invisiblemonsters: take a look at http://www.talkytoaster.info/. There you will find a pretty good set of OSM-based maps, some of which are routable (if your GPSr supports it). For info, I have no problems creating OSM-based routes to load onto my GPSr and then follow. On my Dakota 20, I can copy the GPX file either to the SD card or to the device's internal memory from Bikely, Gmap-Pedometer, or MapSource and I'm good to go.
The Legend HCx will do the job just fine and AFAICT it's about the least expensive Garmin dedicated GPSr that will. That said, I couldn't get on with the push-button interface and wanted paperless Geocaching and so went for a Dakota 20, which doesn't cost much more than the Legend but does have a touch-screen interface, tilt-compensated compass, and barometric altimeter.
In the final analysis, I'd go for Garmin every time if only to get the OSM mapping. After that, it comes down to personal preference. If you like a push-button interface then go for the Edge, Legend, or Vista. If you like touch-screen then go for the Dakota or Oregon. If you like a rechargeable unit with a non-replaceable battery then go for the Edge. If you don't mind carrying a few spare AA cells around (which can be NiMH rechargeables) then go for one of the others. If you want paperless Geocaching (not a cycle-related feature) then go for the Dakota or Oregon.
HTH,
Geoff
Which make of GPS should I choose?
-
invisiblemonsters
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 11 May 2008, 2:29pm
- Location: Bristol, UK
Re: Which make of GPS should I choose?
Thanks for responses, especially GeoffL and 7_lives_left
If it's of interest to anyone (e.g. the OP whose question I impolitely hijacked), I got the Garmin Legend HCx and so far it seems excellent. I loaded an OpenStreetMap map onto it with ease (the base map included is really next to useless - from what I saw it includes no roads smaller than an A road).
It takes routes and tracks in .gpx format (which can be created on a number of sites - I used http://www.bikehike.co.uk/ ) which are highlighted on the map and you can follow as you go along which is exactly what I wanted.
More expensive units like the Dakota or the Edge certainly have better graphics, so I guess you need to weigh up if it's personally worth it to you to pay more for that, but the Legend is good enough for my purposes. Seems very rugged and fairly easy to use though there are a lot of menu options I've yet to explore fully.
As said above, it takes AA batteries so you don't need to worry about running out of power and finding somewhere to charge up, just take a few spare just in case.
Overall seems a very good buy.
If it's of interest to anyone (e.g. the OP whose question I impolitely hijacked), I got the Garmin Legend HCx and so far it seems excellent. I loaded an OpenStreetMap map onto it with ease (the base map included is really next to useless - from what I saw it includes no roads smaller than an A road).
It takes routes and tracks in .gpx format (which can be created on a number of sites - I used http://www.bikehike.co.uk/ ) which are highlighted on the map and you can follow as you go along which is exactly what I wanted.
More expensive units like the Dakota or the Edge certainly have better graphics, so I guess you need to weigh up if it's personally worth it to you to pay more for that, but the Legend is good enough for my purposes. Seems very rugged and fairly easy to use though there are a lot of menu options I've yet to explore fully.
As said above, it takes AA batteries so you don't need to worry about running out of power and finding somewhere to charge up, just take a few spare just in case.
Overall seems a very good buy.