[Closed] GPS or phone

My wish list for a GPS would be (I think):
* Rugged, reliable and waterproof.
* Simple to use.
[b]* Long battery life[/b]
* Work with Memory Map
* Not too expensive.

That rules out the iPhone (and any Smartphone really, although at least with others you can take a spare battery with you)

I fall into the "two devices" camp. In the outdoors, a phone is there for an emergency. That means not depleting the batteries, breaking it or losing it because it's being used as a GPS.

I kind of fall into that camp as well - and have a pile of old 'throwaway' B&W Nokia's at work that all the staff use on hills/rivers for exactly that reason, we drop or drown them all the time.
So, what GPS?

I'm still using a Geko 301. It remains the lightest one out there and runs off (easily replaceable) AAA batteries. No mapping though.

If I decided that mapping was an absolute requirement, I'd probably opt for the Satmap.

I use my HTC desire in the hills. So long as I start will a full charge, it lasts all day. I carry it in an other box so it's shockproof and waterproof. Don't feel that need a separate gps device.

I'm just gone from a Garmin Etrex (old dot trail one) to a Satmap(*ebay deal 329 inc UK 50 maps) - and I still use MM on pc. (came down to satmap vs mm2800 and satmap seemed to win vast majority of reviews)

For me I wanted rolling OS map, having had it, I'm not quite so convinced - I can open the paper map and get a great context, with a small screen that's not worked out as well as I expected (but that may be me needing ato learn a new technique, it does stop the which left carry on you get with the Etrex arrow, as it's not always quite good enough at multi trail intersections.

They're expensive so I'd try and get a borrow if you're going down rolling OS (I'm in Berks)

FYI - MM (who are iritatingly 5 miles down raod from me) have been doing full kit ex sales demo 3500 for 280 and 2800 for 220 on ebay. If I'd seen that before I bought the Satmap I'd probably have done that........

So long as I start will a full charge, it lasts all day

That is the problem, I need multi day capacity.

*re multi day - IMHO Satmap battery pack change is HIDEOUS (really need chip pliers) - (or can use normal batteries), the MM35 looks a LOT better and you can get other battery packs as spares for both

Don't necessarily agree with the no battery life on smartphones.
I use MyTracks on a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, and the last time I was out it tracked me for 6 hours and I still had half the battery left when we got to the pub.

iPhone GPS tracking is woeful though, so if it was a choice of that or a GPS unit, I'd go dedicated GPS.

I've got memory map gps on my iPhone and it's the nuts. No problem tracking at all (although I'm never in really remote areas)

If you are using one all the time I'd go for a dedicated unit - iPhones are not really rugged

Just discovered HTC Desire + Maverik maps yesterday, amazing what you can now get for free vs £100+ for Garmin 50k Discovery OS mapping. Check out the OSM Cycle Maps and the Open Piste Maps, great for Alps trips. Pretty sure the phone is caching all these tiles locally too.

But, for me the battery life and ruggedness of my Dakota gets the nod, plus I know it's reliable, isnt going to have GPS issues and seems pretty indestructable. Managing GPX files seems easier to me too, but maybe that's just becuase I'm more used to Memory Map and Garmin units?

In favour of the phone; bigger and brighter screen, maps scroll better, free (now I have one) and I can use a spare battery or power monkey to keep it going. Would be weird fixed to my bars though....

My ancient e-trex stopped picking up satellites last week whilst I was out. I also had an HTC desire with an app than lets me use all my MM maps UK 50k and several national parks at 25k with me. I was up on bleaklow at the time in the clouds and snow with 20ft visibility. The phone is good for a quick check of where you are on the OS Map but I was really missing the e-trex for navigation. I did have a map and compass and several other with GPS's with me so I was OK.

[img] [/img]

I'm going to get one of these when I can get it passed the wife

[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000UNFLNS/ref=asc_df_B000UNFLNS1777836?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B000UNFLNS ]etrex legend[/url]

I use my iPhone most of the time with the everytrail pro app (£1.30ish) for shorter stuff and when I've been abroad as you can download openstreet maps to the phone so you're not reliant on a signal or roaming. Run in background it'll log around 5-6hrs from fully charged. I have an iDry waterproof case for it which works well but I keep it in my bag as I wouldnt fancy it on the bars.

But.. If I'm doing proper navigating then I use a proper GPS. Previously an Etrex H and now an Edge 605 which are getting cheaper as the new 800 is out. Fully waterproof and good battery life.

I've got an otterbox defender case for my iphone. I wouldn't take it swimming but it's fine in the rain/getting splashed. I have a fairly waterproof belt pouch it stays in when it's not in my hand.

Memorymap on the iphone is very good.

I've got a HTC desire with a casemate tough and an Aquapac for running Viewranger when out and about. Re. Battery life you could get one of those external usb battery/charger things. I got a tecknet 5000mAH one from Amazon for £22, it's about 2/3 the size of the phone so won't fit in my Aquapac with my phone but should be ok to boost the battery if you intend to leave the phone in a bag most of the time

cheers, will look into GPS units, shame as MM on iPhone =£25...