Forgive my ignorance but can you buy a GPS unit with (preferably) OS maps on it? I have a book that used OS grid references but right now, I would have to buy a ton of maps and if a GPS was fairly cheap (under £200) it might be a hassle-free way of doing things.
Can anyone help? I'm more interested in its GPS and map display etc. than any other functions but whatever goes...
Some options to research:
SatMap10; or
Memory-Map Road Angel something or other; or
PDA running Memory-Map Navigator.
Sorry to hijack this post but I too need something that will get me back on the route when I've gone wrong . I had a Garmin 205 - busted now - but want something better really . I do take a map but bit of a pain when it's raining hard/windy etc.
I want to plot MM routes on it and be able to follow them.
Garmin edge 605 /705
what's the Micro SD card bit all about, and how much are the maps to buy for it? I don't want hundreds of SD cards or is that not how it works?
I thought the Edge only did lat/long rather than a grid reference - or has that been fixed by a new software release? Brownpants - Garmin's topo maps can be surprsingly cost effective if you don't mind them having features such as "The Pirate Bay" (cryptic? thought not!). The microSD on the eTrex is in place of the internal memory so with a 2G card that costs beans you can have full mapping for the UK and track logs galore.
Nokia 5800 with Viewranger OS maps?
[url= http://www.intomobile.com/2009/02/11/viewranger-brings-topographic-maps-to-nokia-5800-xpressmusic.html ]Intomobile.com - Viewranger[/url]
[url= http://news.softpedia.com/news/ViewRanger-Is-Now-Available-on-Nokia-5800-104361.shtml ]Softpedia Article[/url]
[url= http://www.viewranger.com/vrmapcoverage.php ]Viewranger.com[/url]
The 605/705 will give OS grid refs.
The Garmin Colorado will use OS mapping but isn't cheap.
I've got a Road Angel Navigator and couldn't really reccomend it, the bike mount is crap and its a bit on the bulky side.
Thanks Thepurist - Nice clue as to how to make it cheaper.
looks like it'll be the 705 then - when prices drop!
looks like it'll be the 705 then
Erm. I thought you said you wanted something that displayed OS maps?
whats the biggest sd card the 705 will work with is it 1gb ?
The 705 will work with a 2gb micro SD card (mine does anyway), it won't work with a SDHC card.
A 605/705 will only use Garmin maps (TOPO, City Navigator).
cheers dibbs
The 705 is a good choice for biking (if a little expensive). Feature packed and cycle specific it is hard to beat if you are training, but doesn't come with OS maps - they're extra.
The Garmin Oregon 400t is another option, but is silly money.
Viewranger sell 1:50000 or 1:25000 OS maps. You can even choose which bits of national OS map that you want by downloading a free Viewranger Map Chooser app. The more you download the more you pay. A UK road map is about £7 too. There are a lot of mapping options.
I'd be careful about bit torrent file sharing!
Id go for a map, a compass & GPS ONLY as back up. The Garmin Edge series is ok but Im not convinced about their durability, Im on my 2nd 305 as the first 1 took to the habit of shutting itself off. Worrignly, my 2nd is starting doing the same. If you do want a GPS get a proper handheld device thats designed to do the job & stuff it in the bottom of your pack out of harms way, only take it out when you need it. Ive seen a couple that have been mounted on the bars get trashed in wipe outs..
The Garmin Edge is primarily a training aid. There are many cheaper Garmin models that will do what you seem to want but within the limitations mentioned above. I agree with Repack except regarding the mount, I mount mine on the stem using a homemade mount which protects it a bit.
ps Touratech do a very good GPS mount as well but I would still be wary.
ive got a satmap 10, brilliant kit, has very sturdy bike mount, and os maps, can load memory map routes, or plot on screen, battery life with the battery pack is great, about 12 hours with screen on all the time
maps are expensive, but all the national park maps at 1:50 are available for £40, which is reasonable
Big drawback of the Edge (etc.) series is built-in LiPo? battery. When it runs out, you're stuffed (unless you've gashed up some kind of external battery).
Everything in the Garmin handheld range (ie designed for navigational purposes rather than running/cycling training) takes AA batteries - very easy to keep a spare set in a pocket. Colorado, Oregon and eTrex all take 2xAA.
I got the Vista HCx, then downloaded a 250meg zip file of the OSM maps, unzipped it and popped it on the microsd card. Hey presto, usable maps, with forest trails marked 🙂 and handy POI like petrol stations, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. all for FREE.
OK it's not OS maps, but should be possible to change the coordinate format to OSGB.
Another Satmap Active 10 fan here. OS maps on a screen that you can use and self-contained as well, which is nice. Like easygirl says, the rechargeable power pack is great and after a year's use, mine is still working fine.
I've used the Garmin Oregon as well with OS Mapping and it's nowhere near as good as a pure, outdoors navigation unit - for a start you can barely read the screen in any sort of sunshine and it's too small as well.
Satmap every time. Will also take std AA batteries for back up if required. OS mapping is brilliant and you can plan routes on the unit, on the fly (no PC required). Had a 705 before and no good for navigation although I am sure it's a great "training aid"
Satmap every time. Will also take std AA batteries for back up if required. OS mapping is brilliant and you can plan routes on the unit, on the fly (no PC required). Had a 705 before and no good for navigation although I am sure it's a great "training aid"
does that count as 2 votes?
Must have been an echo in the valley.. 😆
I have used MM on an old PDA with sucess.
Sat Map gets my vote too.
Really easy to nav by, and easy to set up as well
They're planning on having a route-share section on the satmap website "soon" which could be useful for new routes
I've just bought an etrex legend Hcx with full UK maps on an SD card for about 150 quid. They're not OS maps but they do show enough detail to point you in the right direction if you're lost and they're great for roads. Battery life seems superb so far.
nuttysquirrel - MemberForgive my ignorance but can you buy a GPS unit with (preferably) OS maps on it? I have a book that used OS grid references but right now, I would have to buy a ton of maps and if a GPS was fairly cheap (under £200) it might be a hassle-free way of doing things.
But you should never, EVER, rely solely on the GPS, so you'll have to buy the maps, or a PC-based mapping package anyway.