Golflogix Question

[fyrmng]

I have the GPS-8 and in settings under the system tab the choices are Normal, WAAS, and Demo. What is the difference between Normal and WAAS? Is one more accurate than the other? I submitted the questions to Golflogix but I am not expecting an answer over the weekend.

[jpggpj]

Check out this link. http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html It explains more about WAAS. Here is a take from it:

 

You've heard the term WAAS, seen it on packaging and ads for Garmin® products, and maybe even know it stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. Okay, so what the heck is it? Basically, it's a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to utilize WAAS.

 

It seems that if you enable the WAAS function you will/could be 3 to 5 yards more accurate. It says that WAAS is < 3 meters off on accuracy while regular GPS signals can be 3-5 meters off. In some cases, GPS signals can be 10-15 meters off. Just for the record, 1 meter = 1.09 yards.

[brianwestchest]

I just spoke to Garmin (you can call for support even though they try to make you think you cannot on their website). The guy told me the reason they do not set the device to WAAS out of the box is it "kills batteries". He said it will go through 2-3x the number of batteries using WAAS. He said he doesn't know anyone that uses it set to WAAS and its accuracy should be fine on the normal setting. He could not tell me if WAAS would be more accurate saying he had no data on it.