Author Topic: What GPS?  (Read 2497 times)

What GPS?
« on: 23 November, 2017, 09:26:12 pm »
I have a desire to spend money on a GPS that can be used for walking and cycling. Trouble is I don't want to spend much. What specialist unit would you recommend? What can you get that's worth having for the least money.

BTW I have a smartphone with viewranger and their free maps. Had it for ages but with my old phone it wasn't good. Better with my new phone but I really want something that is independent of the important roles of my phone (communication and quick photography).

BTW I have an old GPS a Garmin GPS then a number (they added a better screen and put maps on it but that's long after this one came out. It's not even GLONASS or Galileo compatible (or whatever other GPS systems there are). It's the quad helix antenna one with the sticky out bit top right.

One thought, viewranger do GPS units even phones. Any good? Overpriced?

Also back when I did a lot of walking ppl raved over the satmap active 10 unit. Any good? Too expensive? Too bulky/heavy?

So over to you experts.

Re: What GPS?
« Reply #1 on: 24 November, 2017, 10:42:43 am »
Mapping and I guess they can all be used to record your ride / walk details.

Do any take Bluetooth or ANT+ connections. Like the edge 25 I own takes cadence sensors and hrm sensors. Do any more hiking aimed units do that? I know a few can attach to special bike mounts. Even the venerable sat map 12 a mate had could do that. Just not sure about more cycling orientated functions.

I.think I found one that had Bluetooth, ANT+ and wifi connectivity but it didn't say what could connect.

BTW a lot of my favorite online and physical retailers seem not to put walking type GPS units online. Are they kind of dying out with smartphones and GPS watches? I'm struggling to find good retailers stocking them online.

Re: What GPS?
« Reply #2 on: 24 November, 2017, 11:07:13 am »
Just put this up for sale if you're interested .....https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=105863 sold

Kim

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Re: What GPS?
« Reply #3 on: 24 November, 2017, 11:59:40 am »
Do any take Bluetooth or ANT+ connections.

In that case I think you might be limited to the Oregon and Montana models. I suggest you check out the specifications for the eTrex and Oregon models at Garmin's website.

The eTrex 30 has ANT+, but only supports a limited range of sensors.  HRM is no problem.  I think it can do the cadence half of a combined cadence/speed sensor.  It can't do discrete cadence sensors.

Not sure about the newer eTrexes, but i expect the higher end ones have similar.

Kim

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Re: What GPS?
« Reply #4 on: 24 November, 2017, 12:31:00 pm »
The eTrex 30 has ANT+, but only supports a limited range of sensors.  HRM is no problem.  I think it can do the cadence half of a combined cadence/speed sensor.  It can't do discrete cadence sensors.

Not sure about the newer eTrexes, but i expect the higher end ones have similar.

My comments where based on the specifications on Garmin's website for the various models. There is no mention of ANT+ for the eTrex models (e.g., the Etrex 30) whereas the Oregon models get a specific mention (e.g., Oregon 700) and my Oregon 600 has ANT+

Mine were based on owning an eTrex 30 and regularly using it with an ANT+ sensor.  *shrugs*

From this we can conclude that the information on the Garmin website is incomplete...

Re: What GPS?
« Reply #5 on: 24 November, 2017, 02:10:30 pm »
Something strange is happening. I'm only seeing Aushiker's posts when quoted by Kim. I've go nobody on my ignore list (although biggsy is somehow on my buddy list, I don't tend to use lists like friends and foes lists).

Does anyone know why aushiker has disappeared to me?

It feels like GPS units have fallen out of fashion somehow. I got a gps60 IIRC which was a cheap, basic GPS from probably over ten years ago. When I got it I looked on most outdoor websites and found a whole list of models from a few brands too. Fast forward to last night and all my local, quality outdoors shops didn't stock any on their online shop.  I went to retailers based in Blackburn right up to Penrith and Keswick. There's some very good shops there with good online stores but only one or two had GPS units and mostly not many brands and models. Etrex 10 and nothing else in some.

I like to read up from retailers and a few at that too. I find brand websites are a bit clunky and annoying. Guess I need to check them out anyway.

What brands are there? Garmin, Magellan and Lowrance were three I looked at when I got my ancient GPS. Any others? Well satmap is one but expensive IMHO.

I doubt I can get what I want for less than £200. I might just do something with a cheap phone and Viewranger or even my own phone. Might have to but rather not.

Any good retailer websites for buying a range of GPS units?

Feanor

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Re: What GPS?
« Reply #6 on: 24 November, 2017, 02:15:38 pm »
Something strange is happening. I'm only seeing Aushiker's posts when quoted by Kim. I've go nobody on my ignore list.

Does anyone know why aushiker has disappeared to me?

<AOL> Me To! </AOL>
Perhaps he just deleted his posts, and the quote is the ghostly remains of them.