Farnsworth Engineering

So in my build up towards Tour Divide I got I couple of new GPS toys.

My first toy is a really nice Garmin GPS mapping system. I got the model 62 unit. The Garmin has a really nice display and provides high resolution tracking plus mapping and the ability to follow a track. For TDR I will turn it on occasionally to confirm my position and make sure I am on the proper route. Locally the unit provides high resolution tracking of my rides.

A lot of my rides are in the Old Reedy Creek area where there is a network of twisty single track trails. The high resolution tracking from the Garmin unit can track every little turn of the trails. The following image is from part of the ride I did today on the Rocky Road, 286, and Crabtree park trails.

For Tour Divide I have loaded 8000 data points to represent the route. This works out to about three data points per mile and will ensure that provided the unit is working I will be able to easily navigate the route. I will also have the official tour divide paper maps as a backup and because they provide additional notes about the route.

The other toy I got is the SPOT tracking system. For TDR this will make it easy for people to see where I am. I am also using it on some of my other solo tours because it makes it easy for people to find me if I need help. The SPOT tracking system as a “help me button” and an “I am okay” button in addition to the ability to tack my position and relay it to a satellite system. The position updates about every 10 to 20 minutes so it’s not really a high resolution system. The spot also does not provide any navigation assistance for me. The device knows where I am but it only tells the satellite and does not even have a display to give me my position.

Since the SPOT samples are very low resolution the the mapping feature is very spotty (pun).

If you are ever looking for me and not sure where I am at you can check my SPOT page.

I created a tiny url link for the spot page. I will be using the SPOT on several of my long rides over the next few weeks. Feel free to check out the page but don’t freak out if I am not moving. I may have just turned of the spot or have some dead batteries.
http://tinyurl.com/77259kk