GPS ??????

[tassiehiker]

hi

i have been wanting to get a GPS for a while now and i have started to look... but dont really know what im looking at and what i will need???

if anyone can help out that would be great

[HitchHiking]

My good old Garmin etrex H has served me very well for near on 3 years now. I carry paper maps and then match up grid references with it. Ive seen them as low as 130 dollars at places. Good battery life. Water proof.

There are neat things coming out all the time but personaly I just want waypoints and Grid reference.

[tastrax]

Tell us a little more about how you want to use the GPS. For quick and dirty grid references you cant go past a simple Etrex H - if you want to load on extra maps etc then a Garmin 60CSX is great - if you want to add your own custom maps (from various sources) the the newer Garmin 62XXXXX models have a lot to offer.

Personally I haven't found the need for the "extras" offered by some of the newer GPS's so I will stick with my 60CSX for a while yet/

[Graham51]

I think it's best if you have USB interface with computer so you can download waypoints for a route and upload the routes you have walked. I have a Garmin 60 which has been good. Doesn't have inbuilt map capability but I figure they're too small to see poroperly anyway, especially as my eyes get older.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Tell us a little more about how you want to use the GPS. For quick and dirty grid references you cant go past a simple Etrex H - if you want to load on extra maps etc then a Garmin 60CSX is great - if you want to add your own custom maps (from various sources) the the newer Garmin 62XXXXX models have a lot to offer.

Personally I haven't found the need for the "extras" offered by some of the newer GPS's so I will stick with my 60CSX for a while yet/

+1

[DonQx]

Garmin is good, has the most free mapping available if that's of interest.

If you don't want a GPS with mapping ... eTrex base model is the way to go. Cheap, will tell you where you are, allows planned routes and recording your track as you go.

If you want maps on the GPS, then one of the other eTrex models would also be good. Light but has a fairly small screen. I haven't found that to be an issue, but have to get my glasses out to be able to read it.

60CX or 60CSX are another very popular choice. Larger screen, controls a bit easier to use, a bit heavier.

I've got both, eTrex Legend for walking, 60CX for motorcycle touring.

I'd go for a GPS with mapping. Whichever GPS with mapping you get, make sure it has external memory, ie. you can use a memory card in it.

[JamesMc]

You could always just get an iPhone. Apparently the GPS is reasonably sensitive. I have a Garmin eTrex. It works well, but is far from user friendly.


JamesMc

[marangaroo86]

Garmin is good, has the most free mapping available if that's of interest.

If you don't want a GPS with mapping ... eTrex base model is the way to go. Cheap, will tell you where you are, allows planned routes and recording your track as you go.

If you want maps on the GPS, then one of the other eTrex models would also be good. Light but has a fairly small screen. I haven't found that to be an issue, but have to get my glasses out to be able to read it.

60CX or 60CSX are another very popular choice. Larger screen, controls a bit easier to use, a bit heavier.

I've got both, eTrex Legend for walking, 60CX for motorcycle touring.

I'd go for a GPS with mapping. Whichever GPS with mapping you get, make sure it has external memory, ie. you can use a memory card in it.

Im old school map and compass, but have been looking at a GPS lately also.
DonQx why is a external memory so important ?
Would you just upload you maps via USB , has it to do with this size of the internal memory ?

[tasadam]

I have a Garmin eTrex. It works well, but is far from user friendly. JamesMc

I have the eTrex as well, I'm not sure what you mean by this comment.
I might use it to set a waypoint with, or to double check my navigation, but I don't need any installed maps, generally having laminated 1:25000 maps with me when needed.
I don't like the idea of relying on electronics but don't mind them as a backup. PLB fits into this category too, hope I never need it.

My thoughts are to ask yourself what you want to use a GPS for, then find a lightweight cheap option.

The newer GPS's do seem to work a whole lot better than older ones. H model in the eTrex I have heard works better under the trees, mine isn't so good with a forest canopy (being an earlier model).
The AA batteries are good because I can interchange them with my head torch if needed.

[tas-man]

You could always just get an iPhone. Apparently the GPS is reasonably sensitive. I have a Garmin eTrex. It works well, but is far from user friendly.

JamesMc

I have used MotionX GPS App on my iPhone 3GS and have experimented with it on day walks. http://gps.motionx.com/iphone/overview/ To do route tracking continuously, the battery lasts only 4-5 hours, so not a serious contender for extended walks. The apps are getting smarter with each update, and with tweaking of settings the battery life will no doubt be extended, but won't ever match that of a dedicated GPS unit. I have got a couple of additional battery packs that will double the life of the phone, but that only allows for a weekend trip use. Occasional use to get a GPS fix would be all that can be expected on extended trips with current iPhone technology. I will always carry paper maps and compass as well

[cixelsyd]

I use a garmin 550. I like cuz it uses AA batteries has a camera and the garmin maps are quite good.

[DonQx]

...
DonQx why is a external memory so important ?
Would you just upload you maps via USB , has it to do with this size of the internal memory ?

'tis more useful methinks.

Internal mememory is often on the small side.

External memory you can expand as need be. For example, the OzTopo mapset for all of Australia is more than 1.5 GB I think. And if you also want other mapsets with you, for example the free Australian 5m contours + the free Shonkymaps + maybe the free routable Openstreetmap set for all of Oz, then having loads of memory can be useful.

Also buying mapsets on card only is generally cheaper, and some mapsets are only available on card.

[DonQx]

I use a garmin 550. I like cuz it uses AA batteries has a camera and the garmin maps are quite good.

Can the 550 do tracks? (=record where you're going)

[PeterJ]

I bought the initial Etrex model when they hit the market, but when the Garmin models came out with good maps I thought it would be great to have one. Well I bought the Oregon 450 and find it really good. I also now make use of the Geocaching feature, which is a bit of fun.
The Oregon is real step up from the Etrex.

[selarch]

I have a Magellan Triton400, not happy had 2 issues of maps, not cheap, if you magnify the scale in national parks it shows no contours just green, I think one would know you are in a national park. Satellite pickup is slow though claimed otherwise. Eats up batteries.
By comparison on the South Coast I fished out of a mud hole (returned it to the owner later in Hobart) a Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx, I was impressed must have been fairly user friendly because the manual wasn't in the mud hole. Proven waterproof, mudproof! It didn't eat batteries, took AAs or rechargables. and had a barometer. The maps zoomed in and kept the contours.It picked up satellites fast. Made the magellan look like a tortoise .
For me a built in barometer is a useful piece of gear, you can tell what you are going to cop.
The owner of this Vista told me to check out a Garmin oregon 450T, but its power usage is higher, screen is probably better.
I haven't bought an Etrex Vista Hcx but may do so. I only use them as back up as I go solo, incase I have a brain embolisim with my orientation, its a reference point I can switch on.
I will see what my iPhone does in the West Mcdonnells , though battery life is its problem.

[photohiker]

I haven't bought an Etrex Vista Hcx but may do so. I only use them as back up as I go solo, incase I have a brain embolisim with my orientation, its a reference point I can switch on.
I will see what my iPhone does in the West Mcdonnells , though battery life is its problem.

I heard on the grapevine that the Vista Hcx is on the way out. If you're keen on this model, could be worth watching for specials.

The industry has generally moved on to larger screens and touch interfaces but the simple battery requirements and long life are stil hard to beat. I'm keeping mine.

[tas-man]

<snip>
I will see what my iPhone does in the West Mcdonnells , though battery life is its problem.

Have a look at this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=509#p36768

[vagrom]

Ditto: Garmin seems to stay up there as the bushwalkers friend and the good,old Etrex is still there as an excellent "entry level" model. The price of course,is so attractive. A lot of people have one so it's likely you'll get user help for it on this forum.

[cams]

I have a Magellan Triton400, not happy had 2 issues of maps, not cheap, if you magnify the scale in national parks it shows no contours just green, I think one would know you are in a national park. Satellite pickup is slow though claimed otherwise. Eats up batteries.
By comparison on the South Coast I fished out of a mud hole (returned it to the owner later in Hobart) a Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx, I was impressed must have been fairly user friendly because the manual wasn't in the mud hole. Proven waterproof, mudproof! It didn't eat batteries, took AAs or rechargables. and had a barometer. The maps zoomed in and kept the contours.It picked up satellites fast. Made the magellan look like a tortoise .
For me a built in barometer is a useful piece of gear, you can tell what you are going to cop.
The owner of this Vista told me to check out a Garmin oregon 450T, but its power usage is higher, screen is probably better.
I haven't bought an Etrex Vista Hcx but may do so. I only use them as back up as I go solo, incase I have a brain embolisim with my orientation, its a reference point I can switch on.
I will see what my iPhone does in the West Mcdonnells , though battery life is its problem.

I've got the Oregon450. I've been very happy with it so far. A few little quirks with the user interface but nothing too major. Battery life is ok for what it does.

I've actually considered in the past designing an ultralight basic logging GPS for those hikers that still mainly use map and compass but want something to track where they've been and maybe give them a raw coordinate to plot on a real map if they get really stuck. The electronics itself wouldn't be all that difficult but designing a case that is small, light and weather proof is the biggest stumbling block for me.

A few of the biggest things that I think could be improved over most of the major handheld GPS manufacturers with something like this is to improve battery life dramatically (compared to something with a big screen), improve on board memory capacity for logging and improve satellite reception. The big companies are slow to react to upgrades in technology so therefore they are usually at least one step behind the latest GPS modules available. Anyone an industrial designer with access to plastic molding?

[Greenie]

I ready to buy one of those ultralight basic logging GPS's. Happy to test it for you

[cixelsyd]

I use a garmin 550. I like cuz it uses AA batteries has a camera and the garmin maps are quite good.

Can the 550 do tracks? (=record where you're going)

Sorry for neglecting this thread/response...

Yes it can do tracks and routes. It comes with BaseCamp Software as well which enables you to do the tracks etc on your puter. I did have to buy two sets of maps though one for the device and one for the computer. I did feel "gouged".

All in all, I'm really happy with it.

[rsser]

Garmin Topo Aus V. 2 (dig mapset) is rubbish for bushwalkers or ski tourers.

V. 3 is out and it will have to be heaps better to justify the bikkies.

[sirius Tas]

Viewing the sample of Garmin Topo V3 which is all Tas.....rubbish also. Doesn't come close to the quality/detail that OZTOPO V3 has.
http://www.oztopo.com.au/
Cheers.

[Lindsay]

Yesterday I was browsing in JB Hi Fi and saw the Garmin Etrex for $140. I was not really interested in it or in any GPS but as I wandered off the sales bloke said he would let me have it for $120. What the hell, I thought and so I became the unexpected owner of a Garmin Etrex H. It isn't very user friendly however I'm slowly working it out. I may have to call for help at some stage from the more technically minded members!

I first used GPS when I was in the navy in the early 1980s. The display unit alone was the size of a microwave oven and came with a manual like a phone book. I never dreamed then that I would one day own a unit that would fit in my pocket!

[Lindsay]

OK, help needed already. When entering a waypoint using the UTM grid format, there is a 7 digit number for each coordinate. I have worked out that the last 5 digits correspond to the normal topo map grid ( with extra decimal places) and I assume the the first two numbers must somehow identify the actual map being used. However they are different for each coordinate and I am stuffed if I can find any reference as to A. what they really mean and B. how to find them on a topo map. Does anybody have the answer?

[BarryJ]

Check out the bottom LH corner of your map grid. You should find the extra digits shown there.

[Lindsay]

Check out the bottom LH corner of your map grid. You should find the extra digits shown there.

Thanks Barry, but none of my maps have anything in the corner but a lat/long.

[Marwood]

The first two digits of a UTM reference don't refer to the map, but to the UTM zone. In the UTM system, the globe is divided into 60 latitudinal zones of 6 deg each. For Australia, these range from 49 (west) to 56 (east).

You can find general info for UTM on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator_coordinate_system, and info for Australia here: http://home.mira.net/~gnb/gps/mapping.html#ausdatums.

[sirius Tas]

Hi Lindsay,
The 7 digits refers to both the NS & EW coordinates only. The EW only uses 6 digits..hence has a zero at the start.
To set the unit to read co-ordinates...go to setup....then into units....set position format to UTM....then set Map Datum to GDA....which will correspond to the latest maps.
The map legend should tell you which Map Datum it's using. Pre year 2000...most Map Datums in Australia were in AGD66...hence to match that particular datum simply change the GPSr from GDA to AGD66 etc.
Cheers
st

[Lindsay]

Thanks for your help team. I now have it sussed out.