Handheld GPS

MB Lacey

I've gone back over threads dating from November but can't find any on Handheld GPS systems - so going to start a new one.

I go walking a lot around Wicklow, would like to go a little more off track but am crap with map and compass (have been on courses, no good).
I would like the simplicity of an electronic map in my hand with an arrow telling me where I am and what terrain is ahead.
Could anyone please advise me on a reliable gps with Wicklow OS map as downloadable option.
I would like colour screen, arrow pointing in the direction I'm facing and highly detailed terrain map detail - and waterproof - and that's as complex as I need.

Any suggestions (and where to buy from) very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

apoeiguq3094y

MB Lacey wrote: »

I've gone back over threads dating from November but can't find any on Handheld GPS systems - so going to start a new one.

I go walking a lot around Wicklow, would like to go a little more off track but am crap with map and compass (have been on courses, no good).
I would like the simplicity of an electronic map in my hand with an arrow telling me where I am and what terrain is ahead.
Could anyone please advise me on a reliable gps with Wicklow OS map as downloadable option.
I would like colour screen, arrow pointing in the direction I'm facing and highly detailed terrain map detail - and waterproof - and that's as complex as I need.

Any suggestions (and where to buy from) very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

First of all, no electronic device can replace a map and compass. They can break, batteries can run out, etc. I really recommend getting as much practice as you can with a map and compass. Using a map and compass to take a bearing isn't the hard part.. its following the bearing yourself, and deciding on the route to follow on the map that are tricky.

Secondly - in order to have a replacement for a discovery series map - you'll have to spend about 500 euro. You'll have to get the irish series OSI digital maps included.

Personally, I like to use a handheld gps that gives you coordinates only, and you still use a paper map. They are only about 100 euro. It provides a back up so that you know exactly where you are on a map. Those screens are small so i prefer to have a map that you can see whats all around you. Its hard to decide on a route if you can only see a small region.

MB Lacey

apoeiguq3094y wrote: »

First of all, no electronic device can replace a map and compass. They can break, batteries can run out, etc. I really recommend getting as much practice as you can with a map and compass. Using a map and compass to take a bearing isn't the hard part.. its following the bearing yourself, and deciding on the route to follow on the map that are tricky.

Secondly - in order to have a replacement for a discovery series map - you'll have to spend about 500 euro. You'll have to get the irish series OSI digital maps included.

Personally, I like to use a handheld gps that gives you coordinates only, and you still use a paper map. They are only about 100 euro. It provides a back up so that you know exactly where you are on a map. Those screens are small so i prefer to have a map that you can see whats all around you. Its hard to decide on a route if you can only see a small region.

Thanks, I do realise that there is no substitute for maps, compasses and the ability to read both - however, I'm not planning to follow routes for serious walking.
I mostly go into the hills to birdwatch - which takes you off track quite a lot, I just need a quick reference to where I've ended up and how I can get back to where I want to be - there are no great distances involved.
€500 obviously a lot of cash, so maybe your idea of a gps giving me co-ordinate of where I am and osi map in my pocket is a go-er.
So which gps?

micawber

MB Lacey wrote: »

I've gone back over threads dating from November but can't find any on Handheld GPS systems - so going to start a new one.

I go walking a lot around Wicklow, would like to go a little more off track but am crap with map and compass (have been on courses, no good).
I would like the simplicity of an electronic map in my hand with an arrow telling me where I am and what terrain is ahead.
Could anyone please advise me on a reliable gps with Wicklow OS map as downloadable option.
I would like colour screen, arrow pointing in the direction I'm facing and highly detailed terrain map detail - and waterproof - and that's as complex as I need.

Any suggestions (and where to buy from) very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

If you do a search for etrex you will pull up a number of threads on handheld gps'.
If you go the Garmin ror similiar oute you can do the expensive way , top end , OSI maps , c €400 - 500 for map and device.
You can buy a cheaper device and use the maps provided by talkytoaster (again search talkytoaster).
Recently I have used an app called viewranger on my android phone, which allows you to use OSI map tiles for a cost of about €25 for the whole of Leinster.
http://www.viewranger.com/en-us/product-overview/compatible-phones

apoeiguq3094y

MB Lacey wrote: »

Thanks, I do realise that there is no substitute for maps, compasses and the ability to read both - however, I'm not planning to follow routes for serious walking.
I mostly go into the hills to birdwatch - which takes you off track quite a lot, I just need a quick reference to where I've ended up and how I can get back to where I want to be - there are no great distances involved.
€500 obviously a lot of cash, so maybe your idea of a gps giving me co-ordinate of where I am and osi map in my pocket is a go-er.
So which gps?

The club I hike with uses these : https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=8705 (hope the link works- if not google garmin etrex-H) They are pretty rugged and fairly reliable as long as you have spare batteries.

Never used anything else, so can't really compare it.

I like the idea of the phone/app option... but usually the only time I'd need a gps is in really bad weather, and my phone isn't very water friendly.

If you know of a local hiking club you can go with, it would be good to get some experince navigating a hike. its a good way to learn. I find classes can only do so much - its practice that really helps.

burly

I have been using a Garmin eTREX Vista HCX for the last 3 years. I got free contour maps from SMC long before OSI decided to get off their a*se and issue digital maps and found them very useful.
I have used this GPS in Ireland, USA, CANADA, Alaska and Spain for hiking & mountaineering and find it to be a fantastic reliable device.

Check out these posts also. I started a similar thread when I was buying mine. Loads of other useful links within these threads too.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2696350

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=58861336

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=61675473

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=52473545

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056539114

MB Lacey

thanks so much for all that info and the links.

I went into great outdoors few days back and there's what looks to be a very expensive answer to exactly what I want.
€439 tho - with complete all Rep of Ireland (1.50) and by default all of GB (1.50) because they can't remove the base map of gb from the unit - so you get nearly €150 maps included.
Dublin / Wicklow mountain rescue use them as do most mountain rescue services.

The gps is called a Satmap Active 10 and it's getting rave reviews (from googling anyway).

http://www.mountainrescue.ie/node/452

Dawn Rider

I'm looking for a GPS for hillwalking and was thinking of this Garmin eTrex 10.
http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=94&products_id=193334

Any views?

I only want something to give me co-ordinates in case of a whiteout, as I always carry a map and compass.