Suggestions on GPS

Hi Dewi

If you get a copy of Feb 2005 Trail magazine you'll find a good review of a
range of decent GPS's.

Which ever one you decide on purchasing I recommend that you don't pay the
UK asking price but have a look around eBay and save yourself a fortune.

BTW that's what I did and ended up with a very useful Magellan eXplorist 100
and saved over £70.00 of the UK asking price

Good luck

Steve

"Dewi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
What I need to do is hint which one.

So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.

I would like to use it with Memory Map.
Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.
I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
skills are excellent ;-)

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

thanks.

--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)

Dewi wrote on Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:04:57 +0000....

Quoted message said:

Where do you know is cheap to buy?

When I bought mine recently, the cheapest was
http://www.sportextreme.com/pq823/

This is in Denmark. Beware that although they quote in pounds, they
eventually charge you in euros. So what you actually pay depends on
the exchange rate on the day, and whether your credit card loads the
exchange rate (most do so by typically 2.75%). However, I had no
problems with ordering, delivery etc, and it was still the cheapest
deal for the model I wanted.

Cheap places I found in the UK but didn't use:
http://www.tracklogs.co.uk/cgi-bin/publ/user.cgi
http://www.gpsw.co.uk/cats/cl2_1.html
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/
http://www.expansys.com/d_gps.asp

--
Tim Jackson
[email hidden]
(Change '.invalid' to '.co.uk' to reply direct)
Absurd patents: visit http://www.patent.freeserve.co.uk

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:04:57 +0000, Dewi
<[email hidden]> wrote:

| A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
| What I need to do is hint which one.
|
| So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.
|
| I would like to use it with Memory Map.
| Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.

AA rechargables are commonly available. Buy the ones with the biggest MAh
rating, and carry a spare charged set with the GPS at all times. Get a
charger to fit in the car, so that you can recharge quickly.

| I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
| skills are excellent ;-)

In that case you do not need a Memory Map, you only need gps for when you
get lost, in mist/fog etc, so an Etrex a map and roamer will be OK.

| SO what do you recommend?

Etrex is cheap.

--
Dave F

In message <[email hidden]>

Dave Fawthrop said:

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:04:57 +0000, Dewi
<[email hidden]> wrote:

| A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
| What I need to do is hint which one.
|
| So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.
|
| I would like to use it with Memory Map.
| Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.

AA rechargables are commonly available. Buy the ones with the biggest MAh
rating, and carry a spare charged set with the GPS at all times. Get a
charger to fit in the car, so that you can recharge quickly.

| I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
| skills are excellent ;-)

In that case you do not need a Memory Map, you only need gps for when you
get lost, in mist/fog etc, so an Etrex a map and roamer will be OK.

| SO what do you recommend?

Etrex is cheap.

I'd put in a recommendation for the Garmin Geko 201 [*] as a good
alternative to the Etrex. It uses AAA rather than AA but fully charged
800mAh cells will give you over 6 hours continuous use. It is lighter
and smaller than the Etrex, and the software is superior to the basic
Etrex.

[*] But steer clear of the Geko 101 as this is a severly limited model
with no ability to connect to a PC and with cut down software.

--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"

Quoted message said:

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

Recent edition of Field & Trek magazine is advertising the Garmin Etrex for
99 pounds. Use the same model and I find although bottom of the range, it
still provides the functions I would ever require. (I think!) I load
routes from Anquet and download Tracks to the PC. As you say, like me, it
is a back-up/confidence check to the trusty map & compass.

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'

Dave Fawthrop said:

| I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
| skills are excellent ;-)

In that case you do not need a Memory Map, you only need gps for when you
get lost, in mist/fog etc, so an Etrex a map and roamer will be OK.

But recording a track and overlaying it on top of the map in Memory
Map is fun. You see your route in a different light and, perish the
thought, if you /had/ become a little disoriented you can use the
track log to figure out what went wrong.

Quoted message said:

| SO what do you recommend?

Etrex is cheap.

I love my Etrex (cheapo yellow one. Bought online and saved many
quids)

Judith

"sandy saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

Recent edition of Field & Trek magazine is advertising the Garmin Etrex
for 99 pounds. Use the same model and I find although bottom of the
range, it still provides the functions I would ever require. (I think!)
I load routes from Anquet and download Tracks to the PC. As you say, like
me, it is a back-up/confidence check to the trusty map & compass.

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'

I use a Garmin MAP 76S and find this excellent. Has on board maps as well
although they are not fantastically accurate at high magnification. Easy to
read and with AA batts lasts all day switch on.
HTH

Brian

sandy saunders said:

Quoted message said:

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

Recent edition of Field & Trek magazine is advertising the Garmin Etrex for
99 pounds.

Basic yellow etrex is £85 from GPS Warehose (who seem pretty
competitive) http://www.gpsw.co.uk/cats/cl3_23.html
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

"I'd put in a recommendation for the Garmin Geko 201...."

As long as you don't require colour on-screen mapping the Geko 201
can't be beaten IMHO.

In message <[email hidden]>

Quoted post said:

"I'd put in a recommendation for the Garmin Geko 201...."

As long as you don't require colour on-screen mapping the Geko 201
can't be beaten IMHO.

Although I recommended the Geko 201 to the original poster of this
thread, if you're going to change the specification of the requirements
I'd point out that my favoured choice is for the Geko 301 (which
includes electronic compass and barometric altimeter).

--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"

sandy saunders said:

Quoted message said:

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

Recent edition of Field & Trek magazine is advertising the Garmin
Etrex for 99 pounds. Use the same model and I find although bottom
of the range, it still provides the functions I would ever require.

A quick search of online suppliers will reveal the Garmin Etrex Venture
model for around £115. Does all that the basic yellow does, and a bit more,
and comes with the PC interface cable included (which lots of shops charge
another £25 if you've got the basic yellow model).
For the enthusiastic PC-literate person there are free POI databases with UK
OS trig-points and Munros summits and tops data, though you'll have to
google around for them.

Nowt wrong with the basic model, but others might be more cost-effective.

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

I bought a Garmin Vista about a year ago and love it. I bought it for
it's ability to store a large number of trackpoints, rather than it's
built in map, although that has come in handly sometimes when on train
or car journeys when I wanted to know what towns I was near. I don't
see the colour version as being much of an improvement unless it's
easier to read or if the batteries last longer. It takes two AA
batteries so it's easy to carry replacements. I'd also recommend
looking for a GPS that can survive a drop or a good ducking; I've
dropped mine onto stone from shoulder height, and it's had plenty of
rain drenching, and it's still fine (and it can survive 1 meter under
water for 30mins too I believe). It also kept working through a climb
where temperatures dropped to -20 C and everything else including the
water in my pack froze. I got it from www.gps4less.co.uk who did quite
a good deal compared to the other suppliers in the UK, and they sent
out anther protective holder with no complaint after I found the first
one had a scratch on the clear panel. They didn't want the first one
back either, so now I have two! I'd recommend that for hiking you buy
a specialist GPS like those from Garmin and Magellan rather than the
general purpose PDA based ones as the proper ones will take a much
harder beating.

"Dewi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
What I need to do is hint which one.

So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.

I would like to use it with Memory Map.
Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.
I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
skills are excellent ;-)

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

I got my Geko 201 from here 1 year ago and it was definately the cheapest I
found. Also It is now £22 cheaper than it was last year.

http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/allprods.php?category_id=57&PHPSES
SID=58fe16a69605c04b137ef186fcaf5b14

Rory

Dewi <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
What I need to do is hint which one.

So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.

I would like to use it with Memory Map.
Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.
I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
skills are excellent ;-)

SO what do you recommend?
Where do you know is cheap to buy?

thanks.

--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)

I'm more than happy with my Garmin Geko 201.

It does use AAA cells though. I have never had to replace cells on a day
walk. I use NiMHs on mine. £91.84 from http://www.gpsw.co.uk

--
Brian

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

Hi Dewi

If you get a copy of Feb 2005 Trail magazine you'll find a good review of a
range of decent GPS's.

Trail review is OK, but recommended the Vista C when for most people IMO
the Legend C is probably a better (& cheaper) option unless the
barometric capability is really needed.
--
Darren
mail to darren not ng

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:12:10 GMT, "M15t3r M4g1c" <[email hidden]>
uttered:

Quoted message said:

Hi Dewi

If you get a copy of Feb 2005 Trail magazine you'll find a good review of a
range of decent GPS's.

Got it, bit disappointed in the selection reviewed.

Quoted message said:

Which ever one you decide on purchasing I recommend that you don't pay the
UK asking price but have a look around eBay and save yourself a fortune.

BTW that's what I did and ended up with a very useful Magellan eXplorist 100
and saved over £70.00 of the UK asking price

Good tip, thanks.>

--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)

On Wed, 2 Feb 2005 23:26:59 -0000, Tim Jackson
<[email hidden]> uttered:

Quoted message said:

Dewi wrote on Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:04:57 +0000....

Quoted message said:

Where do you know is cheap to buy?

When I bought mine recently, the cheapest was
http://www.sportextreme.com/pq823/

This is in Denmark. Beware that although they quote in pounds, they
eventually charge you in euros. So what you actually pay depends on
the exchange rate on the day, and whether your credit card loads the
exchange rate (most do so by typically 2.75%). However, I had no
problems with ordering, delivery etc, and it was still the cheapest
deal for the model I wanted.

Cheap places I found in the UK but didn't use:
http://www.tracklogs.co.uk/cgi-bin/publ/user.cgi
http://www.gpsw.co.uk/cats/cl2_1.html
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/
http://www.expansys.com/d_gps.asp

thanks
--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)

On Thu, 03 Feb 2005 08:31:00 +0000, Dave Fawthrop
<[email hidden]> uttered:

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:04:57 +0000, Dewi
<[email hidden]> wrote:

| A nice person has hinted that they will buy me a GPS for my birthday.
| What I need to do is hint which one.
|
| So I'm asking you who have a recommendation.
|
| I would like to use it with Memory Map.
| Would like AA batteries as well as rechargeable's.

AA rechargables are commonly available. Buy the ones with the biggest MAh
rating, and carry a spare charged set with the GPS at all times. Get a
charger to fit in the car, so that you can recharge quickly.

Good tip, thanks.

Quoted message said:

| I don't need a lot of features, since my traditional Map and Compass
| skills are excellent ;-)

In that case you do not need a Memory Map, you only need gps for when you
get lost, in mist/fog etc, so an Etrex a map and roamer will be OK.

I would like to plot in my route after or maybe before ;-)

Quoted message said:

| SO what do you recommend?

Etrex is cheap.

Cheers.

--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)

On Thu, 03 Feb 2005 12:04:30 GMT, Mike Clark <[email hidden]> uttered:

Quoted message said:

I'd put in a recommendation for the Garmin Geko 201 [*] as a good
alternative to the Etrex. It uses AAA rather than AA but fully charged
800mAh cells will give you over 6 hours continuous use. It is lighter
and smaller than the Etrex, and the software is superior to the basic
Etrex.

201 is on my list now.

Quoted message said:

[*] But steer clear of the Geko 101 as this is a severly limited model
with no ability to connect to a PC and with cut down software.

--
Dewi,

(remove spin for email)