What GPS?

[fabasard]

To be a bit pedantic, it's worth noting that geosynchronous orbit does not necessarily place a satellite at a "fixed" position above the earth's surface. Such an orbit is a special case of a geosynchronous orbit and is called geostationary. XM has two geostationary satellites.

Geosynchronous only means that the orbital period of the satellite is the same as the earth. The Sirius satellites don't orbit on the same orbital plane as the earth and so they move in a big figure 8 relative to the earth's surface.

Check out this page to see the orbits of Sirius and XM satellites.

Details, details. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!! :mooner: You are correct, of course. I thought I was doing good to come up with a term like "geosyncronous orbit" Hell, my IQ goes up 5 points every time I think of that phrase. Course, it goes back down 10 every time of think of sports, but then again I don't do that often.

 

[ba_hiker]

It's water resistant to IPX-2 standards and even floats. I have surfaced from dives several times and have them hand it to me in the water to save a waypoint. .

I am glad that this works for you, but the IPX2 waterproofness standard is not very high. It is not in anyway considered water proof, or splash proof, but rather as drip proof. IPX7 is for intermittent shallow submersion (normally 3 ft for 30 min) IPX8 for continuous submersion (at manufactures specified depth and time).

Generally the IPX2 standard says that the enclosure is tested with dripping water in some single orientation. A welded steel box with one side open is IPX2 waterproof (if tested with the open side down).

A refrence http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/06/ARG/bisenius.htm

 

[archman]

Yeah, treat IPX-7 as "splash-resistant". Port plugs and battery compartments are particularly vulnerable spots.

I poop on IPX-2!

 

[Fastmarc]

Yep, I've read that before, which is why I keep it in a zipbag most of the time.
So far it has survived the little splashes I have subjected it to.

 

[DeepBound]

Technically speaking GPS can be used underwater. And new technology is proving even more positive.

If you intend to use your GPS underwater, I'd recommend a Magellan. You can put it in a waterproof box, take it diving with you, release it to the surface, pull it back down, to see your location. When it loses the signal as you pull it back down, the Magellan won't obscure the position, like some other brands do.