GPS advice please!

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ssnowman
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 1:38 pm
Location: London

GPS advice please!

Post by ssnowman »

I'm looking for advice on what GPS to get.

I've never used one before, and just want something simple, no HRM etc. Must be easy to use!

Would prefer replaceable batteries and decent size colour screen.

Do they come with OS type mapping or can I download this separately?

I'm not looking for the latest model and will possibly buy an older cheaper model or secondhand.

Thanks
May satan walk with you
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whitestone
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Re: GPS advice please!

Post by whitestone »

In increasing cost and features: Garmin Etrex 20; Etrex 30; Dakota; Oregon; Montana. There's also the Wahoo devices but I've no experience of those so don't know if they take repleacable batteries.

Unless you buy a bundled set of maps, OS maps require a further purchase but there are also the free OSM maps which are available for many (all) countries not just the UK.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
BobCatMax
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Re: GPS advice please!

Post by BobCatMax »

I just picked up a Garmin eTrex Legend for pennies (well, £25) Not many bells, not many whistles but lasts for ages..up to 30 hours on a single pair of AA lithiums

Still not quite got to grips with it (mainly using pre mapped routes) but I haven't spent much time reading up yet, just logging some rides
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Asposium
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Location: Southampton

Re: GPS advice please!

Post by Asposium »

ssnowman wrote:I'm looking for advice on what GPS to get.

I've never used one before, and just want something simple, no HRM etc. Must be easy to use!

Would prefer replaceable batteries and decent size colour screen.

Do they come with OS type mapping or can I download this separately?

I'm not looking for the latest model and will possibly buy an older cheaper model or secondhand.

Thanks
Recently purchased a Garmin Oregon 700
Hiking GPS, so can be used for, well, hiking.
Will also pair with Garmin heart rate chest strap, cadence sensor, and temperature sensor.
Pairs with phone via bluetooth, and with Garmin Connect (*)
Seems a good compromise of everything.

No mapping, unless bought as a bundle.
Has a microSD card slot, so ability to add one's own maps.


(*) haven't tested this yet; however, Garmin Connect could make for a very useful route backup.
Save route on Garmin Connect as a course
Then, if Garmin needs to be reset (it is a Garmin after all, the software is utter poor show) the route can be reloaded from a connected phone
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: GPS advice please!

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

As someone with no interest in the latest and seemingly greatest gps, my advice would be to look for a SH Dakota 20. Once purchased, visit ioffer.com and buy a 'Garmin' micro sd card with OS maps on - it'll be about £35. I use 1:50k and it's generally fine and contains enough detail ... that lot will do all you ask and more, should you wish.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Lazarus
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Re: GPS advice please!

Post by Lazarus »

with the ioffer "garmin" maps we found that you could copy the file over and over again on to multiple memory cards

That said I agree with what scots route said [ on another thread] that OS are often too cluttered to be useful and sometimes it better to just have open source mapping- less can be more.
I have both on a 8gb memory card [ the maximum for an etrex 20 iirc] and its dead easy to swap between the two
Asposium
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Re: GPS advice please!

Post by Asposium »

Lazarus wrote:with the ioffer "garmin" maps we found that you could copy the file over and over again on to multiple memory cards
Sounds like a pirate copy then.
Sure genuine Garmin OS maps are locked to the card.
Though an app does exist on the web to create a key to crack the encryption
ssnowman
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 1:38 pm
Location: London

Re: GPS advice please!

Post by ssnowman »

Thanks guys.

That gives me plenty to get started on with some research!
May satan walk with you
ssnowman
Posts: 497
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Location: London

Re: GPS advice please!

Post by ssnowman »

Have bought a Dakota 20 off ebay. I'll probably have a few stupid questions in the next week or so :???:
May satan walk with you
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