I know very little about these, I get the concept, but have always shied away from splashing out on one. Think it's time I had one however for an upcoming trip. Your advice would be much appreciated. This is what I want / how I intend to use it: Light / non bulky / robust & waterproof design Mapping not required Will be required now & then for position checking when on the hill - must therefore give OS grid refs Reasonably reliable in 'locking on' / giving position when switched on from cold Comes with all the required leads etc (no extras) Can be used to log positions when told to for future download / tracking Can be used in camp to input gid ref waypoints for the next day (ie not just computer input) Uses 'normal' batteries AA etc I've looked at a few, the Garmin EtrexH (with this you have to buy a separate lead for computer use?) or the Garmin GPS60 seem favourites so far. The latter has some odd reviews on Amazon but good ones on here? Are either of these worth considering? Will they do what I require (is my list realistic anyway?) Given my list and £140 ish to spend what would you recommend? Sorry for all the questions but I'm starting from scratch on this and it's a confusing subject for a newbie
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Etrex, or what phone do you own??
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Ah I did wonder about that option. I have a nokia 6300 on an ultra-cheapo deal, it maybe due an upgrade though - are there any phone/GPS combos that are worth a look?
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 might be better off looking in the GPS forum maybe?
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Theres a fair few threads, on the subject, basically any with Windows OS and built in GPS, then buy the Memory map National Parks and off you go!!! I personally use a HTC Touch diamond, battery life is not as good with any of the phones as a dedicated GPS, but it does mean i have everything in one package. I can get weather, maps, GPS, phone, e-mail, word etc. I bought 2 spare batteries that are 3£ each and weigh nothing. Oh and a protective case. I know the experia works well Avoid the iphone. I do own an etrex aswell, works nice but fiddly and i tend just to let the kids use it.
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 I've got a Mio P350 with integrated GPS available at a reasonablr price 
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Rog the above would be nice, obviously isn't a phone aswell. But alot more capability, memory map etc. If you get it off him make sure you get the settings for the gps using memory map. (sorry no reflection on you dave, just know as a new user its the hardest thing to figger out)
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| Edited: 30/05/09 19:52 |
Thanks guys, those are interesting suggestions. I think I'll put off that leap for now as there are too many options for a snap decision (not least the charging aspect) and get an etrex for outdoors. The Mio and the others could well be my next phone choice though.
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Sounds like a good decision, charging isn't an issue, i carry a solar charger £19 argos and a USB charger pod for my batteries if going longer than a weekend. Then again i am not a satnaver as i call them. I use my GPS to check position or in bad weather, not to follow blindly as some appear to do. Good Luck. I will PM you when i upgrade my HTC!!
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Rog the above would be nice, obviously isn't a phone aswell. But alot more capability, memory map etc. If you get it off him make sure you get the settings for the gps using memory map. (sorry no reflection on you dave, just know as a new user its the hardest thing to figger out) I know what you mean GWIW.....it's a pain finding out the right ports but luckily for whoever I sell it to (£70) I'll preinstall MM or Anquet on it. Still got the original box, cd , charger etc too
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 "Avoid the iphone."
Why avoid the iPhone?
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 'cos if it's anything like the ipod touch in breaks about once a month. Actually I lie, my son managed to keep his alive nearly two months this time before it died. Pile of crap. Although the service from Apple Stores is great. Shame about the product, but boy could everyone learn from their service. By the way, if looking at the Etrex GPS systems, always make sure you get an H model, no matter how cheap an older version is. The H basically keeps the signal much, much better (especially in woods etc) and uses far less battery power.
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I've had my iPhone for 10 months and not had a breakage.
I'd assumed from the earlier post that there a gps related reason for avoiding the iPhone. Having only used it once as a gps I was wondering what it might be.
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??? you cannot get any decent software?? No tomtom, no memory map, no garmin Oh you can get a pint glass that empties as you tip the ipod, lost but amused! Awesome!
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 I have a Garmin GPSmap 60Csx.
You can add your own POI (points of interest)
Standard maps are only OK for getting grid references - I use Garmin Topo mapping for walking.
Waterproof, uses AA batteries, easy USB connection to PC, compatible with Google Earth.
I wouldn't be without it as I can hop on a train go somewhere and be able to find everything I need.
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I'm can't defend the iPhone as a gps, as I said I've only used it once in that role and I'm not au fait with gps, but it did show exactly where I was and I was able to find the footpath I needed.
You can, of course, find all sorts of rubbish in the apps, but you don't have to download them. Some, however, are useful.
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 Maybe save up your pennies (cents) for one of these, a TwoNav Aventura, launched in europe yesterday. A bit new to have any decent reviews on it as yet, and slightly pricey, but it seems you can load your own maps onto it and so aren't tied into particular mapping software.
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That looks very interesting.
I'd really like OS mapping, and I've been waiting since the SatNav 10 came out for them to sort the Apple Mac software. A couple of years ago they "were working on it" and at the last Outdoor Show they had "started again on the software".
I've considered getting one of those little eesus notebooks just to run mapping software but fear the MS aggravations of a decade ago which prompted my change to Macs.
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Nobby run windows 7!!! in a virtual machine on your mac or a XP if you mac is not top spec. I run linux UBUNTU on all my PC and laptop and run a vitual machine for things like MM
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Well, owning a new Garmin Colorado 300 I'd say the even newer, touch screen Garmin Oregon may be your best bet. It's by far the most advance mapping GPS available for hiking. Mapping GPSs are where it's going to be for the forseable future. Anything less will leave you frustrated. Getting the most advanced unit will give you years of use before technology passes you completely by. You just THINK you don't need a mapping GPS. Once you use one for a while nothing les will ever do. And now we Yanks have to pony up the taxes to fix our long-neglected GPS saellite constellation. It's always something. Eric
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| Edited: 03/06/09 00:20 |
