GPS for when you have arrived at your destination.

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Ex-SolentBoy

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When we get ashore we normally take long walks on coastal paths.

Despite being an I phone evangelist, I really want a top range, compact, handheld dedicated gps with detailed ordnance survey maps for walking.
What would you recommend?

I just want very detailed maps, good screen and good battery life.
 
You want a plotter then, not a GPS.

Pete Cooper had one that looked good even with the small screen, Garmin IIRC. They have them in our local go-Outdoors, go and have a look.

i looked at getting OS maps for open CPN for when we are on Windermere but at about £40 I decided i could manage without.
 
aquaplane said:
You want a plotter then, not a GPS.
Click to expand...

Not for walking - "plotter" is an exclusively maritime term. My amateur-pilot father regards it as a stupid word, and insists that the thing on the boat is a "moving map", because that's what flying folks call their version of the same thing. A car driver, in turn, would give "moving map" a funny look and insist that it is a "sat nav".

I *think* walkers do just call a GPS with maps "a GPS".

Pete
 
prv said:
Not for walking - "plotter" is an exclusively maritime term. My amateur-pilot father regards it as a stupid word, and insists that the thing on the boat is a "moving map", because that's what flying folks call their version of the same thing. A car driver, in turn, would give "moving map" a funny look and insist that it is a "sat nav".

I *think* walkers do just call a GPS with maps "a GPS".

Pete
Click to expand...

Yer but, this is a boating forum and a GPS is a GPS and a Plotter has a moving map not just a lat /long display, so he is looking for a plotter as we know it.

If OP wants a GPS a Garmin etrex is looked on well, but it hasn't a moving map, he will need a plotter for that.
 
aquaplane said:
You want a plotter then, not a GPS.

Pete Cooper had one that looked good even with the small screen, Garmin IIRC. They have them in our local go-Outdoors, go and have a look.

i looked at getting OS maps for open CPN for when we are on Windermere but at about £40 I decided i could manage without.
Click to expand...

Pete's is a Garmin Oregon. It comes in versions for marine or land-based use, with maps to match.

Note that limitations of GPS display systems mean that although the mapping may be OS data, it won't look like an OS map.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Pete's is a Garmin Oregon. It comes in versions for marine or land-based use, with maps to match.

Note that limitations of GPS display systems mean that although the mapping may be OS data, it won't look like an OS map.
Click to expand...

+1 have one use it as chart plotter on the boat walking (and caching) road navigation (no voice just a beep). Can be trouble some to set up with all you want working smoothly but worth it...

Not Garmins Fault but mine if you want smooth operation between road maps os maps and charts. Often navigating on road maps with a chart or OS overlay it takes a little thought...

Speak to Garmin before buying any maps if you want to try this sort of trick.

Since I bought my Oregon they also do Dakota Cheaper and I do not know why..

Personally I would say get the Montana seems to do everything SO much better...

Worth every penny I would say....

If you google Garmin Bing you should get some advise about (legally free) OS maps for these devises if not PM me.
 
If you have a smartphone, download 'memory map tracker' app and load the OS map you need from online sources. Not brilliant battery life but adequate for a walk.
 
PCUK said:
Ipad would be ideal, but not compact!
Click to expand...

Thanks all.

I am a Garmin evangelist too so I will go and see them.

Yes, iPad would be perfect. I have all the OS maps there already on Memory Map and do my walking planning on that. Pockets not big enough though.:)
 
This may be too retro or even luddite for many of you, but why not buy the actual OS 1:25000 paper maps for the places you want to walk ? Easy to use, excellent battery life (almost indefinite), easy to plan with, good detail, fit in your pocket, light; once you get used to it you can 'see' the landscape around you.

At about 8 squid each you get quite few for the price of a bit of electronics
 
aquaplane said:
You want a plotter then, not a GPS.
Click to expand...
OK, so how about this "plotter"?
garmin-dakota-20-00.jpg
It's a Garmin Dakota 20 BTW, and it takes OS Maps on micro SD cards. Lots of other options, though -- mostly Garmin!

Generally, if you can find a hand-held GPS in a chandlery it will be significantly cheaper (up to about 20% less) than the same model in an "outdoor" shop. You may have to go elsewhere for the land maps, but you will save on the thing itself
 
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RobbieW said:
This may be too retro or even luddite for many of you, but why not buy the actual OS 1:25000 paper maps for the places you want to walk ? Easy to use, excellent battery life (almost indefinite), easy to plan with, good detail, fit in your pocket, light; once you get used to it you can 'see' the landscape around you.

At about 8 squid each you get quite few for the price of a bit of electronics
Click to expand...

Fantastic idea, and I do like paper maps. Few drawbacks though.

They don't have an arrow showing where you are.
They don't do distance and terrain calculations for you.
They don't remember your track.
The don't fit in my pockets.
They aren't waterproof

I carry them anyway as I like them for planning when I get to the pub.
For on the go I like a handheld.
 
Ex-SolentBoy said:
Fantastic idea, and I do like paper maps. Few drawbacks though.

They don't have an arrow showing where you are.
They don't do distance and terrain calculations for you.
They don't remember your track.
The don't fit in my pockets.
They aren't waterproof

I carry them anyway as I like them for planning when I get to the pub.
For on the go I like a handheld.
Click to expand...

On the plus side though ... Excellent battery life and use of the brain may stave off dementia .
 
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