gps info

[montoya 0]

Looking for more info on using GPS in Japan.

 

Anyone know if you can use US-Garmin units here? Also, do they work out of the box, or do you have to subscribe to some sort of service?

[mattlucas 0]

It should work out of the box.

You will just have to imput a few things like Datum (???), time, altitude (maybe)

 

But they are free to use.

[peaker 0]

No worries at all. If you want to use an advanced unit with map data youll need to look into whether you can download japanese maps onto your machine but the best bet is to go with a basic unit that displays your coordinates coupled with a standard (paper) topographic map. You can program your waypoints in off the map manually before you set out.

[IM 0]

Japan map (Map source) only goes into Japan version of Garmin. Basic ones (etrex, fortrex...)

work out of the box, you need to set units, datum to Tokyo, time, etc.. About datum, some newly revised Japan Topo has both Tokyo and WGS datum notchs, but older version still has only Tokyo notchs. Use those notches to draw lines of 1 min. apart. Then I use "map pointer" overlay to pinpoint the location. Oh, DO bring a spare batteries, they are only a box without them.

About Topo map. You can buy paper version at large book store, or buy set of CDs and you can cut and paste the area of your interests.

 

 

I suggest to double check your datum by actually measuring the known location.

[montoya 0]

thanks for all the info, this had got me pointed in the right direction.

 

using the log data and mapping it onto a topo map afterward (with something like Kashmir) looks intriguing.

[IM 0]

Montoya,

 

If you do not have problem reading J, there are books out (w/CDs) on Kashmir. It is a really neat freeware (and very powerful, too).