clue how to use GPS......I would NOT be one of those people.

Is there a DVD, BOOK, VIDEO.....ANY Source out there that can teach one how to use a GPS for all of the things I mentioned (and more....I understand at least that there are a LOT of stuff you can do with a hand-held GPS) and TEACH you in simpleton terms so that dopes like myself can understand and get the best out of my unit? I don't have a lot of time to take up geocacheting or anything like that for practice, I'd just like something simple....ya know?

[flipp1958]

http://econtent.typepad.com/econtent/2008/07/learning-gps-global-positioning-systems.html

[hitechman]

Garmin Rhino Insrtructional DVD: http://www.rei.com/product/749123

Steve

[7iron]

The absolute best way to learn how to use your new GPS it is (and I'm not being a smart ***** here) is to use it. Turn it on and go practice with it. Go to the store punch it the WP and go. Come out of the store and let it guide you home. The more you use it the confidence you will have with it.

BTW once you feel confortable with it, trust it. There will come a time went you will need it, don't let your "gut" lead the way TRUST your instruments. When your out in the woods or on the water in a dense fog its easy to think "something" isn't right. Or I'm sure I'm going the wrong way. Yes a compass or GPS can fail but what are the odds that they will fail at that exact monent?

Good luck and enjoy the GPS.

[hitechman]

The absolute best way to learn how to use your new GPS it is (and I'm not being a smart ***** here) is to use it. Turn it on ...........

Got my dad a GPSr for Christmas 3 years ago and told him to turn it on and play with it. He called me in mid-February and said he had been playing with it off and on since Christmas for 4 or so hours.................then he asked me, "How do you turn the damn thing on?" :lol::lol:LMAO:lol::lol: He said he pushed every button on it and it wouldn't come on (yup, he had batteries in it). Turns out that the power button (Garmin GPSMap 60Cx) is on top near the antenna and not very obvious, and has to be held pushed on a second or two for the unit to power up.

I agree with you, but getting a DVD or reading the maunal as "you play with it helps immensely. I sat down with my manual, learned how to put it in demo mode (satellite reception disabled), and went through the manual (a Saturday afternoon) trying every process until I got it right. Worked for me. Still do not use all of the processes one of these dang things can do.

Steve

[Flyhack]

GPSs are fairly intuitive. I know some folks get so caught up in the complexity that they just don't think about what they want it to do for them. Use it every day. Use it even when you don't need to. Master one feature at a time and then occasionally go back and review the manual. You will have many eureka moments and soon you will be very happy with your device. Heck I just fired up my Garmin GPSMAP 76s and fiddled with it looking at the settings and menus again and I have had it for five or six years. Great tools and toys once you get the hang of it.