GPS

[Hunter]

Hi guys and girls

thinking of getting me a GPS but have'nt a clue were to start... help please

hunter

[RedLeader]

This is a topic which is oddly both very simple and quite complex.

Basically it depends on what you intend to do with it. Are you using it for walking, driving or boating and do you need it to show you a map or just lat/long (or grid ref) co-ordinates.

[Hunter]

Just want it for grid ref and maybe map too

[LandyLiam]

the satmap active 10 is the daddy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000W6YN82/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=5110090625&ref=pd_sl_7ocnh6ycwd_b


http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/satmap-active10-handheld-topo-gps-a10115.php


but are you looking for something to do a bit of geocaching? or is it for tracking your walks? and most importantly, whats your budget !!!

[suspectmonkey]

For GPS with mapping I've been looking at the Lowrance range sold by Mapyx.  They seem to be a good unit and I would be able to load my Quo maps onto one of them.  However, at £300 I'm going to have to make do with a map/compass for another while yet

If you have an iPhone you can use an app called GPS by MotionX.  It gives basic terrain mapping with a track recorder, locator etc.  I would never rely on it though as twice now its let me down when recording a track.  It's also pretty hard on the battery, so useless for anything over 2-4 hours unless you have some way of topping up your battery (solar charger etc).  That said, it can still be very useful and for all it costs you find out what features you might need/use in a decicated GPS unit.

[LandyLiam]

did you ever get a gps hunter?

i'm now thinking of getting something a bit more suitable than my tomtom for the hills, i do so much walking alone and with the dark winter nights coming i think it'll be an essential safety feature, so anybody any recommendations? basically i want something as cheap as possible with the mournes available on 1:25k mapping, am i right in think i'll have to spend at least £150 for this, might even be tempted to spend more if there are extra useful features

[specimanYak]

I was checking out GPS apps for various phones earlier, they may be of some help:

Android: http://goo.gl/DuFXU

Blackberry: http://goo.gl/MwoJ

iPhone: http://goo.gl/NOHqb

Ordnance Survey OS Open data: http://goo.gl/BBeJ2

[Hunter]

No never got one all to pricey for me could'nt pay amount money for something i'll only use every now and then but mite get one some day but thanks for the info lads.

[LandyLiam]

i reckon mine will get used a lot, i've been been taking my tomtom from the car into the hills and i've been marking all the summits and important features like stiles in case i get lost in the mist, it would probably get me out safely but the battery doesn't last very long and i can't just pop a new set in 

i've been looking at the garmin etrex stuff and its a bit confusing figuring out which model has what feature, they seem to have a new series out soon called the etrex 10, 20 & 30, the 20 would seem to be what i'm looking for http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/garmin-etrex-20-select-bundle/fuseaction/products.detail/code/A2110123/group/273/level/2 at £180

[RedLeader]

I have an Garmin Etrex and I use it loads. More for recording a route I've walked than planning a route but it comes everywhere with me (outdoors that is, I don't use it in the bath or anything).

[LandyLiam]

what model is your etrex?

[RedLeader]

eTrex Vista HCx
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703

Shame I don't have anything except the base maps (which are pants). It's not bad, has proven reliable but a bit duff to use, although I hacked it so I may have made it harder to use myself.

what model is your etrex?

[suspectmonkey]

I've been quite impressed with ViewRanger which is avaible for iPhone, Android and Symbian.  The free Open Maps are quite good to get a taste of the app and I'm going to go ahead and buy the Mournes mapping.  If you are using Open Maps you can cache the data so your phone doesn't need a data signal to show the mapping, and obviously if you buy mapping it is installed on your device so again doesn't rely on mobile phone networks.  To sweeten the deal you can get 15% off ViewRanger mapping if you are a Mountaineering Ireland member.  Well worth a try if you don't think you would get enough use out of a dedicated GPS system or want to try out the technology without spending a lot of money.  I believe its quite popular with SAR teams as well! 

[cerbera147]

eTrex Vista HCx
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703

Shame I don't have anything except the base maps (which are pants). It's not bad, has proven reliable but a bit duff to use, although I hacked it so I may have made it harder to use myself.

what model is your etrex?

You need to visit Talky Toaster's site    http://www.talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Free mapping for UK and Ireland for Garmin GPS. I've used in on my Garmin Dakota 10 and it works a treat.

I got my GPS with Amazon vouchers from work so effectively for free. Always wanted one but could never justify it. Then I discovered Geocaching. It always comes with me even if not caching.

On a side note I had an issue with my Garmin Dakota 10 just outside of warranty. They had a new unit [refurb] with me within a week of contacting them. I know many others have had similiar good experiences of their customer services.

[RedLeader]

Good find, I didn't realise OpenStreetMap had come on so far for areas with no roads. I'll give it a whirl tonight.

eTrex Vista HCx
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703

Shame I don't have anything except the base maps (which are pants). It's not bad, has proven reliable but a bit duff to use, although I hacked it so I may have made it harder to use myself.

what model is your etrex?

You need to visit Talky Toaster's site    http://www.talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Free mapping for UK and Ireland for Garmin GPS. I've used in on my Garmin Dakota 10 and it works a treat.

I got my GPS with Amazon vouchers from work so effectively for free. Always wanted one but could never justify it. Then I discovered Geocaching. It always comes with me even if not caching.

On a side note I had an issue with my Garmin Dakota 10 just outside of warranty. They had a new unit [refurb] with me within a week of contacting them. I know many others have had similiar good experiences of their customer services.