On Sun, 14 Mar 2004, muzz wrote:
> Haven't done much hillwalking for five or six years, kids
> intervened. Now I'm in a position to get back on the hill.
> I notice that GPS have become quite affordable now. Any
> advice on a decen=
t
> =A3100 quid model?
The main difference is mapping vs non-mapping. Mapping ones
can show your position overlayed on a map, non-mapping just
give co-ordinates. However the built-in maps for the UK
tend to be sparse with just major roads and are not useful
for walking.
The other consideration is to buy a multi-channel GPS, since
this enables it to get a satellite fix and hold onto them
easier than a multiplexing unit. As far as I know most units
these days are multi-channel, with 12 channels being the
most common and the most you need anyway. Multiplexing
receivers were more common a few years back, for example my
old Magellan GPS2000 was a two channel multiplexing model.
> Are they all compatible with the 1/50,000 OS
> landranger maps ?
The unit needs to support Ordnance Survey GB co-rdinates
and OSGB36
instead of just Lat/Lon, while the datum makes the actual
positioning in the field compatible with your position on
the OS map.
I bought an eTrex from
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/ for 95 quid inc
VAT and am very happy with it. This unit can interface with
your computer via a serial cable. I use third-party software
called GARtrip to download and analyse the tracks recorded
by the eTrex. That can show the actual track taken, plot
elevation against waypoint, show speeds, time of day you
were at each point, etc.
I'll have some example charts up later from the Grindleford
Gallop walk I did yesterday.
--=20 Chris