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GPS recommendation

GPS recommendation


Postby trailhombre » Wed Oct 13, 2021 7:11 am

Hi, I'd like a GPS device that gives grid refs and altitude, just to give a second opinion on where I am in case my map reading goes a bit off.

Is there anything that a) doesn't cost an absolute arm and a leg (> £200), b) isn't £16.99 from one of those mystery Chinese brands you see on Amazon, and c) doesn't include features I don't care about like heart rate, calories, horoscopes, etc?

Thanks, K
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby iain_atkinson_1986 » Wed Oct 13, 2021 7:13 am

OS Locate on your phone is free.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby ScotFinn65 » Wed Oct 13, 2021 9:29 am

If your just looking for current GPS coordinates of you location and current altitude, most GPS watches give these and a ton of other features. Garmin and Suunto are pretty reliable, in my opinion. Prices vary but cheaper models give these functions as standard too.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby Glengavel » Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:08 am

Garmin eTrex 10 has what you need and costs ~£90, plus another tenner or so for a belt clip or lanyard.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby iain_atkinson_1986 » Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:10 pm

The Garmin Instinct (watch) will give you grid, altitude, compass, gpx routes and tons more and is less than 200 quid if you go for the non-Solar version.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby WalkWithWallace » Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:28 pm

The Garmin Etrex 10 gives you that all important grid reference if you get lost plus an altimeter.

The OS Locate app is free and does the same. 8)
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby Glengavel » Wed Oct 13, 2021 6:18 pm

One thing I can't get OS Locate (or OS Maps) to do is log my route and timestamp each point. I get a list of lat/long points but no times.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby SteveNorthumberland » Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:05 pm

An app on the iPhone called “grid point uk” gives os map position, lat/long, altitude etc and is free
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby davekeiller » Sun Oct 17, 2021 8:38 pm

As mentioned above, if you have a smartphone, the OS Locate app does exactly what you want and is free.
You may want a stand-alone device as a failsafe, in which case basically every handheld GPS on the market does what you want and more.
The standard entry-level GPS is the Garmin eTrex10. RRP is £100, but currently on sale at Cotswold for £80.
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby thewaverider » Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:13 pm

I use Garmin E trax for around 10years and you can buy a map from Toastytalkers which is much cheaper than Garmin and it is his own map and not a Garmin rip off. I can't fault it. I use rechargable batteries with it which last a good 12hrs (I always take a spare set)
I have tried the GPS watches but find they lose their battery life very quickly.
The Etrax has been dropped, submerged in water, dropped in mud and still works
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Re: GPS recommendation

Postby Scraggygoat » Wed Oct 27, 2021 10:29 am

Basic second hand etrex or etrex10 from eBay. No need to buy new, save the planet. The newer Etrex is slightly more glove friendly and has better pC connectivity. They will be slower to acquire signal than a modern unit but have the advantage that the simple display eats less battery and they will be old fashioned batteries rather than internal which is another plus.

Only consideration is do you want the gos to run in the same battery type as your head torch so are you looking for AA or AAAs. Which might change the unit you are looking for. If AAA might need to look for even older farming gecko forerunner.
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