What is the best GPS for competitive ballooning

[Benji Clemons]

Recently my Garmin V gps died... So now I have began trying to decide what to replace it with. I have looked at several different ones but am curious what everyone thinks is the best gps unit for the money for a competitive pilot.

[Tim Slattery]

I use a Magellan Meridian for my flights. Advantages - large number display is good for older eyes, uses AA batteries, fits into a transparent cosmetics case for easy attachment to the uprights at eye level, can be configured for UTM as well as LAT/LON among many other coordinate systems. It also easily connects to a laptop for transfer of coordinates for waypoints (works with GPS Utility which is a freeware application for many GPS units) and also allows you to download maps from the Magellan maps application. The unit I have does not have or support turn-by-turn navigation, but I don't usually follow roads in my balloon. With better eyesight, I might consider a different model, but I like the big letters and the form factor seems to work well for me. The Meridian Color is also a good choice as it has the backlight feature which works better in glare conditions.
We also use a Garmin 60CS in the truck for the crew to use. It is great for the turn-by-turn navigation. It also has a good display and could be used in competition in the basket.

[Benji Clemons]

I have never really looked at the Magellans because I am so used to using Garmin. Are there many differences between the 2 brands in terms of ease of use?

[Tim Slattery]

Yes there are many differences. Some of our team find the Magellan easier to input information (waypoints). The main differences are the Magellan I use does not have the turn by turn navigation but I would not be using that in flight. The Garmin stays in the truck and dues use turn by turn navigation. As I said earlier, the Magellan can display larger numbers with a little configuration tweaking. The best way to compare is to have both side by side on the ground or if you are as a passenger in the air.

[CARL YOUNG]

Has anyone gotten any handson with this new unit? http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=28648...

[Sean Kavanagh]

Depends on what sort of competitions. If you need a back up logger then it needs to record the correct data.

I have a 60csx which I love, top of the range, barometric altimeter, flux gate compass etc.

Got to Austria for the Worlds and could not use it as a back up logger because it can not record GPS altitude. Insane situation and had to rent a spare logger from the BFA.

I think it was an eTrex of some type. We had four different GPS's on the team and none of them could comply with the rules set for the back up loggers. - altitude calculation and interval recording. Crazy stuff.

If you are not worried about that stuff then I would look for one with USB to PC connection and tend to go with a Garmin. If not using with a laptop then biggest numbers you can get and easiest interface for punching in goal co-ordinates.

[Benji Clemons]

I will definitly want one that can be used as a back up logger. I intend on returning to the U.S Nationals in 2010 and hope to be competing against you Sean in 2012 at Worlds. I have never used a laptop in flight but have been looking into the possibility/practicality of it. I am just not sure how beneficial it would be for me.
You like the 60csx as a gps aside from the back up logger issue. I have looked at some of the other less expensive 60 series like the CS that Tim mentioned. I may just have to bite the bullet and go more expensive than I planned....

[Sean Kavanagh]

You probably don't. To be honest, I never use the compass function in the balloon but have used it for fun on a boat. The barometric altimeter is nice if you are into reviewing flight tracks on a PC post flight but again, not necessary.

Personally, I would go for the lowest spec 60 series Garmin. If it can comply as a back up GPS, even better. With the spare cash I would then get a Geko 201 as a back up logger.

Just confirm that the BFA are using GPS altitude for their logs. If not you will need to go to the more expensive models with barometric altimeter. By 2012, who knows what we will be doing :)

[Cory Bloom]

I have a Geko 201 for backup. Its is something I turn on before the flight and don't touch it. Since it is a backup I just let it do its thing. You can find one of those for under $100. Save your money and buy a refurbished Garmin. As long as they are recently refurbished, they are good as new and usually get a new warranty. With the money saved, buy two. It is always nice to keep one GPS set on where you are flying to and be able to use another one for upcoming HZW or FOT decisions. If you're looking at 60's or 72's don't get one with an S in the name, as they will have barometric altitude. I recommend the CX's.

[Benji Clemons]

When your back over break I will def be talking to ya more about this stuff. We have alot of stuff to cover from your map questions to my questions on gps and laptops...

[Andrew Robertson]

One thing to note with the latest Garmin 60CSx is that when you plug it into your laptop, it automatically runs off the laptop power. I just got word from Garmin support there is no way to deactivate this. So if you are considering the 60CS, make sure you have enough laptop battery power to power both the laptop and the GPS.

[Ron Frusher]

My choice is a Garmin 276, It has color and you are able to download the street maps on to it. Nice size screen also with nicad battery. All in all I think it's the best.
Ron Frusher