GPS Device Users (need advice)

[Adrian-H]

hello, i dont have much experiance with GPS devices, but i am interested in geting a GPS device that gives me a long and latt reading.

i want this for when i go out on my nature trips, to take gps readings at certain locations so i can keep records (where i took photographs, found things, etc).

would appricate some advice from GPS users, i have no experiance with GPS.

thank you.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Take a trip to your local GPS reseller and have a look at what is on offer.
In my location the local boating store has an excellent range of GPS's, so that may be a good starting point.

Look for facilities that will make your job easier(you can get GPS's with or without mapping, even contour databases and computer interface for download) and don't forget to check the battery life. Check to see if the maps are provided or have to be purchased as an extra.

If you can get a GPS that takes AA's as well as rechargeables this will help in the field, it's easy to carry a couple of extra replacement AA's along as recharging can be a pain if you're on foot.

It's also worthwile testing anything you're contemplating in daylight as some screens are hard to read in full sunlight.

[sheeny (Al)]

G'Day Adrian,

I use a Garmin E-Trex (the base model) and I also use OziExplorer on my laptop and PC.

I'm very happy with the E-Trex. It is light, simple and robust and performs all the basic functions very well. It doesn't have in-built maps, but the E-Trex versions higher in the range do. The E-Trex has a reputation for not finding satellites under tree cover, where the more expensive GPS's might. This purely depends on signal sensitivity and the degree of canopy cover. I haven't found this to be a big problem to me. While I have noticed it can have difficulty finding satellites when you turn it on under trees, it does well to hold onto signals while moving through trees. So look at sensitivity specs before you buy, if this is critical to you. The E-Trex runs on AAs and 2 AA Duracells will give you better than 22 hours operating time. The screen is easily readable in bright sunlight and there is a backlight for night use.

As for Ozi-Explorer... it's great. Arguably the best $150 bucks you'll spend (if you are into GPS and mapping activities) and it's an aussie product. gpsoz.com.au also sell a disk of topo maps covering NSW for just $30. Oziexplorer will let you view where you've been, save waypoints and tracks (a plot of where you have been) and up load them to the GPS, etc. Ozi-Explorer will talk to most if not all GPS's.

Al.