Handheld GPS for hillwalking - recommend me one!
Discussion
Hi all, I've been looking at handheld GPS for hillwalking as a birthday gift for my old man as he does a lot of hillwalking and likes to stray from the beaten path and find his own routes - however has got lost a few times due to bad weather closing in where a GPS may have assisted.
I've read a few of the other threads on here and the Garmin Dakota 10 and 20 come recommended, however when I go on the Garmin website it suggests the Dakota 10 doesn't have a compass or barometric altimeter - surely a handheld GPS without these isn't much use, or am I missing something?
I'm looking for something under £200, this looked like good value http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-eTrex-Vista-HCx-Han...
I've read a few of the other threads on here and the Garmin Dakota 10 and 20 come recommended, however when I go on the Garmin website it suggests the Dakota 10 doesn't have a compass or barometric altimeter - surely a handheld GPS without these isn't much use, or am I missing something?
I'm looking for something under £200, this looked like good value http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-eTrex-Vista-HCx-Han...
If he's done a lot hillwalking then he just needs something simple that will give him coordinates so he can find his position on a map. So forget colour screens and all the bells and whistles, they just drain the batteries and are not needed (assuming he can use a map/compass/altimeter etc)
He's done a LOT of hillwalking, and actually rarely refers to a map once out on the hill, he plans his route in advance and sticks the map in his bag.
If in bad weather with poor visibility he knows where he is on a hill, what height he is at and what direction is pointing he can generally find where he needs to go!
If in bad weather with poor visibility he knows where he is on a hill, what height he is at and what direction is pointing he can generally find where he needs to go!
Have had an etrex HC (no card slot, and no elevation plot), and now have a Dakota 20, with GB OS map loaded on the card. (You don't get a card slot on the 10, which does have a compass it's just not electronic like in the 20.)
The etrex HCx would do the job, and are hugely cheap now they've been superceded by a couple of models, but the Dakota 20 is easier to use with the touch screen.
The etrex HCx would do the job, and are hugely cheap now they've been superceded by a couple of models, but the Dakota 20 is easier to use with the touch screen.
yellowbentines said:
Cheers for the replies, I ended up ordering the Garmin etrex vista earlier this week and my old man seems happy enough with it.
Is there any way of...ahem..'procuring' more detailed/better maps without resorting to spending hundreds of pounds?
google talkytoaster. Free OS style maps, but folks upload tracks to it as well. Useful for hill walking without public footpaths.Is there any way of...ahem..'procuring' more detailed/better maps without resorting to spending hundreds of pounds?
The "other" type of maps you kind find in the usual places. (However, I got my pucker GB OS for £60 on flea bay.) There are some genuine programs that will let you download certain map tiles, of smaller areas.
The basemaps on most Garmins are just pants.
Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff