I just need a GPS that will simply tell me my co-ordinates - no other functionality required - so that I can look on an Ordnance Survey/Alps map and immediately know where I am - although it does need to work in remote/valley locations for obvious reasons, and will need a good battery life!
Can anyone recommend anything?
The bright yellow Garmin e-trex H for £60-85 (depending on where you look) looks suitable, but I haven't read any review/description that clearly states that it has the one function I need (capability to tell me my co-ordinates). I'd be surprised if it couldn't do this, though, as it seems to be a fundamental element of what a GPS system is for! I wonder though if there's anything even cheaper (sub £50?) given the limited functionality I need (but I like the sound of the e-trex h because it apparently has very good reception).
Also, can I safely assume that the data given to me about my co-ordinates by a basic GPS device will translate to the co-ordinates given on an Ordnance Survey/Alps map?
e trex h will do what you need, gives coordinates as BNG and Long/lat
mobile phone with gps will give coordinates in lat/long
+ 1 for etrex h. cheap easy to use robust and accurate. I run one on a bar mount.
yep the yellow garmin e-trex will give you an OS UK grid ref / lat & long and many other formats if you wish.....
Lat long can be convered to OS National grid, but it's a faff. So avoid stuff that doesn't give you National Grid as a native output.
Thanks, I'll invest. Does anyone know if it can also provide co-ordinate data for use on maps of the Alps?
Has a load of different datums, will have a look...
hmmmm, has Swiss and German grids amongst others as well as a "user UTM grid" that you can set yourself (if you understand it). Do you know what grid you would want?
Cheers, it's "IGN", which is I think the French equivalent to the OS, for the Chamonix area. This is the map I'll be using: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chamonix-Mont-Blanc-3630OT-Outstanding-Weather/dp/0755835034