"A cheap but very effective entry level handheld GPS with impressive battery life compared to the competition..."
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Lowrance iFinder Go GPS
Tested
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Price: £89.99
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Weight: 151.9gm
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Features: 16 Channel GPS.
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Long battery Life.
No digital mapping compatibility.
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The Concept A cheap, handheld GPS with long battery life, minimal weight and entry level price.
FeaturesThe main features of the iFinder Go include the ability to track up to 16 satellites simultaneously, as opposed to the normal 12 channels. The more satellites a receiver can take a positional fix from the more accurate the resulting position is. This background map preloaded on this model is of limited use, being the continental USA, but the unit comes with GB OS datum which means you can still get reliable positioning.
The screen is 16 level greyscale with a high contrast 2 inch (diagonal) display and an amber backlit screen. Up to 1,000 waypoints and 100 routes can be stored internally with up to 10,000 points in any single trail and 100 retraceable plot trails. The unit weighs 151.9 gm when loaded with the required two AA batteries, and at only 5.15x2.12x1.24 inches should easily fir into any pocket. Although waterproof up to IPX7 standard it’s advisable to still keep the unit in a waterproof container if there’s a chance of total submersion.
In Action We tested theiFinder Go over severa weeks in the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Peak District. Comparisons were made with the iPaq 5550 running Memory Map on screen in combination with a Bluetooth GPS unit. Throughout the test the iFinder Go consistently matched the locations shown on both the iPaq screen and the relevant paper map.
Setup was very easy and once the first fix was made (about 4 minutes) future fixes were both fast and reliable. The screen was readable in all but the very strongest direct sunlight (not a usual British occurrence anyway), and there was no problem using the unit even in heavy downpours.
We used route tracking, retracing and route planning successfully throughout the tests without problem. The iFinder GO provides both advanced and simple modes. The Simple Mode option shows; Satellite fixes, direction of heading including when you’re off course from a pre-programmed route, speed, distance travelled and travel time. To get a grid reference for your position you need to switch to Advanced Mode, where in addition to the Simple Mode features you also get an altimeter, date and local time.
Unfortunately the iFinder Go is not compatible with major digital mapping software such as Anquet, Memory Map or Tracklogs, but used as a location finder and “in use” wayfinder it performed admirably – matching more expensive units for its location. Given the low level entry price it was above expectations and provided all the necessary functions in a legible manner very quickly. If you only want to use a GPS as an emergency location confirmation tool, and most of the time it’ll sit unused in your rucksack, then this unit will do pretty much what you want without breaking the bank.
At the end of the day the choice of which GPS you buy comes down to what you want to use it for. If all you need is something to confirm your location or give you an accurate grid reference this is ideal. At this price level the iFinder GO has a very impressive feature set when it comes to internally storing waypoint, tracks and routes – more than matching many more expensive models. The GO is aimed at entry level users, and the Simple Mode is ideal for beginners . Setup is quick and easy – we deliberately went through the setup without reference to the manual to test ease of use, and in fact never had to refer to the manual except for the write up of specifications. One of the most impressive features was the battery life of more than 48 hours continuous use! All in all a great little unit for those who don’t need digital mapping compatibility or an on-screen map display.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
A cheap but very effective entry level handheld GPS with impressive battery life compared to the competition. No digital mapping software compatibility but a good internal memory for storing an amazing quantity of waypoints tracks and routes.
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