Which is best GPS?

[Tea & cake]

Didn't want to hijack Tinymans thread but leading on which GPS would anyone recommend?

I have started doing more stuff on my own up in the Lakes & whilst not too bad with a map & compass I would like the security of a GPS as backup. Main use would be for double checking a grid reference in poor vis. Making sure i'm where I think I am. Once sure of my location I would probably pace my way out on a compass bearing.

I've started to look a few times but i'm not right into gadgets & it all looks v confusing

[ZootHornRollo]

I was looking at the same thing for the same reasons and this is the one that keeps getting recommned - looks like it's the budget choice:

Garmin eTrex H

[IanDarkpeak]

Didn't want to hijack Tinymans thread but leading on which GPS would anyone recommend?

I have started doing more stuff on my own up in the Lakes & whilst not too bad with a map & compass I would like the security of a GPS as backup. Main use would be for double checking a grid reference in poor vis. Making sure i'm where I think I am. Once sure of my location I would probably pace my way out on a compass bearing.

I've started to look a few times but i'm not right into gadgets & it all looks v confusing

I guess it depends what you want to do with it.

If you just want your location then buy the cheapest and you won't go far wrong.

I use my for MR work as well as a back up in my pack. If you want to be able to download route etc. if you want it to do more then spend as much as you can afford

Mine also hads mapping software which means you can use it to see the lay of the land quite quickly.

Etrex Venture HC

[Baggins]

I guess it depends what you want to do with it.

If you just want your location then buy the cheapest and you won't go far wrong.

I use my for MR work as well as a back up in my pack. If you want to be able to download route etc. if you want it to do more then spend as much as you can afford

Mine also hads mapping software which means you can use it to see the lay of the land quite quickly.

Etrex Venture HC

Or get an etrex legend HCX

Cheaper, 25 hours battery life and you can install your own memory (1GB sd cards are about £3)

[Tea & cake]

Thanks for the info. Had a quick look at both. After talking to a few folk i'm tempted to go for a slightly better one. Will have a good look at yours IDP, price didn't look too bad to me.

I've already got memory map 1:25 for the Lakes on my PC, do you know if I would be able to load that onto it? Sorry for the dumb questions, not very technically minded

Thanks

[Tea & cake]

Thanks Baggins, will have a look at that one too

[tinyman]

No need to worry about hijacking my thread T+C. I backed off when the flak started flying about the principles and ethics of the whole GPS question. Be careful - it's a minefield out there!

[Fat Bloke]

As I've said on several threads in the last few months - if you want a GPS to give you an OS Grid Ref be careful which one you buy.

The 205/305 doesn't, for example, and I've just (quickly, mind!) checked the spec on the Etrex H and it doesn't say that it does (but as I said, I checked it quickly....).

Worth bearing in mind.

Just re-read the thread - on many of the units you cannot load maps (ie memory map) onto the unit itself, so another reason to work out what you want and understand what you're buying.

fb

[IanDarkpeak]

As I've said on several threads in the last few months - if you want a GPS to give you an OS Grid Ref be careful which one you buy.

The 205/305 doesn't, for example, and I've just (quickly, mind!) checked the spec on the Etrex H and it doesn't say that it does (but as I said, I checked it quickly....).

Worth bearing in mind.

Just re-read the thread - on many of the units you cannot load maps (ie memory map) onto the unit itself, so another reason to work out what you want and understand what you're buying.

fb

It's only the wrist devices that don't do OS GB, all the hand helds do

[overthecrowroad]

Some of the wrist devices show GB grid references. Both the Foretrex 201 and the one I'm currently using, the Foretrex 401 will give grid refs. The 401 is good as it runs on AAA batteries, can be used with routes from memory map, can be use with a heart rate monitor and can be used when stationary as it got a magnetic compass. However it won't show pace like the running versions do.