GPS: which unit to buy?

[koltregaskes]

Hello,

I'm considering buying a GPS unit but not sure which one. Previous posts have mentioned the cheap/basic Garmin e-trex units, so I will look into them. But I'm after a unit that I can use for walking around with as well as potentially in the car. Nice things to have would be a barometer, digital compass and 8 (10) digital co-ordinate accuracy.

Can anyone recommend any?

I'm planning to use with on conjunction with my photography, though it doesn't need to be compatible with my camera (a Nikon D300 btw).

Kol

[coasty]

Dont now about GPS but I have used a Sat Nav Navman 510 N for years now,,, It has been very good and it is very compact and can be used on foot. However talking to friends the new navmans dont seem to be as well made. Do make sure you try before you buy as some dont seem ( in my opinion) so easy to use. remember as well that if you want to use one on foot the ability to input coordinates is important and few allow that.

SOme of the guys at work use bespoke GPS in assoc with surveying work we do.I will find out what they recomend

[koltregaskes]

That'll be great, thank you.

Out of the Garmin units I have narrowed it down to 2, the biggest difference between them is a facility called "automatic routing". Does anyone know exactly what this is and how important is it?

My next question would then be regarding maps. For example if I get a Garmin unit am I limited to MapSource/microSD maps or do third party maps work with it, i.e. OS and/or A-Z-style maps?

[koltregaskes]

Also, if anyone is interested the chap on Digital Camera Mag forum details a great way to use a GPS unit with a camera to mark exactly where your photos are taken:

Digital Camera Magazine Community - D300 and GPS units

[coasty]

Auto matic routing on sat nav I think will refer to When you go of route when driving it will automatically calculate a correction route.

I beleive you are stuck with the map software that is installed also be aware of the difference between street level mapping and major route mapping . The manufacturers are quite easy going with their descriptions as to the degree of detail you get.

[koltregaskes]

Yes I can see. I've found the UK maps for Garmin but there is a vague description and no image. :-(

[coasty]

Originally Posted by koltregaskes

Yes I can see. I've found the UK maps for Garmin but there is a vague description and no image. :-(

As I understand things " street level mapping " Means you get all detail down to unmetalled roads Otherwise expect to get only major roads. Also be aware that some maps dont show rail lines at all and river locations in only meagre detail.

The sat nav systems are aimed at car drivers so that is the required detail they are providing, remember try before you buy. Ask the assistant to find a location you are familier with and then you will be able to judge the degree of detail provided.

[Hobjob]

Anquet maps will work with a hand held / mda, and give you 1:25,000 map detail, though you do need a bluetooth recever.

My son has it working for mountain biking.


But whatever you buy, don't forget to take a map and compass

[JeffH]

Does anyone have any experience of the Road Angel Adventurer 7000 - a combined car SatNav and portable GPS with full OS mapping via Memory-Map. It sounds the perfect combination but, as with most multi-purpose devices, I suspect that one or other (or perhaps even both?) of the functions may be below par compared to having two separate dedicated devices

Jeff

[lakewalker]

You could also look at viewranger - ViewRanger : Off-road Topographic Map Navigation, Sports GPS, Buddy Beacon Tracking and Location-Based Content

This puts Ordnance Survey mapping (both 1:50,000 and 1:25,000) with GPS on your mobile phone (you need a Nokia or Samsung phone). Comes with points of interest marked for nature reserves across the UK too.