gps

In article <[email hidden]>, mas <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

Firstly make sure you spend your money at a place that gives good value
(i.e. not the usual outdoor shops unless you get a very good deal) e.g gpsw.co.uk.gpsw.co.uk.Open ↗

Secondly don't go for the older lines of receivers such as the Garmin eTrex series as there is not
likely to be much ongoing development.

Thirdly don't worry about uploadable maps as (a) the maps cost money too
(j) the current generation are of almost no use to a hiker (but to be fair you may find yourself
using a map receiver in the car)

Fourthly make sure you get a receiver that can connect to a PC (e.g. NOT the Garmin Geko 101) as you
can transfer information both ways and the unit's software can be updated. Beware though that a
cable will cost you extra (manufacturers cables are expensive but 3rd parties can supply cheaper
alternatives e.g. lynks.co.uklynks.co.ukOpen ↗ for Garmin)

In your price range (at gpsw.co.uk) I would recommend, in order of ascending price, the Garmin Geko
201, Garmin GPS 72 or Magellan Sport Trak.

You can see those receivers here:

gpsw.co.ukcl3 23.htmlOpen ↗

and review their specifications by clicking on their images. Carefully compare their specifications
to see what may suit your expected use best and feel free to ask any questions here.

--

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

mas said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? 100-150 to spend.

Lots of useful information and reviews on:

gpsinformation.netgpsinformation.netOpen ↗

Consider Garmin Geko 201 (the cheaper one has no computer interface cable), specifically designed
for economy and hiking, and good feature set for the money.

Also consider getting a 2nd hand model, almost anything. These are complicated devices and you
probably won't really appreciate what you really want from one until after several months of playing
with one. They all do the really important thing, telling you where you are in map co-ordinates, and
in relation to a destination position, very well. They differ greatly in frills.

--
Chris Malcolm [email hidden] +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
["]http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

mas said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

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As reported before, Straples Office Supplies are selling yellow Etrex at £65. I don't like the Geko
because its display is even smaller. Dave Williams

In article <[email hidden]>, [email protected] writes

Quoted message said:

mas said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

As reported before, Straples Office Supplies are selling yellow Etrex at £65. I don't like the Geko
because its display is even smaller. Dave Williams

Unfortunately the basic eTrex has a much poorer software feature set (and it is highly unlike to
change as the product is near the end of its life - hence the low price).

If I were concerned about the screen size of the Geko I would go for a GPS 72.

--

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, mas <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

Firstly make sure you spend your money at a place that gives good value
(i.e. not the usual outdoor shops unless you get a very good deal) e.g gpsw.co.uk.gpsw.co.uk.Open ↗

Secondly don't go for the older lines of receivers such as the Garmin eTrex series as there is not
likely to be much ongoing development.

Thirdly don't worry about uploadable maps as (a) the maps cost money too
(b) the current generation are of almost no use to a hiker (but to be fair you may find yourself
using a map receiver in the car)

I find UK Roads and Recreation quite useful to have loaded for car use and to relate the walk to any
nearby roads can be handy, if only to avoid them.

Quoted message said:

Fourthly make sure you get a receiver that can connect to a PC (e.g. NOT the Garmin Geko 101) as
you can transfer information both ways and the unit's software can be updated. Beware though that a
cable will cost you extra (manufacturers cables are expensive but 3rd parties can supply cheaper
alternatives e.g. lynks.co.uklynks.co.ukOpen ↗ for Garmin)

The Vista I have came complete with cable, but it is above Mason's price limit. It is such an
improvement of the Etrex Summit (I have both) that I agree with Dominic, the new generation makes
Etrex redundant, but still usable, of course.

Quoted message said:

In your price range (at gpsw.co.uk) I would recommend, in order of ascending price, the Garmin Geko
201, Garmin GPS 72 or Magellan Sport Trak.

You can see those receivers here:

gpsw.co.ukcl3 23.htmlOpen ↗

and review their specifications by clicking on their images. Carefully compare their specifications
to see what may suit your expected use best and feel free to ask any questions here.

--
Gordon

Thanks for all the info it looks like iI will be purchasing a gps72 or sportrax, can we decide?
gpsuk looks good for the sale. once again many thanks, Mason.

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, mas <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

Firstly make sure you spend your money at a place that gives good value
(i.e. not the usual outdoor shops unless you get a very good deal) e.g gpsw.co.uk.gpsw.co.uk.Open ↗

Secondly don't go for the older lines of receivers such as the Garmin eTrex series as there is not
likely to be much ongoing development.

Thirdly don't worry about uploadable maps as (a) the maps cost money too
(b) the current generation are of almost no use to a hiker (but to be fair you may find yourself
using a map receiver in the car)

Fourthly make sure you get a receiver that can connect to a PC (e.g. NOT the Garmin Geko 101) as
you can transfer information both ways and the unit's software can be updated. Beware though that
a cable will cost you extra (manufacturers cables are expensive but 3rd parties can supply cheaper
alternatives e.g. lynks.co.uklynks.co.ukOpen ↗ for Garmin)

In your price range (at gpsw.co.uk) I would recommend, in order of ascending price, the Garmin
Geko 201, Garmin GPS 72 or Magellan Sport Trak.

You can see those receivers here:

gpsw.co.ukcl3 23.htmlOpen ↗

and review their specifications by clicking on their images. Carefully compare their
specifications to see what may suit your expected use best and feel free to ask any
questions here.

--

Quoted message said:

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

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"Gordon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

The Vista I have came complete with cable, but it is above Mason's price limit. It is such an
improvement of the Etrex Summit (I have both) that I agree with Dominic, the new generation makes
Etrex redundant,

I wouldn't go that far.

Quoted message said:

but still usable, of course.

Oh you haven't :-)

KRO

In article <[email hidden]>, mas <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the info it looks like iI will be purchasing a gps72 or sportrax, can we decide?

I would recommend going to a shop that has both so that you can compare them and go for whichever
you prefer.

In terms of features they seem pretty similar. You may find the Garmin's keys above the screen more
convenient or prefer the Magellan's keys below the screen.

--

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

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

Quoted message said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

There are other manufacturers but to find the best "Garmin" go to
garmin.comcomparison.jspOpen ↗ . I use the etrex Summit and has been pointed out
here this is last years model, which Garmin to all and intents and purposes do not intend to
support. Newer models, including the Geko range (301 is the one you *want*) and the Vista start off
with improved features and Garmin will support them as they're the ones they're trying to sell.
This means you should get the older models for cheaper, so they're still worth looking at. Make
sure you get a GPS which is PC-compatible, you may not need to hook it up at the moment but it's
good to have the option later on (a cable costs £5-15). The software debate is still raging, but
you're talking about Anquet, MemoryMap, GPSU among others, again this is for later, I recommend
using all your budget to get the best GPS. You can still (laboriously) input routes and waypoints
manually, and it will still tell you where you are and where to go. FWIW the Summit I'm using has
fallen behind by virtue of two main points, it can only use 50 waypoints per route, newer makes can
use 125, it can only record 3000 trackpoints (where you've *been*), newer makes storing up to
10,000. It's still good at what it does and I'm not intending to upgrade, however I still wish
Garmin would support the older GPS makes in the future. Searching for prices is not difficult, the
link quoted gpsw.co.uk.gpsw.co.uk.Open ↗ above is where I purchased my GPS and the prices here are worth
looking at as well : globalpositioningsystems.co.ukallprods.phpOpen ↗ Let us
know how you get on.

KRO

With the exchange rate as it is you might consider buying from the US off eBay. I bought a new
warrantied Magellan Meriplat from a Magellan reseller for £140 and it only came to £185 including
P&P and duty. Changing the basemap is not a problem.

Jon

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

Hello all, can anyone recomend a gps handheld for hiking? £100-£150 to spend. cheers Mason.

There are other manufacturers but to find the best "Garmin" go to
garmin.comcomparison.jspOpen ↗ . I use the etrex Summit and has been pointed out
here this is last years model, which Garmin to all and intents and purposes do not intend to
support. Newer models, including the Geko range (301 is the one you *want*) and the Vista start
off with improved features and Garmin will support them as they're the ones they're trying to
sell. This means you should get the older models for cheaper, so they're still worth looking at.
Make sure you get a GPS which is PC-compatible, you may not need to hook it up at the moment but
it's good to have the option later on (a cable costs £5-15). The software debate is still raging,
but you're talking about Anquet, MemoryMap, GPSU among others, again this is for later, I
recommend using all your budget to get the best GPS. You can still (laboriously) input routes and
waypoints manually, and it will still tell you where you are and where to go. FWIW the Summit I'm
using has fallen behind by virtue of two main points, it can only use 50 waypoints per route,
newer makes can use 125, it can only record 3000 trackpoints (where you've *been*), newer makes
storing up to 10,000. It's still good at what it does and I'm not intending to upgrade, however I
still wish Garmin would support the older GPS makes in the future. Searching for prices is not
difficult, the link quoted gpsw.co.uk.gpsw.co.uk.Open ↗ above is where I purchased my GPS and the
prices here are worth looking at as well :
globalpositioningsystems.co.ukallprods.phpOpen ↗ Let us know how you get on.

KRO

KRO <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

FWIW the Summit I'm using has fallen behind by virtue of two main points, it can only use 50
waypoints per route, newer makes can use 125, it can only record 3000 trackpoints (where you've
*been*), newer makes storing up to 10,000.

After a year or two using the Summit, and a couple of months with the Vista, the clear difference in
tracking is that the algorithm for plotting trackpoints *appears* superior in the Vista.

Even on AUTO, and with the choice of frequency at MOST, the Vista plots less than half the number
used by the Summit over the same walk, without losing any accuracy in following the route. In fact,
I believe it produces a more accurate estimate of distance travelled. This is commonly greater than
the distance shown on the TRIP counter, as others have commented. (I haven't checked the degree of
over estimate compared with what the trip counter gives, that will be another exercise).

The Vista also appears to be more frugal than the Summit in producing random 'movements' in the
track whilst stationary, provided, as Chris has often pointed out, good satellite reception is
maintained.
--
Gordon

JRS <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

With the exchange rate as it is you might consider buying from the US off eBay. I bought a new
warrantied Magellan Meriplat from a Magellan reseller for £140 and it only came to £185 including
P&P and duty. Changing the basemap is not a problem.

Jon

Surely not the basemap? The user-loaded map can be changed, as I have done in the Vista,
purchased in the US, and containing still the US basemap, although I have loaded a selection of
UK Roads and Rec.

Or is there a means of downloading the European basemap from Garmin?
--
Gordon

"Gordon" <[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]... After a year or two using the
Summit, and a couple of months with the Vista, the clear difference in tracking is that the
algorithm for plotting trackpoints *appears* superior in the Vista.

Even on AUTO, and with the choice of frequency at MOST, the Vista plots less than half the number
used by the Summit over the same walk, without losing any accuracy in following the route. In
fact, I believe it produces a more accurate estimate of distance travelled. This is commonly
greater than the distance shown on the TRIP counter, as others have commented. (I haven't checked
the degree of over estimate compared with what the trip counter gives, that will be another
exercise).

The Vista also appears to be more frugal than the Summit in producing random 'movements' in the
track whilst stationary, provided, as Chris has often pointed out, good satellite reception is
maintained.
--
Gordon

I see what you're saying, my GPS doesn't like me standing still! I know when I download the track
into my PC it normally requires editting, that is taking out the points I certainly did not visit,
they are easy to spot, they're the ones where, according to the track log, while descending I've
shot 200m back up the hill over a stream and returned within 1 minute! After editing the distance
travelled equates to 400m less. What I've still to find out is if the above happens (at any
time/point during a walk) and I then want to use the trackback facility............... Guess my
next question?

KRO

The basemap on the Magellan Meridian devices can be changed.

Jon

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

Quoted message said:

JRS <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

With the exchange rate as it is you might consider buying from the US off eBay. I bought a new
warrantied Magellan Meriplat from a Magellan

reseller

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for £140 and it only came to £185 including P&P and duty. Changing the basemap is not a problem.

Jon

Surely not the basemap? The user-loaded map can be changed, as I have done in the Vista,
purchased in the US, and containing still the US basemap, although I have loaded a selection of
UK Roads and Rec.

Or is there a means of downloading the European basemap from Garmin?
--
Gordon

[email protected] said:

Quoted message said:

As reported before, Straples Office Supplies are selling yellow Etrex at £65. I don't like the
Geko because its display is even smaller.

Are they still selling it at that price. I went to the Leicester branch last Sunday and the
were £118.

Staff knew nothing of the price I had seen on u.r.w.

Thanks Phil

--
To reply remove the cork.

KRO <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I see what you're saying, my GPS doesn't like me standing still! I know when I download the track
into my PC it normally requires editting, that is taking out the points I certainly did not visit,
they are easy to spot, they're the ones where, according to the track log, while descending I've
shot 200m back up the hill over a stream and returned within 1 minute! After editing the distance
travelled equates to 400m less. What I've still to find out is if the above happens (at any
time/point during a walk) and I then want to use the trackback facility............... Guess my
next question?

I would expect it to work, because I have plotted tracks in OziExplorer, uploaded to the GPS, and
used it like I would use a route.

I have never had to use BackTrack though, I would just look at the map page, which is the one I
normally display anyway, and follow the 'snail- trail' I've laid.

Any 'saved' track can be navigated, in either direction I believe.
--
Gordon You assume total responsibility for taking any notice of my opinion or advice! (Para-phrasing
the second page of initialisation of the Vista)

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

Quoted message said:

The basemap on the Magellan Meridian devices can be changed.

Jon

Although they can be changed, and the necessary basemaps can be found on the web, Magellan have had
some files removed from Yahoo. Some of the difference in cost between US and Euro recievers is
explained by copyright fees, as the US tends to have copyright-free maps available, so swapping
basemaps isn't encouraged. This is especially true of Australia, who seem to have an incredibly
expensive basemap. The OS are perhaps not as restrictive as we sometimes feel!

I suspect Magellan might also be ready to announce topo maps for their receivers, which have not
previously been available in Britain. See the comment about them at the Boat Show
(wherefromhere.comnews list.aspOpen ↗) and also note that they'll be at the Outdoors Show in
April (listed as Thales Navigation).

I'm not sure whether I'd mae a buying choice based on these hints alone, but if you're willing to
pay the (probably huge) cost of these maps, it would be worth waiting to see what happens.

-adrian

Files have been removed from Yahoo but not from the European group which is where you would want to
get a basemap from. I am not advocating piracy, just adding to the options for the OP.

Jon

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

Quoted message said:

"JRS" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The basemap on the Magellan Meridian devices can be changed.

Jon

Although they can be changed, and the necessary basemaps can be found on the web, Magellan have
had some files removed from Yahoo. Some of the difference in cost between US and Euro recievers is
explained by copyright fees, as the US tends to have copyright-free maps available, so swapping
basemaps isn't encouraged. This is especially true of Australia, who seem to have an incredibly
expensive basemap. The OS are perhaps not as restrictive as we sometimes feel!

I suspect Magellan might also be ready to announce topo maps for their receivers, which have not
previously been available in Britain. See the comment about them at the Boat Show
(wherefromhere.comnews list.aspOpen ↗) and also note that they'll be at the Outdoors Show in
April (listed as Thales Navigation).

I'm not sure whether I'd mae a buying choice based on these hints alone, but if you're willing to
pay the (probably huge) cost of these maps, it would be worth waiting to see what happens.

-adrian

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email protected] writes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

As reported before, Straples Office Supplies are selling yellow Etrex at #65. I don't like the
Geko because its display is even smaller. Dave Williams

Quoted message said:

Unfortunately the basic eTrex has a much poorer software feature set (and it is highly unlike to
change as the product is near the end of its life - hence the low price).

Quoted message said:

If I were concerned about the screen size of the Geko I would go for a GPS 72.

I like the ruggedness of the non-mapping eTrexes (which don't have the protruding "click stick"😉.
They look and feel to me the most likely of all GPSRs I know to survive being dropped onto a rock,
bouncing off into a deep puddle, and then being stepped on by accident. The improved features of
later models are attractive, but if it came to a serious emergency like trying to stumble off some
mountain in freezing rain at night I know which model I'd prefer to be fumbling with my frozen
fingers :-)

I won't upgrade until someone wraps up the new improved features in a similarly rugged package.
--
Chris Malcolm [email hidden] +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
["]http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]