GPS for Your Wrist — Garmin Foretrex

[buglerbilly]

by christian on June 14, 2010



Got a note from a reader on our Kit Up! tip linesuggesting we discuss the benefits of the Garmin Foretrex wrist-mounted GPS.

I will say that I saw these things on the wrists of several small unit commanders and NCOs over in Afghanistan and I can surely understand their utility. As our reader says:

Got turned on to the [Foretrex] GPS last year (by a couple JTACs) before I deployed to Iraq…took the wrist clip connector off of it and put it in a standard MIL ID card holder…fits perfect… wear it on my arm… and the GPS is easy to use and takes up little to no space.

Our JTAC in Paktika, ‘Square,’ wore one and I’ve seen other platoon and company-level leaders wearing them as well. I’ve never actually used one myself, so I have no first hand knowledge of their ins and outs, but I will say the system makes sense to me. Other, more sophisticated models have internal maps and other whistles and bells. But seems to me the Foretrex has the KISS method down pat. All you need at latlong or six-digit grid, altitude and bearing. And that’s what the Foretrex gives you.

Our reader also suggests these units, which retail for about $200, should be “standard issue” and we at Kit Up! agree…at least for small unit officers and NCOs. Something this simple, functional and low profile that could prove the difference between life and death when it means a Medevac, fire mission or CAS shouldn’t be an out-of-pocket expense.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/2010/06/gps-for-your-wrist-garmin-foretrex.html#ixzz0qt46iMCb

[Raven22]

The Foretrex is awesome. It fits neatly on the stock of the F88 so you can tell your position just be glancing at your rifle, it works quite well inside vehicles, and it is one of the few GPSs that work inside the 'bubble'. Sure beats the brick-sized PLGR that still gets issued.

[buglerbilly]

Here's a good offer................

$100 Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver

June 23rd, 2010 | DealScout | Posted by Rob Curtis

Amazon is offering the reliable little Venture HC GPS as its deal of the day. It might be last gen tech, but it’s still got it where it counts and for $100 it’s a solid value. It’ll give you posreps all day on a pair of AAs. In addition to its better battery life, the screen is easier to read than the newer touch-screen models.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-Venture-HC-Receiver/dp/B000PDR230/ref=xs_gb_A171QUIRXYUUBE?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=441937901&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=16R5ZFXVR6Z5ANSRYDDV

[buglerbilly]

Bushnell Redesigns Popular BackTrack Line

by christian on August 4, 2010



The optics giant Bushnell had a rough start with its Google Earth-like Onix GPS unit — one of its first forays into the hand-held GPS unit market in a consumer world saturated with such gadgets.

But a couple years after the Onix was overshadowed by more functional smartphones with embedded Google Maps, the company took several steps back and made a product that’s simpler, cheaper and more appealing than yet another mapping unit.

The BackTrack was well under $100 when it was introduced and simply allowed users to pinpoint where they were, keep track of where they were going and have the unit walk them back to their original destination. Not much for finding this ridgeline or patrolling up that draw, but if you got your squad turned around in the back streets of Ramadi, this little device would help you get back to the COP sure as shootin’.

Well, Bushnell has updated the BackTrack, offering two models with just enough added features to make them attractive, but still keeping the price below $100. The BackTrack 3 and BackTrack 5 have added waypoint capability and a new design that’ll surely appeal to Joes and Grunts who have less and less room to carry added tech.

Like the original BackTrack, the Point 3 allows users to mark up to three separate locations or waypoints. In compass mode the arrow points north and displays the direction you are facing in degrees.

The BackTrack Point 5 can store up to five separate locations. It has an integrated digital compass that resembles an actual compass. The Point 5 also includes latitude and longitude coordinates when in compass mode. It displays time, temperature and altitude as well, giving the user a wealth of valuable information for their hike or trip.

Both units display an arrow pointing in the direction of the marked waypoint with the distance to the destination. They have a backlit screen feature for low light conditions. The auto off feature turns the units off 5 minutes after the last button is pushed to conserve battery life. Measurement readings can be changed from U.S. to metric and the clock on the Point 5 can be set for civilian or military time.

The BT 3 comes in at a bantum $69 and the BT 5 is $89. So all you friends and family of troopers heading to the box in the near term, here’s a perfect piece of kit that’ll help them find their way back from deployment.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz0vgYN33XR

[buglerbilly]

From Soldier Systems..........

Lockable DAGR Mount

January 18th, 2011

Our friends at Supply Captain are showing a really cool lockable DAGR mount. This is an indispensable idea as the DAGR GPS device is highly pilferable, especially when vehicles are left unattended like during visits to neighboring FOBs.



Check it out at SHOT Show booth #7502 or visit www.supplycaptain.com

[buglerbilly]

Here's one for your lil' doggie or your local hoon's vehicle OR your air-dropped cargo, in fact no limit to the uses you could dream up............via Soldier Systems blog

Garmin K9 Tracker

July 7th, 2011

The Astro 320 from Garmin International was designed as a GPS-enabled tracking system for sporting dogs. However, military and LE K9 personnel might find the gears in their heads start to move once they take a look at it. Others may come up with some other interesting uses as well.



Compatible with Garmin’s DC 20, DC 30, and DC™ 40 dog tracking collars the new Astro 320 GPS receiver can up to ten dogs at once across up to nine miles in flat, unobstructed terrain with the optional extended range antenna. The waterproof handheld has a 3-axis electronic compass allowing you to accurately view the dog’s position when holding the Astro 320 at any angle, an internal vibration motor that supports silent alerts in addition to audible tones, and a keypad lock.

It features a vibrant 2.6” 65k color sunlight-readable display and built-in shaded relief world wide basemap that depicts basic geographical features. Additional mapping detail can be added by using the internal memory or a microSD card slot for optional products such as the subscription-based BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery or topographic maps.

Here are a few screenshots to give you an idea of some of the Astro 320′s functionality.



The best place I have found to purchase Garmin products is from Strohman Enterprise. Owned by Lt Col Joseph Strohman USMC (Ret), the company supplies Garmin and Aimpoint products to LE & Military organizations as well as individual personnel. Joe and his crew are well versed in all of the products and can answer any questions.

www.garmin.com

[buglerbilly]

Via Soldier Systems blog.......

New Garmin 401 Kit from 215 Gear

December 21st, 2011

215 Gear is offering a great deal on a kit consisting of the Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS and their updated carrying pouch.



The waterproof Foretrex 401 is a big improvement over the original 101 boasting the addition of an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. The pouch is available in MultiCam and Coyote and can be worn on the forearm or attached to your stock. Additionally, it features a removable flap to protect from damage and guard against a light AD from your GPS.

http://215gearstore.com/gpspouchand401kit.aspx