Hand held GPS recommendations

[makingplansfor]

I am about to purchase a reasonably cheap (hopefully) hand held GPS - primarily for Geocaching (modern day treasure hunt for those who haven't heard of it) but clearly would be useful for the grab bag and when messing around in the tender. The device therefore has to take both land maps and nautical charts, preferably from an open source i.e. free. A couple of other nice to haves - waterproof, fairly large colour screen, rechargeable and possibly touchscreen. Hopefully no more than £200.

Question therefore is does anyone have a recommendation and secondly how easy is it to find and load open source charts to this type of device?

 

[[70521]]

Any of the Garmin handhelds are good, I use a GPS62Sx map for all my needs - plenty on ebay and there are more modern versions.

For maps there is http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

For charts there is the OpenSea Project http://www.openseamap.org/index.php?id=openseamap&L=1 BUT, I really, really can't get on with it and don't have time to learn another system.

 

[surekandoo]

If you can afford it get one of the latest Garmin handhelds - the compass on these works in any orientation and the unit does not need to be held horizontally to get an accurate heading.

 

[onesea]

A Montana is my 5* Gold Answer....

I have an Origon. Would be tempted by Dakota.

Read the features compare decide what you would use shop for your best compromise & price.

I would not look past a Garmin.

 

[skipper681]

I still have a Garmin gps12 that is there if ever needed.

 

[pagoda]

I'd agree on Garmin. The battery consumption may annoy you at times but they are hard to beat. I use NimH rechargables (with a pack of alkaline emergency spares). There are several Garmin models with atmospheric pressure sensors- a feature well worth having. My handheld has been outside in the cockpit in all weathers and come to no harm.

Graeme

 

[dartmoor]

The navionics iPhone app is brilliant value - handheld colour charting GPS for around 30. Just don't drop the iPhone!

 

[theguerns]

Yes good advice an iphone for 300 pounds or a dedicated gps navigation device made for the job.garmin h72 the best for the job and about 126 pounds

 

[dartmoor]

Yes good advice an iphone for 300 pounds or a dedicated gps navigation device made for the job.garmin h72 the best for the job and about 126 pounds

Only applicable if you have the phone anyway..durr. Good luck making a phone call with the Garmin....

 

[theguerns]

none waterproof iphone or a waterproof gps. not much of a choise in my world

 

[duncan99210]

Horses for courses. We use an Etrex 10 for geocaching, download cache details to it from the website. No mapping on it but it's cheap as chips (£65 IIRC); it lives in the grab bag when we're on the boat. We have an Android smartphone that we have Navonics on as a back up chart plotter, lives in a waterproof cover on the boat. We'd use it for caching but for the fact that I can't get on with the android geocaching apps.

 

[rosewood]

I had a farming gpsmap 78s for Xmas. Seems very good. Easy to use

 

[rosewood]

I had a farming gpsmap 78s for Xmas. Seems very good. Easy to use

Garmin not farming (ipad!)

 

[Reptile Smile]

none waterproof iphone or a waterproof gps. not much of a choise in my world

Does your world have access to eBay? Waterproof cases/bags start at £8.

 

[makingplansfor]

Thanks all. Garmin it is then, although still decision to make as they have many ranges that are very similar. Tending towards the Dakota though. Any thoughts about free charts as I have already paid for C map and Imray and don't really want to pay Garmin for theirs as well!

 

[bikerbill]

I use a Garmin eTrex H for hillwalking and when out on the boat. Not for actual navigation, merely to record my routes. Have you considered a Tablet that has GPS with downloaded charts? I also carry the paper charts ?OS maps

 

[onesea]

Thanks all. Garmin it is then, although still decision to make as they have many ranges that are very similar. Tending towards the Dakota though. Any thoughts about free charts as I have already paid for C map and Imray and don't really want to pay Garmin for theirs as well!

There is a good comparison page on the Garmin website for the models. Watch online for random sales on various models.

Charts used to be "available" online not certain how up to date they would be now. You can certainly get OS maps quite easily and talky toaster maps are quite good.

 

[Tintin]

I find a simple GPS app on my phone suffices for geocaching. Phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note which has GPS built in (most do I think now). I see no need to buy another device.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Not sure why anyone buys hand held GPS these days. Smart phone with an appropriate case is a much more versatile tool.

 

[onesea]

I find a simple GPS app on my phone suffices for geocaching. Phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note which has GPS built in (most do I think now). I see no need to buy another device.

As such there is no need but:
Its great to give your kids when caching,
Its handy to pass around the cockpit without worry,
Its nice to not have to think about battery life,
You do not need to worry about whats available without phone signal,
You do not need phone signal if you make wrong turn when driving,
No worries about the rain,
You have a back up in your Phone/ GPS
I am sure there are others,

There is no need and you can get around most of these points but I understand the point of one.

Had I not of bought mine in the infancy of Smart phone I would be saying what you are but as it is I am very glad I have mine...