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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT USING A GPS...

• Record tracks and journeys
• Record positions of places
• Want to know your place on earth
• Want to play a new hobby

If your answer is all or anyone of the above, then read on.

Global Positioning Systems, tell you where you are and how did you get there and also gives you a 'map' of your current location.

Your GPS unit triangulate at any number of the 24 satellites put up by the US Defense department and gives you a fix on planet earth.

There is much to be said about using a GPS and you can search the net on this subject till... never mind.

I am no expert, but I have used and owned a GPS for a few years. Only recently did I know how to use this God given tool. I will attempt to share a few pointers that I have learnt in the past few months.

1. New development - the X. Garmin (and I have only used Garmin after I received bad service from Magellan - a long time ago) has developed this new chip that can track satellites through thick forest foliage and in urban canyons (areas between tall buildings).

A lot of the old Garmins have been upgraded e.g., the Vista to Vista CX (C= colour and X= the new chip). the 'X' is suppose to be expandable memory...

2. You need MapSource (from Garmin). This enables you to edit your tracks, routes and waypoints and keep them in proper order. I have heard of AussieExplorer but have never used this free shareware.

The eTrex Vista Cx - new generation of GPS.

A number of new Garmin GPS units throw in MapSource for free.

2.1 MapSource enables you to upload new updated base maps to your GPS. The process is simple but you'll have to get the updated basemap.

2.2 Join www.malsingmaps.com if you really want to learn more about using your GPS unit. This site has the latest basemaps from this Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Brunei.

If you don't care for an updated basemap, then don't bother reading any further.

3. The biggest reason for having MapSource is that you can view your track on Google Earth. Download the Google earth programme first. Then in MapSource, go to view, view in Google Earth and walla, fly to your track.. I have tracked longhouses and isolated areas and could even guess the Borneo Safari 2006 route in Sabah from Google earth.

4. Not all GPS are the same. Going from a 276C to 76CX, I could not find the settings for some functions. I need to call some other experts... Be familiar with it.

5. Everything electronic and mechanical will fail...that is why it is still good to know how to use map and compass and have a compass handy.

6. In unfamiliar territory, the track back function can get you out of trouble and back to where you started. Try driving around in a palm oil estate (where everything looks the same) and this can be very rewarding.

7. A GPS draws a track of where you have been and this can be used to see if you want to go further or how to get to start point or any other areas.

8. You could search for your destination or put your cursor on a given destination and let the GPS navigate you to your destination. Be warned- there are times when the directions given are outright WRONG! Use your sense of direction and ignore some turning - set the route to 'fastest time' instead of shorter distance.

1. Make sure that your GPS is in automotive mode -tracks go along roads. In marine mode you will have straight line form one point to another.
2. Switch the unit on and let it log on to the satellites. This may take longer in a new location and also under forest canopy or if you have tall building around you.
3. Go to map page
4. Start your journey and see your movement on the map.
5. To back track: goto navigation page and find the back track function. The GPS will draw a route for you to back track. You could also see you route and follow it back wards.
6. To find a location. Goto navigate and enter new route. Goto find function and a list of places usually comes up. Highlight the place and press enter.*
7. Alternatively you could move your cursor to the location that you want to go to and press enter and the GPS will compute a route for you.*

*GPS can only compute routes on base maps that have roads or routes to your desired location.

BE WARNED DIFFERENT GPS UNITS WORKS DIFFERENTLY. THEREFORE LEARN TO USE YOUR UNIT PROPERLY.