New to GPS - and would like advice

[RJSH1]

Hi all;

I am new to GPS, and this is my first adventure into Pocket GPS World.

I do not currently own a GPS handheld device. I would like to buy a PDA with integrated GPS to use with my Memory Map OS maps and software, and I am asking for suggestions of hardware to purchase.

It will be used for day hikes to walk on pre prepared routes, and to record walked tracks back onto the PC

I have been doing a lot of thinking, and I reckon that I need it to:

* Show Memory Map OS map displays on screen (and possibly aerial photography as well)
* Have a long enough battery life to last for a full day walk with tracking
* Have good satellite reception
* Be simple and intuitive
* Be rugged enough (perhaps with additional protection) to use outside
* Be easily connectable to the PC

I do not really need it:

* For in-car sat-nav
* For cycling
* To be the "latest model"
* To be a good PDA
* For other PDA type stuff, like MP3, Photos etc

Clearly the Mio, Acer, Garmin iQue are all options, but which one - or are there other more obscure but more suitable suggestions?

The reason that I am thinking of a PDA is that the requirement to show routes on OS maps on the GPS screen is the priority, and I cannot find any dedicated GPS that will do this. If there is one, then of course I would be very interested to hear . . .

Budget is clearly an issue - I was thinking of up to £200

What can other members suggest?

Thanks in advance

RJSH1

[mikealder]

I would take a look at the I-Mate PDA-n its a nice device and has a decent GPS receiver built in, I have used one of these devices over the past six months and it a nice unit for the price. If you want to consider a mobile phone with GPS built in this could be cheaper - take a look at the MDA Compact-III, its about the same size as the PDA-n and well worth consideration depending upon your current tariff situation.

You will not get any PDA to run for a full day without external support in the way of extra batteries or charger pack, these are available at extra cost.
You are right to identify phisical protection of the device when taking it out walking, one drop could prove costly, again outside the budget figures I would look at the Otter Box range of products (the I-Mate PDA-n fits quite easily within an Otter 1900) - for more details have a look at Memory Maps web site as they stock the Otter products - Mike

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