MrWakett Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hey there! I'm completely new to GPS handhelds but I think it's time to get one now! I want to use it for two purposes: - Put on free maps for trekking trips in high altitudes. I want to be able to follow pre made routes and also track my own routes. walkhighlands.co.uk for instance offers maps in qu2 and gpx file formats. - Use it for my weekly runs to track the distance and speed. Important for me: - Should be small and lightweight. - Max. £200 - Best possible coverage / general feature set / performance for this price class - I would like to have a barometric altimeter My current favorites after a quick research: - Garmin eTrex 30 - Garmin Oregon 450 - I'm sure there are more good devices in that price range? Are there any new devices scheduled to release in the near feature? I will go to Scotland on March 23th and would like to buy one in the 2nd - 3rd week of March to get familiar with it before and implement the maps. Thanks a lot! Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment
+splashy Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Consider also the new Oregon 600 With high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS satellite. Quote Link to comment
+williupt Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I have a new Oregon 450 that I will sell for $250.00. It is new and I used it about twice. Just not what I was looking for. E-mail fishinbill@sbcglobal.net Quote Link to comment
MrWakett Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Is the Oregon 600 the only one that will come out shortly? Quote Link to comment
MrWakett Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Touch screen would be better for sure. Hmm Ok I will think about the two options I listed and then decide. On a side note: Are there any really good Android Apps out there which would help me as well? I'm not updated about the Apps as I'm using a Blackberry for my work in London but I still have my old Galaxy W and I could just swap SIM cards I guess. I already have an App for running but how about a really good App for Trekking Maps and Navigation? Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment
+northernpenguin Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 If you're using it for running, I am going to suggest the eTrex 30. It's nice and lightweight - lightest of any Garmin GPS that I'm aware of. You can pair it with a Tempē sensor for temperture data too. The altimeter self calibrates. Battery runtime is phenomenal - I get easily 20 hours on a set of AA Eneloops. Accuracy is very good with the GLONASS support - the battery life is typically double an Oregon 4x0/5x0 model. I bought my eTrex 30 specifically with backcountry trips in mind - I can carry half the batteries that my Colorado needed. Assuming 6-8 hours of navigation a day I can go up to three days on one set. Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 I agree. For backcountry use, the Etrex is nicer. It has much longer battery life and is more compact. For Geocaching use, the Oregon is nicer with the larger, touchscreen. Quote Link to comment
+coggins Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Go with the Oregon 450, within you budget and available currently. Quote Link to comment
+ikkiMikki Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Touch screen would be better for sure. Hmm Ok I will think about the two options I listed and then decide. On a side note: Are there any really good Android Apps out there which would help me as well? I'm not updated about the Apps as I'm using a Blackberry for my work in London but I still have my old Galaxy W and I could just swap SIM cards I guess. I already have an App for running but how about a really good App for Trekking Maps and Navigation? Cheers Chris I am still pretty much a newbie when it comes to Geocaching but came here to also find a good device since I am heading to Scotland & Ireland later this spring as well and want to find something that will help me avoid roaming fees since up until now I have only used my Android phone. I have found the c:geo app to be fantastic and last night was storing caches I want to hunt for on my trip. Cheers! Quote Link to comment
MrWakett Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thanks guys! I am not interested in Geo Caching, so I think i will get the etrex 30. And can u confirm that I can use the GPX maps from this link for example? http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/ceannabeinne.shtml How would I go with getting a map for england for example? What are the best free sites to get those for the etrex? Thansk! Quote Link to comment
+firestars Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 All the maps you will need will be here - http://www.talkytoaster.info/ and yes, you can use the GPX files as per your link Quote Link to comment
MrWakett Posted March 15, 2013 Author Share Posted March 15, 2013 Cool, thanks! Could you just let me know why one should get a GPS handheld such as the eTrex 30 if you can also have the maps on your GPS phone? I think I will get the Galaxy S4 and I just don't want to regret buying the Handheld now if there are some very good Apps around for Android and the S4 will certainly have the power to handle a lot/ offer a lot of features. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment
+northernpenguin Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Reason for handheld? Battery... runs out Rocks... hurt phones more Water.... hurt phones a lot more Replacement cost of S4 vs eTrex .... Quote Link to comment
MrWakett Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 I bought the etrex 30 now, cant wait for my 16 day scotland hiking trip starting saturday now! Quote Link to comment
+northernpenguin Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I bought the etrex 30 now, cant wait for my 16 day scotland hiking trip starting saturday now! Enjoy the hike! I would! I'll be using my eTrex 30 in Ireland later this year ... already got my OSM maps and Topo loaded up ... Quote Link to comment
Eugenejones Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) Hey there! I'm completely new to GPS handhelds but I think it's time to get one now! I want to use it for two purposes: - Put on free maps for trekking trips in high altitudes. I want to be able to follow pre made routes and also track my own routes. walkhighlands.co.uk for instance offers maps in qu2 and gpx file formats. - Use it for my weekly runs to cheap speakers track the distance and speed. Important for me: - Should be small and lightweight. - Max. £200 - Best possible coverage / general feature set / performance for this price class - I would like to have a barometric altimeter My current favorites after a quick research: - Garmin eTrex 30 - Garmin Oregon 450 - I'm sure there are more good devices in that price range? Are there any new devices scheduled to release in the near feature? I will go to Scotland on March 23th and would like to buy one in the 2nd - 3rd week of March to get familiar with it before and implement the maps. Thanks a lot! Cheers Chris You have got perfect choice. According two your needs you have made right choice. Have you got GPS System or still waiting for purchase Edited March 22, 2013 by Eugenejones Quote Link to comment
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