I've never used a GPS. What sort of information does it show you on the screen? The reason for asking is I'm wondering whether it's worth spending 7 quid a shot on OS maps or whether I would get just as much information from a GPS?
GPS question
- Thread starter boisdevie
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Depends what you get. I've got an old fashioned Garmin etrex that pretty much just points which direction you next waypoint is,the distance, time , bearing etc.
Then you can go all the way up to the Garmin colorado or the Satmap which will show an actual map and where you are on it . The more you pay the more you will see.
No matter which GPS you have, a map and compass is absolutely totally required as well, GPS units can do and will fail from time to time. GPS only is a big no no.
Then you can go all the way up to the Garmin colorado or the Satmap which will show an actual map and where you are on it . The more you pay the more you will see.
No matter which GPS you have, a map and compass is absolutely totally required as well, GPS units can do and will fail from time to time. GPS only is a big no no.
Hiya bois good question.
I have an old etrex this is very basis, you can plot routes into it via waypoints (grid refs) and store a route to follow. it gives you a direction of tavel arrow and will track your movements for later analysis. This one I think is basic and fairly bombproof and is great to use alongside a map and compass. A good example of this would be a while ago i was up in the fells when the clagg came down we wanted an escape route but didnt know how far along the ridge we where the etrex gave me a grid ref fix and i could navigate form there with compass again.
Flip side I have a Satmap which I won in a comp its very good I have all the national parks on one sd card. Its easy to use to plot routes etc gives you your position on the map real time. direction of travel indicator etc etc. BUT poor battery life. they now have brought out a lithium ion pack for about £50. I am not sure I would splasjh out on the satmap as the etrex does what it needs to do. Anyway I still like my maps and me old compass better .
GPS does have its place though in my gear just for the intstance above.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Oh and i uses anquet map software too which i do find very useful and it works well with gps for planning routes etc for back up.
I have an old etrex this is very basis, you can plot routes into it via waypoints (grid refs) and store a route to follow. it gives you a direction of tavel arrow and will track your movements for later analysis. This one I think is basic and fairly bombproof and is great to use alongside a map and compass. A good example of this would be a while ago i was up in the fells when the clagg came down we wanted an escape route but didnt know how far along the ridge we where the etrex gave me a grid ref fix and i could navigate form there with compass again.
Flip side I have a Satmap which I won in a comp its very good I have all the national parks on one sd card. Its easy to use to plot routes etc gives you your position on the map real time. direction of travel indicator etc etc. BUT poor battery life. they now have brought out a lithium ion pack for about £50. I am not sure I would splasjh out on the satmap as the etrex does what it needs to do. Anyway I still like my maps and me old compass better .
GPS does have its place though in my gear just for the intstance above.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Oh and i uses anquet map software too which i do find very useful and it works well with gps for planning routes etc for back up.
I have a Garmin 60csx. The topo maps cost extra but are worth it. Of course mine is the US version and I am not sure if there are topo maps for UK but I would think there would be. The 60 is a great model for geocaching as well as hiking. It also shows roads and such but is very crude to use as a vehicle navigation compared to models that are made for that. I also have a Garmin Zumo for the motorcycle and it is of no use for hiking navigation so pick a model based on it's intended use and know that any other use will be a compromise at best.
I'm the same as Scrogger - plan the route in Anquet, upload a few key waypoints to a basic Magellan GPS, and then stick to map and compass. GPS only gets used when the fog comes down, or we're on a particularly featureless piece of moor... a quick grid ref to anchor yourself to the map, and then crack on again with the map and compass.
Most of the time it doesn't get switched on but it's nice to have in my pack.
Most of the time it doesn't get switched on but it's nice to have in my pack.
Hi Boisedevie
I would have to say u can't beat the old map and compass.
I have a old Garmin extrex which really olny points the way.
I was told a long time ago a GPS is only an aid to map reading.
They have come a long way in recent years but i still wouldn't venture
out on to the hills without my map and compass. So i would say buy both.
Bob
I would have to say u can't beat the old map and compass.
I have a old Garmin extrex which really olny points the way.
I was told a long time ago a GPS is only an aid to map reading.
They have come a long way in recent years but i still wouldn't venture
out on to the hills without my map and compass. So i would say buy both.
Bob
still do that nowhit delete instead of go to
Now that's just user error
I stuffed mine into a leg pocket and the next time I took it out "Reset to factory defaults" was highlighted on the screen. Oops, good thing was we were almost back to the cars so it was no headache really, could've been worse though I suppose.
Now that's just user error
I stuffed mine into a leg pocket and the next time I took it out "Reset to factory defaults" was highlighted on the screen. Oops, good thing was we were almost back to the cars so it was no headache really, could've been worse though I suppose.
that why i have mine strapped to my bag
never managed to reset to factory.... (bet i manage to this weekend)
I once spent 15 mins on top of a mountain arguing that we should be 60-70m further on based on the GPS reading. This was in spite of the sheer cliff blocking our path. 
I'd left it set to "nautical" from a sailing trip round Anglesea, which throws the distances out by several metres when you get back on land
I'd left it set to "nautical" from a sailing trip round Anglesea, which throws the distances out by several metres when you get back on land
lol the joys of modern technology huh. Imagine my displeasure after I spent a while plotting a 3 day backpack into the sat map. Arrived at destination and set off it was perfect visibility so no need really I just wanted to see how it works and after about 5 mins the battery failed!!!! I think it had been on for about a total of an hour. Anyway I didnt want to use my back up batteries so thought stuff it stick with map and compass.
It looks like I will have to shell out 45 to 50 quid for a lithium ion to get upto 14 hours ish form a charge.
What to do??
It looks like I will have to shell out 45 to 50 quid for a lithium ion to get upto 14 hours ish form a charge.
What to do??
Without me googling it Andy, how does the sat map work ?
Is it 1:25k maps but also showing your position and usual GPS info ? Are the maps pre-installed ?
The maps are on sd cards Rich which are interchangable mine are 1:50 but you can get 1:25 aswell and yes it basically shows a section of the os map with a circle for your position you can then zoom in and out and actually plan or alter routes form it there and then. I would say it would come into its own if you were clagged in and needed an escape route you could fix it and set a go to and away you go. Maybe a bit quicker than getting you map out on a wind ravaged hill but I dont know yet how much Iwould trust it ...lol then again I argue with the sat nav in the car and im usually wrong with that!!!
