What Handheld GPS

[Ben82]

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to know if anybody uses a GPS unit and what would you recommend? I have some new land to stalk and is far, far to vast to learn in a few stalking trips! So I would like to be able to re-find places of interest or hotspots without relying on memory (car and quadbike a must).

I dont want to spend a fortune as I am not Sir Ranulph Fiennes and will not be trekking the Antarctic but I am willing to spend £200 + or - a bit.

Thanks - Ben

 

[Windy]

Hi, have a look at the Garmin units, they have a model to cover all needs.
Try Maplins, you may get a christmas offer!

 

[limulus]

You'll get a mid/top end Garmin for that sort of cash.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Garmin Oregon, gooutdoors have them on offer right now!
But always carry a compass with you if you go anywhere remote.
cheers

 

[badbob]

simple Garmin e treck 10 at about £99
shows where youve been, waymarks, how to get back to your car.
If you want maps on a color screen you need to go up to model 20 or 30
£200 plus, then you need maps....not sure if thats worth it unless your rich.

Also most smart phones have gps google earth etc
you can get sat images showing individual trees

BUT you need spare batteries
AND a map and compass.

 

[floyd]

You also need to remember that if you put in a waypoint or marker, and navigate to it, the GPS will take you there in a straight line, unless you use a track back system or a series of waypoints. You need to know if theres a river/cliff/gorge/forest in the way - trust me I found out the hard way....

 

[HuN73R666]

I just use the iPhone with Memory map and the O/S map for the area. I phone will track the GPS even when there is no phone signal.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I just use the iPhone with Memory map and the O/S map for the area. I phone will track the GPS even when there is no phone signal.

Unless you are on Dartmoor in the fog, trust me, they don't work.
Map and compass needed.
Cheers
Richard

 

[HuN73R666]

You need to ensure that the map is downloaded prior to you loosing signal. But once this is the case I have not had an issue with the GPS working. I agree though that I would not rely on electronic to get me out if the **** hit the fan. Cant beat a paper backup.

Unless you are on Dartmoor in the fog, trust me, they don't work.
Map and compass needed.
Cheers
Richard

 

[Ben82]

I have all the essential kit, but this piece of land is so vast you can have a 45 min quad bike journey before you start stalking.

So I am just after something that works, so I am not sure I could trust my Iphone as I cant even trust it to have a signal.

 

[Hornet 6]

If your going to use it to find places you have previously marked then buy the one with the biggest screen you can afford.
Any of the Garmin motorcycle ones would do, you need the bigger screen to see the other points you have marked, and where
they are in relation to where you are. The new Garmin Montana is a cracker, but out of your price range, that said the older versions
are about now at reduced prices, and second hand now. I have a Garmin GPS60 CS, screen is a bit small but it would do all you need
but you would be forever zooming in and out to see other way points in the vicinity.

Neil.

 

[Daywalker]

Garmin st good bit of kit never been lost yet good for marking. Guy on eBay sells them £250 ish spot on

 

[hughsurrey]

Mark Gilchrist has put together an app for smartphones (G4ema) , which allows you to mark your boundaries and points such as highseats etc also Viewranger app is a useful tool.

 

[Ben82]

Thinking the Garmin 450 is it worth having the OS Maps??

Thanks - Ben

 

[Muir]

I have Garmin E-Trex, now a few years old. I have it mounted on my back woods motorcycle for simple navigation and speed. It has been sterling and gotten me back to my Jeep in the dead of might through some very nasty Montana canyon country. Less than $100 US. No maps, no bells and whistles. Just there and back again.~Muir

 

[devon deer stalker]

I have Garmin E-Trex, now a few years old. I have it mounted on my back woods motorcycle for simple navigation and speed. It has been sterling and gotten me back to my Jeep in the dead of might through some very nasty Montana canyon country. Less than $100 US. No maps, no bells and whistles. Just there and back again.~Muir

That is the one i have, no frills.

 

[badbob]

yes you need a good map and a compass
a garmin e trex 10
spare batteries
and a "Spot" personal locator beacon.

or I could go as Navigator and general dogsbody

 

[Shabz]

I have a Garmin GPS60 CS, screen is a bit small but it would do all you need
but you would be forever zooming in and out to see other way points in the vicinity.

Neil.

I use this GPS too, for forestry surveys, they're very good in tree canopy or deep gullies. Remember to take spare batteries with you though.

 

[Kalahari]

+1 for the etrex. Use it with a map. You need the big map to mark places of interest and use the big pictureto learn what the area looks like so your sense of direction and "place" develop.

David.

 

[caorach]

I have a Garmin with the OS maps loaded into it and must say that I find the OS maps invaluable but they are expensive. Make sure you can get decent mapping of your area before you buy.

Get yourself a dedicated GPS that is waterproof and robust. Smartphones are fine but for the most part they are not waterproof and if you drop one it might be dead, if you have to operate it with water running down your arms it might also be dead.

For some reason having this years GPS seems to be a fashion thing so you can often get an older model for very little money, I have a much older version of this one, I think my one is a GPS60CS or something like that, anyhow, I never can remember all these letters:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=63800

For what it is worth I feel that I really get my money's worth out of my GPS and maps and if I lost it I'd buy another one.