GPS- best for a dummy

Wild-Woman · #1 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 04:04 PM

As I've joined a reptile group, I am expected to help out with surveys etc. We've been told to get hold of a GPS second-hand if possible. I would like an easy to use one. Does anyone have experience of them and what one would you suggest. ww

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 04:27 PM

Have a peek at www.alanaecology.co.uk
www.garmin.com
www.magellangps.com
the garmin e-trex is supposed to be easy to use as is the magellan explorist 500(designed for caching competitions)

Jonny · #3 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

As I've joined a reptile group, I am expected to help out with surveys etc. We've been told to get hold of a GPS second-hand if possible. I would like an easy to use one. Does anyone have experience of them and what one would you suggest. ww

Gps is great and I would recommend you get a bottom of the range Garmin like the e-trex or the geko 101, or magellan make good ones too. The more expensive ones will be more complicated, haveing more things on them to understand, like barometers, altimeters and digital compasses. I should imagine you need the gps to get a four digit map reference for where you find the reptiles. Just one thing to point out is that it can be hard to get a fix, when you turn on the gps, meaning, it has to find at least three satalites to get a fix and if you are in woodland or there is not much sky around you are going to struggle to get a fix. Once it has a fix it will stay locked on pretty well, even in woodland etc, its just getting that first fix which can be tricky. If you are good with a map and compass and you know the area, I wouldn't bother getting one. Hope this helps.................Jon

lol geoff · #4 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 04:46 PM

I am not an expert by any means of the imagination but I would choose one that you can use in the car as well. Most units will give you northerlys and easterlys but the ones designed for walking may not have good mapping software for driving. Battery life is also an important consideration as well as water resistance. You can buy units that are totaly waterproof, that are designed for Yachting or motorcycling, but these tend to be quite expensive. The non waterproof ones however are as waterproof as a mobile phone so if you an keep one of those dry you won't have any problems with a GPS. Most units that are designed for use in a vehicle will have a power lead so you can charge the battery whilst you are on the move.

As a Keen motoryclist I use one on the bike, mine is not waterproof so I use it tucked into a waterproof pocket with headphones under my helmet telling me where to go.

I love my GPS as it takes me places that I didn't know was there even on my own doorstep. If you want an interesting journey just ask for the shortest route and it will take you down all sorts of tracks and lanes, and if I am running ot of fuel I just ask it to find the nearest petrol station and off we go.

The price of GPS's are dropping all the time so you would probably be better off buying newyou could try here http://www.gpsw.co.uk/ as they have a wide selection of equipment and a very knowledgable sales team. I have no connection with this company.

HelenF · #5 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 05:00 PM

I use the Garmin Etrex and would recommend that. It's very easy to use, waterproof, has a strap which hangs round your neck and is fairly cheap.

Helen

Jonny · #6 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 05:07 PM

Found one on ebay for you to keep an eye on if you like, there are a few on there and remember that they sell new for about £115 or there abouts before bidding............Jon
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Garmin-Extrex-...QQcmdZViewItem

Wild-Woman · #7 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 05:17 PM

Cheers for the replies.Going to go ebaying now I know what to look for. Tutor said 6 figure grid reference. I suppose they do that. .Not so good with a map because I can't read without my glasses now. Getting old and all that. ww

Mark43 · #8 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Cheers for the replies.Going to go ebaying now I know what to look for. Tutor said 6 figure grid reference. I suppose they do that. .Not so good with a map because I can't read without my glasses now. Getting old and all that. ww

Some only do 4 figure iirc.

Jonny · #9 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Cheers for the replies.Going to go ebaying now I know what to look for. Tutor said 6 figure grid reference. I suppose they do that. .Not so good with a map because I can't read without my glasses now. Getting old and all that. ww

When tutor said 6 figure, he/she probably meant 3 + 3, as in NM 525 331.
A four (or eight) digit reference (ie NM 5250 3312) is much more accurate.
I cannot understand why you need to go to the expence of buying a gps just for reptile surveying, are you being sent out into the wilderness ?................Jon

Oy · #10 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelenF

I use the Garmin Etrex and would recommend that. It's very easy to use, waterproof, has a strap which hangs round your neck and is fairly cheap.

Helen

I'd 2nd that - we use them at work and have done for the last 3 years - daily. We've had 100% reliability from them.