i'm thinking of buying a satnav or gps, has anyone any info, or recomendations on what to buy and what to avoid .
thanks.
gary
satnav
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Jim Crosskell
Re:satnav
What for? Perhaps to escape the ever growing list of suggestions on how to waterproof maps!
Plus points; Look cool, tells you how to find petrol stations and pizza express er that's it.
Minus points; Variable accuracy even on the same route used over and over, easily stolen and attractive to theives, not as robust as the manufacturers would have you believe, that big colour screen needs feeding batteries unless you plan to run it off a dynamo.
I suppose thay would have a role to play in extremis, but when are you going to be that lost that you need it?
Plus points; Look cool, tells you how to find petrol stations and pizza express er that's it.
Minus points; Variable accuracy even on the same route used over and over, easily stolen and attractive to theives, not as robust as the manufacturers would have you believe, that big colour screen needs feeding batteries unless you plan to run it off a dynamo.
I suppose thay would have a role to play in extremis, but when are you going to be that lost that you need it?
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PHIL
Re:satnav
I recently bought a Garmin gps 60 from www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk There's no base map on it but its got an electronic compass & altimeter on it and gives os grid references to within 15ft. I'm well pleased with mine and if they were'nt any good mountain rescue teams and the army would'nt carry them about. Garmin up-dates are free and a usb lead & basic software was included with mine. Hope this helps! Always carry a map & compass though!!
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gav
Re:satnav
I’ve used an etrex legend for a few years. It allows map data to be transferred to the unit and has basic map detail for a large part of the world. On my bike I use the GPS with etrex’s bike bracket so it’s mounted on your handle bars like a cycle computer.
Shortly after getting the GPS I was to go sailing. The instructions stated it was waterproof to a pressure of 1 metre and as I was curious if it would float I placed it in a glass of water. It promptly leaked (the GPS not the glass) and stopped working so be wary of claimed weather resistance properties, although I’ve had no other problems.
One useful feature is backtracking. You can do a journey and then if you wish to retrace your route the GPS can show a large arrow for which direction to head. If you setup properly it will show turns before you have to make them.
Once you get a GPS then you can partake in geocaching and gpsdrawing amongst other curious GPS activities.
www.geocaching.com/
<A href='http://www.gpsdrawing.com/gallery.htm
'>www.gpsdrawing.com/gallery.htm
</A>
Shortly after getting the GPS I was to go sailing. The instructions stated it was waterproof to a pressure of 1 metre and as I was curious if it would float I placed it in a glass of water. It promptly leaked (the GPS not the glass) and stopped working so be wary of claimed weather resistance properties, although I’ve had no other problems.
One useful feature is backtracking. You can do a journey and then if you wish to retrace your route the GPS can show a large arrow for which direction to head. If you setup properly it will show turns before you have to make them.
Once you get a GPS then you can partake in geocaching and gpsdrawing amongst other curious GPS activities.
www.geocaching.com/
<A href='http://www.gpsdrawing.com/gallery.htm
'>www.gpsdrawing.com/gallery.htm
</A>
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gav
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gar
Re:satnav
That is a fine application which I shall use.
How significant is the White Horse !
I am making a little collection of links
as much for young cyclists (15-21) as anything
but of general use under this heading.
I have included yours but I think you will also enjoy the other links I have studied in the last few days.
www.garethhowell.net/physicsofbicycles.html
I am also doing a project php2 board which ADHedley has thoughtfully provided, to get round all the exisiting disadvantages.
How significant is the White Horse !
I am making a little collection of links
as much for young cyclists (15-21) as anything
but of general use under this heading.
I have included yours but I think you will also enjoy the other links I have studied in the last few days.
www.garethhowell.net/physicsofbicycles.html
I am also doing a project php2 board which ADHedley has thoughtfully provided, to get round all the exisiting disadvantages.
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gar
Re:satnav
www.attheforum.com/forums/
This may take you to Cycle Touring club forum
Moderator but possibly just the forum.
If you are good at settings will you do some settings if you log on to moderator.
This may take you to Cycle Touring club forum
Moderator but possibly just the forum.
If you are good at settings will you do some settings if you log on to moderator.
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zeb
Re:satnav
Gary
I've been using an Garmin eTrex Vista for most of the year. Apparently, if I could be bothered, I could fork out about £100 to buy proper UK maps to upload to it rather than the base map that comes with it. I use it to record where I've been as I never get lost
My only problem with batteries is cold weather and the occasional bump on the road making the thing shut down. If you want to look at some maps I've made then goto http://www.cyclerouter.co.uk/
Personally I'm waiting for the release of the Garmin Edge 305 in January so I can get better accuracy. Don't know what the battery life will be like for those, but hopefully there will be better cold weather performance.
I've been using an Garmin eTrex Vista for most of the year. Apparently, if I could be bothered, I could fork out about £100 to buy proper UK maps to upload to it rather than the base map that comes with it. I use it to record where I've been as I never get lost
My only problem with batteries is cold weather and the occasional bump on the road making the thing shut down. If you want to look at some maps I've made then goto http://www.cyclerouter.co.uk/
Personally I'm waiting for the release of the Garmin Edge 305 in January so I can get better accuracy. Don't know what the battery life will be like for those, but hopefully there will be better cold weather performance.
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gar
Re:satnav
Talking about Audax which I found from cyclerouter... there are even different kinds of long distance cycling are there not.
Having your way marked for you and not carrying a particularly heavy load of camping gear and things, makes a long distance much easier... less thn half the time...
and they even have drop handle bars...! Do they get a certificate I wonder?
Having your way marked for you and not carrying a particularly heavy load of camping gear and things, makes a long distance much easier... less thn half the time...
and they even have drop handle bars...! Do they get a certificate I wonder?
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Tim
Re:satnav
got agarmin gecko 201 and gonna use it in connection with
www.geocaching.comwouldn't be without a map and compass though either hillwalking or cycling unknown roads.
www.geocaching.comwouldn't be without a map and compass though either hillwalking or cycling unknown roads.
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gav
Re:satnav
Once you get a GPS then you can partake in geocaching and gpsdrawing amongst other curious GPS activities.
www.geograph.org.uk/
My brother likes this site. You can be out for a walk with him when he says, “Excuse me I just have to take a slight diversion”, as he heads across some moor with GPS in hand until he’s bang on a grid corner. Then proceeds to take a set of photos.
www.geograph.org.uk/
My brother likes this site. You can be out for a walk with him when he says, “Excuse me I just have to take a slight diversion”, as he heads across some moor with GPS in hand until he’s bang on a grid corner. Then proceeds to take a set of photos.