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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: ray1 on 20:38:52, 17/02/19

Title: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: ray1 on 20:38:52, 17/02/19
Hi guys, I'm looking for a gps . Will only be used in uk, whilst for now will hopefully encourage me to lose the weight and I learn how to use one properly, maybe later in year I can use it when I go Cumbria. Would also use it for cycling.


Now I'm hoping you guys could help me, been advised by a shop worker in an outdoor shop the etrex 35 touch but also somebody currently on a walk said the 35 touch. 
Now this is where I was hoping for some help what would you guys recommend and what other cost are involved? I think I looked correctly and maps for 35 touch £150.




Thanks
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: sussamb on 20:51:17, 17/02/19
You have a number of options.  You can get apps for your phone, I use viewranger but I prefer my GPS. I use an Etrex 20 with free OSM maps, no need to purchase Garmin mapping.


Caveat: I use mine just for walking. For cycling a touch screen may be more useful.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: Deolman on 15:17:27, 23/02/19
Take a look at GPS Training based in Northumberland. Lots of advice on their site, very friendly and helpful staff, and if you purchase a unit from them they will set it up for you  before dispatching.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: humansnail on 18:26:20, 23/02/19

I picked up an etrex 20 second hand from ebay w/ full uk maps already loaded for a decent price (about 90 quid I think) and love it. The screen is small but it has been 100% reliable so far and easy to use. From what I have read it seems to be a bit fiddly to load the maps (for a non techy caveman like me!) but if you can get something with maps already on, it's very simple to get going. For what I use it for (reassuring myself that I am exactly where I think I am on the map) I can't see what I would gain from a more expensive model.


If you have a good phone then viewranger is great, but the gps on my phone was terrible and it never seemed to get a lock when I really needed it to. My friend has a fancy phone and viewranger seems to work great on that.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: Jays on 09:44:49, 28/02/19
To start with I would use the phone plus app.
I use an app called guru ( was Galileo)
You can plot your route, then record the route when walking.


No experience of other gps devices, this works for me home and around the world.


Use this app in cities also.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: GnP on 12:32:59, 28/02/19
I would recommend the Garmin Etrex 20x..I have a phone with Ordnance survey mapping on, but more times than not I use the Etrex. It is light, tough and easy to use. It uses two aa batteries that easily last 15 hours or more.

You can load very good maps onto it that are either free or very low cost from a site called Talky Toaster. The guy who runs that site is extremely helpful indeed.I paid £11 for some maps that have very good detail, even showing stiles, yet are less cluttered than Ordnance survey mapping in my opinion.The Etrex 20x (the upgrade from Etrex 20)  is selling from £130 upwards on Amazon.

I paid £126 for mine 12 months ago.Compare reviews with the etrex 20 (x) to the etrex 35 touch & see what you think...there are many reviews on Amazon.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: sussamb on 13:04:35, 28/02/19
I'm the same except mine is the Etrex 20. Had it over five years now and prefer it over my phone with ViewRanger when walking as easier to use and fits in my hand better.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: GnP on 13:13:48, 28/02/19
I'm the same except mine is the Etrex 20. Had it over five years now and prefer it over my phone with ViewRanger when walking as easier to use and fits in my hand better.
I`m a bit obsessive about mine...I love looking at Ordnance Survey mapping on a nice phone screen, but there is just something unique about the etrex 20 and some of the Open Source mapping that can be used. I had free OS mapping on it & then paid £11 for some slightly more detailed mapping. On balance I prefer the paid for map, but there really isn`t a lot in it.

As you say it fits in the hand so well..I sometimes walk with it in my hand almost forgetting its there..
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: sussamb on 13:55:57, 28/02/19
I'd used the TT paid for maps when they were free but found OSM mapping that I preferred so decided not to pay for something that should be free  ;)
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: GnP on 14:10:40, 28/02/19
I'd used the TT paid for maps when they were free but found OSM mapping that I preferred so decided not to pay for something that should be free  ;)
Are there different standards/types of OSM ?
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: sussamb on 14:52:01, 28/02/19
Sure, just like TT changes his so others change their take on OSM but they all use the same underlying data.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: GnP on 20:16:36, 01/03/19
One here going cheap....https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Garmin-eTrex-20x-Outdoor-gps-receiver-Western-Europe-Topo-map/292987261486?epid=1565395751&hash=item443766d22e:g:6kQAAOSwKtlb5XEZ:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: JFK on 19:01:06, 06/03/19
Hi, I am going to be walking the coast to coast in 2020 and am looking at a GPS. I am American so will likely buy a version I can use all over the world but I really want to to get EITHER OS maps for mine GPS or other maps that will give me some specific information for the route. I know I can download the waypoints from trailblazer based on their book's maps which are really good and very detailed. I was just wondering if anyone has used their GPS for the coast to coast and how they liked it and what they didn't like.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: sussamb on 19:46:49, 06/03/19
I use my Etrex 20 for all my long distance walks, and have walked the Pennine Way twice with it, plus Offa's Dyke and a few others.  I do the C2C later this year.  I use free OSM mapping on my Etrex and plan using BaseCamp (a free Garmin program) on my PC at home, transferring the routes etc before I go.  I haven't carried paper maps for many years, but have a backup to my Etrex just in case (routes and maps on my phone) but so far it's never let me down.
Title: Re: No idea where to start for GPS
Post by: JFK on 19:59:06, 06/03/19
Cool having a look at the tech specs looks like what I need!  :)