Thread: Which GPS would you recomend?

Question:

Santa's bringing a GPS but I'm having a bit of a debate with her about what sort. She wants to get me a Garmin etrax that has the maps on it. Is this feature of any use on these tiny screens?

Personally I think this is a waste as the screens are too small, etc so all I want is a basic unit that I can upload/download waypoints and tracks from. Say a GPS60 which comes with the cable and software.

Thoughts/comments?

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Treads

I just took delivery of an ASUS A636 pda/gps from evilbay ($360). I've installed oziexplorer CE and converted all my maps across to the 2gb SD card (quite a lenghty process). All I can say is....... WOW!!!! This thing is amazing. So much functionality in one device. I love it.

Bluetooth, wireless, Infared, usb, inbuilt GPS, SD storage, email, car kit, etc. brilliant!! I think I'm in love with an electronic device

Nice bit of kit and nice price too. You'll find you might run out of space on the SD for all your maps. I tend to have one SD card for each state. 2GB SDs are only $30- $35 these days.

Hi everyone. I just received a new garmin 60 csx for 400 bucks from ebay. Absolute bargain I felt bad because it actually undercut what the guy paid for it when he shipped it from U.S. I now have two as my partner wants oen as well. The machine and the operating system on it is brilliant.

Just a note on the PDA sort of system. I use one of these with a bluetooth aerial and am concerned about how robust the aerial is. Mainly for bush walking however is where I am concerned not so much in the vehicle. But one slip with the PDA and it could be history. Also the aerials are not waterproof or resistant in my experience (i got my pda aerial from jaycar). Good reception, cheap but just not robust.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Treads, I've thought about something like this as I have an Asus PDA already.

Q: Like with a dedicated GPS, can you add waypoints, do track back, does it have a compass, etc?

Cheers.

Not sure about the compass, but yes you can add waypoints, etc. I'm looking forward to using it in anger nearer to xmas when we head to the snowys. I just love the fact that I can run tom tom to get us there and then ozi for the detail stuff.

I have still got a lot to learn about ozi CE, might actually have to read the manual for something

Have read all previous posts and am wondering about a GPS for use predominantly in built up areas, probably blaspheme on this site I know but I have to ask.

I drive a cab one day a week and so need something that is quick and easy to use and possibly with the option of updateable maps. I have visited a couple of electronics shops and they have pointed me in the direction of Garmin saying they are the best but they can't give me a reason why.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

crl

Choice magazine just did a test of handheld GPS and the two Garmin models came out on top.
Not sure if this is the same chip as used in their street navigator models
Some places in the city esp. in narrow streets with tall buildings, any GPS will have problems getting a fix.

Hi
I got a bluetooth GPS from Ebay that works with my PDA on TomTom software.

The only time it's lost it's signal was in a tunnel!
Works in the house even in the glove box, very happy with it.

Maps are pretty accurate as far as I can tell, (on road).

Off-road a waste of space in your 4x4

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Question:

Santa's bringing a GPS but I'm having a bit of a debate with her about what sort. She wants to get me a Garmin etrax that has the maps on it. Is this feature of any use on these tiny screens?

Personally I think this is a waste as the screens are too small, etc so all I want is a basic unit that I can upload/download waypoints and tracks from. Say a GPS60 which comes with the cable and software.

Thoughts/comments?

Cheers.

A lot of people seem to agree with you that the screens are to small on that sort of unit. What sort of maps do you mean? i.e. street maps, topos or?

The feature is useful (maps) but as you said it is a small screen and can be difficult at times to read. When driving it is often said that you need to pull over plan the trip a bit and start off again.

The issue you may find is that the cheaper you go the worse the tracking capabilities etc. So you want a sirf 3 chip set usually which is the latest tech I think.

When you say you want to upload /download waypoints and tracks do you mean on to your computer at home from the gps? I'm sure you do but just clarifying.