I am hoping someone can help with what is probably going to sound a really stupid couple of questions.
Our son is about to undertake a 60 mile walk and we want to equip him with a GPS system. It has to run on batteries (he wont be near a computer or electricity)be sturdy and be relatively reasonably priced.
Now for a really stupid question - once we have bought it, I assume we have to load maps onto it. Ideally it would be possible to load the map straight onto the system without the aid of a computer.
I would be grateful for any help you can give me. Thanks in advance.
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If he or any of your family or friends has a smart phone, they usualy will take a GPS system. I know i have tom tom on one of mine and i'm sure you can download a tracking systm of some sort...you can tell i'm really up on this stuff can't you.. just an idea
I would imagine some one out there will be able to fill in the rather large gaps.
Most SatNavs come with the maps pre-installed. Some have UK and ROI others have Western or Eastern Europe and some have all of them.
The main problem that I can see is battery life. As they are generally intended to be plugged in to the car's 12 volt supply they do not have a very long time that they can be used 'in the hand'. A lot will only go for a couple of hours before needing a recharge. I think you can get some that run for 4 hours but this might be sales talk.
Now, does he need a handheld GPS device just for the navigation and to use in tally with an OS map, such as one of these ...
...or do you plan to have a full sat-nav type device with integrated maps.
As far as I know, only the top-flight models of GPS aid have integrated maps, mainly being intended to work alongside a paper map.
A Sat-Nav with maps though (such as you'd use in your car), can be got relatively cheaply but you need to aim for one with a pedestrian mode for all the timings and data to be accurate to walking.
PS: If you're son's going to be away from the real world for a while, which I guess he will be doing a 60mile hike, the handheld GPS is the best option re. power. All GPS units are power hungry, but a device such as that pictured above runs off standard AA batteries, so no charging issues. (The Garmin EtrexH retail about £69 new, or about £45 off flea-bay) Alternatively, can he map read? Compass?
Post last edited on 05/05/2010 22:27:59 due to spelling mistake!
I'd like to recommend the Nokia E71 Smart Phone for this. The new Nokia Maps is amazing and now totally free. There is other GPS items built into the phone as well. Nokia maps gives you a 3D view, compass view, 2D view and also satelite now I believe. There's also a stack of free GPS apps available for it. Might be worth a look. Mines a few years old now, so I reckon you could pick one up quite cheap. Also got it on the O2 Simplicity package with the free unlimited web access bolt on. £20 per month.
My Son (Ex Army) uses a Garmin Etrex, very robust unit and survived the Breacon Beacon during winter, he gets all his maps of the internet for free, don't ask me how lol, he is often out on the hills and has used the unit to help the Mountain rescue folk, on the odd occasion, the unit runs of AA's batteries, very nice piece of kit.
Thanks everyone. Sounds like the Garmin etrex is just the kind of thing he is thinking about. He does take his os maps and a compass. The gps was just an additional bit of kit.
------------- We dont stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.
I am wanting a gps receiver as well, partly because if you have an accident you can be tracked by them. I have got a bit paranoid since my accident, you just never know.
I quite fancy trying the geocashing as well.
When I was thinking of a GPS device for geocaching (I haven't bought one yet, but will do one day) the Garmin Oregon was top of my wishlist. I think it all comes down to how much you want to spend really but I'd recommend a handheld dedicated GPS rather than a car Sat Nav or a phone. One of the reasons is, I suppose, because I believe in "Jack of all trades, master of none" but another one, already mentioned, is battery life. There's no way, if I'm out walking in the back of beyond, I'd want to use my phone constantly for navigation and risk running the battery down. My iPhone is great for maps, but has a MUCH shorter battery life than a Garmin, so I think it'd probably run out of juice after an hour or two of navigation.
No connection with Garmin, but I gather they're well thought of and they have a comparison feature on their website so you can compare different models and features.
Quote: Originally posted by lynn6183 on 06/5/2010
I am wanting a gps receiver as well, partly because if you have an accident you can be tracked by them. I have got a bit paranoid since my accident, you just never know.
I quite fancy trying the geocashing as well.
Please Note these GPS's are recievers ONLY they DO NOT transmit your position to others.........
You CAN NOT be tracjed with them
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Topic: GPS Systems
just an idea
