after getting lost this time last week whilst out ive decided to look into GPS is there any threads on here i should be looking at or any thoughts or experience on here of it...cheaper the better but not necessaryily the cheapest...
Could you use one? Seriously - how are you with map and compass?
Would a GPS have helped you last week? If all it told you was lat/long or grid ref would you have known what to do? If you were lost under trees and couldn't get sat lock how would you be?
not having a go but they're just a tool, not like some people think, a magic 'get you home' device.
its cool i understand where your coming from. experienced in map reading to the level of duke of edinburgh so would be fine with the equipment. Last week was a balls up with no map or compass. just looking to newer technology. i've experience of in car navigation but i know this is nothing like the GPS were talking about. do you have any experience and is it worth the extra cost?
I have a GPS (Garmin Forerunner 201) which is very much a running specific device. It logs where you've been and gives very good pace info etc. It also has some basic nav functions in that you can upload a route (waypoints) from pc mapping a follow.
I have to say, in all but the worst visibility, I'd rather nav by map and either compass (point fixing) or reckoning (knowing where I've been and what the terrain looks like)
I played with a friends garmin a few months back. I have to say I was impressed. I mean it noticed I was doing circles in the road on the way home (and no, I wasn't ((well not very)) drunk).
If you like toys and gadgets, go for it. The software is extortionately expensive - but that's what ftp and p2p is for ;-)
I liked the idea that you could plan a route on the pc, then upload it to garmin and then go rise it.
And finally you get to partake in gps treasure hunting, although I only ever bothered if there happened to be cache nearby :-)
They have some handy features. As noted above the route planning capability (with pc software) is good for avoiding navigation stops. Sometimes you'll go a little way off route, but you soon find out and its easy to get back on.
For "get you home" my eTrex Venture keeps a track of where you've been. If you want to just turn round and go back the way you came, it'll guide back (no expensive map needed). Obviously this may not be too handy on a circular route ....
Also, of course you can just capture a reference point at your car. At any time later you can then immediately access distance and bearing to that point. Quite handy in cities, let alone forests.
Talking about forests, I've never had much trouble with losing lock in the forests I ride in. I've generally found that even if you do lose lock, getting back on a bit of double track will be enough to rediscover yourself. And of course, map reading in a forest is no easy task either.
For me, the key advantage if absence of navigation stops. I'll like to ride continuously if slowly.
That's what I like about GPS - no more faffing every 5 minutes with the map. Don't forget spare batteries and a conventional paper map/compass as a backup.
Gps is a good back up and should only be viewed as that. I carry a Garmin Etrex on all occasions, but that is only a back up to a map & compass.
Make sure that if you get a GPS you set the datum of the map into the GPS as you will find that it will not be accurate. Also be aware that there used to be a built in error into civilian GPS, so make sure you get a new one and stay upto date with any free software downloads etc.
Most GPS' are now 12 channel (ie 12 satelites at a time (when you only need 3-4) so are extremely accurate also reaquiring from a loss (trees, terrain) is generally under 40seconds.
I have a Etrex and find it comes in handy but it doesnt replace a map and compass it is an aid the electronic bread crumb comes in handy to enable you to retrace your steps and the 10 figure grid referance helps you quickly establish you place on the map. a ten fig grid ref gives you your location acurate to 1sq metre but with error addition i have mine down to an accuracy of about 20ft normally just to clarify a 10 fig grid ref looks like this
SE, 12345,12345 to rationalise this top a workable 6 figure grid you just ignore the last two no's from each the eastings and the northings
I use a GPS (Garmin Geko 201) all the time...and quite apart from seeing where you've been, and following uploaded routes, it's very handy being to look at your track and see what way to go get back to start if you pike half way round and want to take shortcuts. Hardly ever completely lose signal, even in heavy trees...as long as you keep moving. If I'm doing a new route I've got a shock/water proof case for my pda too, and run MM on that.
I have a Garmin Etrex and have used it in various conditions. I am a Mountain Rescue Volunteer and wouldn't think of leaving home without it but unless you can read a map and use Grid References it is a usless piece of plastic. I use software called Gartrip found here http://www.gartrip.de/ it is shareware and is really useful. Make sure you can use the GPS well before you head out into the wilds trying to figure it out when your lost is a real pain.
Now then guys, If you get a Mio 168 GPS an add Memory Map 2004, when you get lost you fire it up and bingo, there is the O/S map showing you exatly where you are on it, and even in pretty colour, and if you add the aerial maps you can see were you are from that to, you can even add Tom Tom 3 to get you where you want to go in the car, and add Checkpoint speed camera data base to stop keep toping up those yellow boxes at the side of the road, and its not as expensive as you might think, or of course you can keep getting lost and paying the Gov. them fines, and what do points make, (NO MORE NEW BIKES AND BITS)
Just picked up a Etrex today, sweet piece of kit for the money, it's about 40foot off, in town not taken into the wilds yet. (compared to memory map)
you say, no use unless you can read map coordinates, but use the route tool, mark your start location, ride around and atleast you'll know the way home, or at the very least the direction :)
Planning, on getting into multi day epics, getting carried away and missing a turn point by a few miles, especially when on day 3 and knackered is going to be all to easy, so treated myself :)
If anyone, is interested I've got all of the 2004 Memory Maps 50,000:1, and most of the 25,000:1 ones, will fit on a DVD can post out, and shhhhhhh. ( find your own memory map crack, and send it to me pls )
I've got the old GPS12 which only provides an arrow and compass and track - still really useful on longer trips to avoid the "which direction to the next stop" problems. need to have a map (batteries go - and equipement can fail etc) and also need to plan ahead.
Accuracy good enough and provides that real time positioning and disant to teashop info which is so vital for moral.
I will use it every time I do an MBR/WMB route with a map to ensure I have least problems in navigation - they can also see how accurate your car speedo is too!
