theo said:Hello fellow urw-readers,
can anyone give me advise which method to use for walking and scrambling in the Lakedistrict and
the Highlands ? I've never used a GPS before and I would like to use a PDA or PocketPC with the new
cd-roms from Anquet.
A. A PDA connected with cable to a Garmin or Magellan GPS (supported by Anquet)
B. A PDA Bluetooth with a Garmin or Magellan Bluetooth GPS (expensive but you can keep the GPS in
your pockets)
C. A PDA with built-in GPS (like the Garmin iQue 3600, even more expensive)
Is it possible to see, step-by-step, where you are while walking ? It would come in handy during a
white out or after sunset.
Thanks for your advise (and funny comments),
Most PDAs are not particularly waterproof and will suffer if you try and use them in typical UK
walking weather. Another drawback is the limited battery life if you use the PDA to run the GPS. It
may seem like a good idea to have your map on the PDA but in real life (TM) it is far better to have
a paper map (in a waterproof case) since most PDA screens will be limited to about 2x3 km at a
readable scale. My personal solution is to use a paper map and a hand held GPS. You can easily
transfer the reading from the GPS to the map. The problem with this solution is that you can't
easily add a waypoint on the fly.
I like to keep a track of where I have walked so I use the GPS in always on mode (you get a better
fix this way in any case) and record my wanderings in the track log. At the end of the day I
download the track to my computer, or if I am away from home to my PDA. The PDA doesn't perform any
function on a walk other than a store of useful information, if I need it, and sits with my mobile
in a waterproof bag in my rucksack.
Of course all of these electrical gizmos start with freshly charged batteries and there will always
be spares for the GPS in my sac and a compass in my pocket.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"
