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GPS Buyers Guide

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Types of GPS

Find out what options are available when buying a GPS device

Posted: 9 August 2008

GPS Receivers come in a wide range of formats, styles and prices and are available as stand alone / dedicated navigation devices units or as integrated features on Pocket PC’s, Smartphones and even watches. They are all portable navigation devices (PNDs). The real difference between types of devices is whether it comes with mapping ready installed or whether you need to buy it and install it yourself.

Entry Level Models
The new generation of entry level models are now available for well under £100. Typically these will use the signals from up to 12 satellites to give a basic level of output limited to displaying your position and direction of travel.

Position can usually be displayed in a choice of format including latitude/longitude or grid reference, and most GPS units ship with a base map to show your position (base maps installed usually depend on the country the unit was designed to ship to - eg. US models will have a base map of the USA). In addition you can expect your basic GPS to be WASS enabled, give you full GPS features (waypoint, routes and tracks) and if it’s Garmin device it’ll be compatible with your PC too. On the minus side, you may have to put up with slightly fiddly buttons, a black and white screen, a smaller memory (Imb) and limited or no mapping software, but at under 100 quid, they’re still great value.

Entry level models from Garmin:

Etrex H
GPS 60

Other entry level models:

Magellan eXplorist 100
Fortuna GPSmart

The Garmin Etrex H – great value

Models with Mapping
There is now a large range of devices that show you position on an accurate map (see more on types of map). Pleasingly, these products combine the mapping prowess of the Pocket PC or PC with GPS and the outdoorsy ruggedness of a dedicated GPS device. You get everything you’d get on a basic model but with access to mapping software (using either the internal memory or, better still, an SD card slot) and a colour screen to give you the full benefit of the mapping.

The chances are, a model with mapping will be general ‘better dressed’ than a basic model so you can expect a high sensitivity aerial, full pc compatibility (regardless of make), turn by turn routing capability and maybe an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Models with mapping from Garmin:

Etrex Venture HC
Etrex Summit HC
Etrex Legend HCX
Etrex Vista HCX
GPS 60 CX
GPS 60 CSX

Other models with mapping:

Magelan Triton 200
Magellan triton 300
Magellan Triton 400
Magellan Triton 500
ViewRanger
PDA/Mobile with Bluetooth Receiver

The Garmin Vista Hcx

Advanced Models
The most advanced models, like the Colorado, offer all the features you’d expect on the best mapping units plus a drawer full of other tricks and functions.

It may have an internal camera and a mp3 recorder so you can make geo-tagged image and audio files en route, a heart rate monitor so you can overlay fitness data to your route and wireless sharing of data with compatible devices ( see more on rout esharing)

A ‘beefed up’ internal memory (up to 500mb) makes room for a Worldwide basemap and image viewer and the SD card slot means you can add memory to satisfy your memory -hungry mapping software and still have room for the image and audio files you’ll amass.

Advanced models from Garmin:

Colorado 300
Oregon 200
Oregon 300
Oregon 400t

Other advanced models:

Magellan Triton 1500
Magellan Triton 2000
Mobile Anquet
Mobile Memory Map
Mobile Quo
SatMap Active 10

The Garmin Colorado 300

GPS as a feature on PDA’s or Pocket PCs
Nowadays many PDA’s have GPS capabilities built in. When coupled with digital mapping, these devices offer the advantage of showing your position on a large screen filled with accurate digital mapping. (e.g. OS 1:25K) The downside is that they’re a bit weighty, chomp through batteries and don’t get on so well with puddles or rain – but you can get waterproof cases.

Performance products
If you’re an adventure racer, mountain biker or just like to keep track of your personal performances there are lightweight wrist and handlebar mounted products that offer GPS navigation coupled with training aids like heart rate monitors. Inevitably, to squeeze all this extra clever stuff in while keeping the size and weight down, the screens will probably smaller. As ever, its about weighing up priorities.

Performance models from Garmin:

The Edge

Other performance models:

Suunto T9i watch
Memory Map Adventurer
Magellan Crossover
Timex GPS watch

The Edge

About the contributors

	Dave Mycroft is OM’s very own routes editor and a self-confessed GPS nerd. He’s an outdoors and technology writer with impressive navigation credentials earned on some proper hills and trails.
	Garmin is a world leader in GPS and has an excellent range of products suited to British hill walkers. Not only that, we love the way it's approachable and supportive of projects like this one or Geocaching. How refreshing!
	GPS Training is the acknowledged leader in GPS training and advice. This small, family-run company runs accessible training courses and will give you the best possible advice on kit. You won’t go wrong talking to these guys before you buy – they know their stuff and will tell you the truth.

GPS Basics The Basics of Navigation GPS Basics GPS Facts More Help With GPS	Getting Started Set Up Finding a Signal What the Buttons Do Basic Functions	GPS Buyer's Guide Types of GPS Functions and Features How to Choose Your GPS
Using Your GPS Marks Waypoints Tracks Routes	GPS and Your PC Connecting your GPS to Your Computer Mapping Software Explained Garmin Topo Mapping Digital Mapping Software GPS Compatible Routes and Route Sharing

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Discuss this story

Bobateyemouth

You seem to have overlooked the Lowrance models - even in your basic segment. Are you not sidesteeping giving information about a useful piece of kit. In my expereince the Lowrance does as much as many other more expensive models.

Posted: 15/10/2008 at 12:40

Dave Mycroft

Lowrance models haven't been mentioned, along with a few other manufacturers. The main reason is that we've concentrated more on the most widely available models in the UK. Lowrance is a much bigger name in the USA than the UK, where Garmin and Magellan dominate along with the emerging SatMap Active 10.

Posted: 15/10/2008 at 13:13

Mal Mawr

Lowrance was a big name in marine navigation, a name featured prominently on Royal Navy navigational and electronic IDFF equipment in the 60s and 70s. That should suggest a pedigree of sorts.

Posted: 15/10/2008 at 13:58

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