GPS for walking - which one?

apasher · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 2

Hello all (Hi Steve thanks for the link)

Ive placed an order for a Garmin eTrex at expansys with a cigarette power lead.

I now realise that this unit has no proper compass on it which I would like to use for hill walking. I have plenty of time to cancel the order.

What Im looking for is a basic GPS that will give me a grid ref and compass for map navigation. Bells and whistles are not needed. The Garmin units look ruggid and what Im looking for so.......

The question is - Are the Garmins good enough since the price seems good for what you get so which one should I go for if the basic one isnt quit what I want. Do you realy need to spend £20+ for the cables!!! this seems to be where they make the money. Are the connectors universal?
Any pointers as to where to get them from would be helpfull also.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Andrew

So wadda yah fink??

revhigh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 13

It depends on which eTrex you get. I have the eTrex vista and it has grid reference, map storage, barometric sensor and an electronic compas. I use it for hiking. Most of the lower end (low cost) GPS units have a compas that only works while you are moving, the eTrex vista and some others have a full time compass.

revhigh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 13

Oh, and another great thing about the eTrax line is that they are small and light.

Another one you should check out (from Garmin) is the Geko 301. It has an electronic compas, barometric sensor, grid reference, and is smaller than the eTrex line.

BBB · Regular Visitor Joined: Feb 24, 2004 Posts: 206

an ordinary compass costs about a tenner, usually needs no batteries, they tend to be not too large with the overall size depending upon the info pressed into the surrounding stuff.

in many ways they are well, you know ...

apasher · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 2

I agree BBB and will always carry and use the trad method but thought a unit that tells me my position and orientation combined with a paper map would be a very sensible safety device.

Ive taken a look at the Etrex Summit and sounds the one for me.

The only thing remaining now it the price of cable!!!! Shurely you can get the power cables for both mains and 12v from a mobile phone shop for a fiver? Are the Garmin connectors so unique that you have to spend so much money on a bit of cable?

A

DavidW · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 7:09 pm Post subject:

Check out PC Mobile's cables at http://www.pc-mobile.net

They have a very good reputation in these forums, with many satisfied customers, and post here themselves. If I was after cables for a handheld GPS, I'd go straight to them.

David

BBB · Regular Visitor Joined: Feb 24, 2004 Posts: 206

Ladies and Gentlemen

I humbly submit for your perusal and pleasure

tah-da-da-da-daaahh

http://trl.trimble.com/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-164267

I believe this may be a little bit of something special

Perhaps a review may be in order?

BBB

BBB · Regular Visitor Joined: Feb 24, 2004 Posts: 206

erm and this one too?

http://www.trimble.com/recon_mgis_gps.html

BBB

Will · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 09, 2003 Posts: 44

On the subject of hill walking, I'm still looking and waiting for some PocketPC software that replicates what an etrex does. I.e. I start off from the car, and set a waypoint <click>. Reach a viewpoint and <click>. Either carry on walking, or go back to the car without worrying about what route I took - I can just follow the arrow on the screen. Not interested in topo maps or anything...just a clear, simple view with optional compass, elevation etc. Can't be that hard can it?

Rant over

Will

oddsock · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject:

This is an interesting site for cables complete or Diy.. Have not checked prices though http://www.pfranc.co.uk/

dave

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