1301KM (Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Kota Bahru)

How far can you go if you're given a 4WD. a GPS and with only 1 and half days time to do it?

I manage to clock 1301KM in 39 hours with a 4WD. This is the fastest route to Kota Bahru via Simpang Pulai - Gua Musang.

Why I choose this route instead of going up north via Karak Highway - Bentong - Raub - Kuala Lipis - Gua Musang way instead? Plain simple - from google map, when you search two destination (Here I search between Petaling Jaya and Kota Bahru), first preferred choice are:
1. Petaling Jaya - Bentong - Raub - Kuala Lipis - Gua Musang way, the other will be,
2. Petaling Jaya - Simpang Pulai - Gua Musang and the last one will be,
3. Petaling Jaya - Bukit Beruntung - Kuala Kubu Bahru - Fraser Hill - Raub - Gua Musang.

We did tested the first route from Petaling Jaya via Bentong - Raub - Kuala Lipis - Gua Musang way, we notice that even the route is short (469KM, 7 hours 42 mins), somehow the entire journey is slow, average speed is around 60km/h.

We tested the second route from Petaling Jaya via Simpang Pulai to Gua Musang (526KM, 7 hours 31 minutes). The journey from Petaling Jaya to Simpang Pulai is fast due to NSE where we can clock average speed of 100km/h and then from Simpang Pulai to Gua Musang via Cameron Highland bypass and Lojing (Average speed 50km/h due to crossing Titiwangsa Range). The entire journey is cut short nearly by 2 hours if you read the logged data from GPS.

Route 2 seems like 60km longer than route 1 but then the journey reduced by nearly 2 hours.

Be cautious when crossing Simpang Pulai -Lojing - Gua Musang Titiwangsa Range as the route is quite windy and lots of landslide occurs along the road. There's also lots of mist when you travel in the early morning. Look out for the logging truck that struck along the road.

 View from Gua Musang - Lojing Route - Palm Oil Estate

 View from Gua Musang - Lojing Route.

Panaromic View from Gua Musang - Lojing Route

Kuala Kerai - Gua Musang Route

Gua Musang - Kuala Kerai - Morning

Cameron Highland - Tanah Rata - Tapah Route (Low visibility downhill)

Cameron Highland - Tanah Rata - Tapah Route (Low visibility at dawn)

Garmin Etrex 30

I always wanted a handheld GPS for tracking and mapping purposes.
After a thorough survey from the web, I decided to land my hand on Garmin Etrex 30. It's the highest end of Garmin Etrex series. The new etrex using GPS and Russian GLONASS positioning system. Location log on is quite fast and accurate with both GPS and GLONASS turned on with WAAS.

The unit is quite small and fit nicely in my palm. Etrex is powered by two AA sized battery. A 2800 NiMH rechargeable battery will last you approximately 25 hours under normal operating condition.

Here's a few screen capture from etrex 30. Manage to track approx 4.4K KM from the date I bought.

Elevation graph.

The route I drove from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bahru, Kelantan via Simpang Pulai - Gua Musang scenic route.

Route I drove from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur via NSE.

One of the popular Thai Restaurant in Wakaf Bharu. Somewhere near Kota Bahru.

Comparison between Etrex 10, 20 and 30:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?

cID=145&compareProduct=87774&compareProduct=87771&compareProduct=87768

IMHO etrex 30 is small enough to mount in on mountain bike. It is also light enough to be pack behind your backpack when tracking. It can be link up to heart rate monitor, cadence sensor and temperature sensor.

There's a few list of original garmin accesories for etrex that worth checking out:

Bike mount - best for mountain biker. Comes with 4 cable ties.

I owned and used this on my MTB. Mounted it in the middle of the stem if it's long enough. Else I just mount in on one side of the handle bar.

Carrying case with belt clip - best to use when on trail. I used this on trail and notice that it's good for protection. The clip can be used to mount your etrex on your rucksack or belt.

The things that I don't like about the case is after a while the transparent screen will looks dirty and dull.

Another thing it's NOT ADVISABLE to install MATT screen protector on the etrex as it will make it harder to see after you put it into the carrying case.

Auto friction mount - best if you wanted to use it as track logger inside your vehicle. Fast deployment. Make sure you remove your etrex from the screen if it is not in used as expose under hot sun is not something the electronic love.

Premium heart rate monitor - best for trail runner and mountain biker. A must have tools if you wanted to track your fitness level with GPS location.

There are many more accesories for etrex. I found the above mentioned are basically good enough for everyday use include trail run and mountain biking.

Do share with me your experience with garmin etrex series.

Thanks