What Garmin GPS should I buy

[Kranswurm]

I want to buy a Garmin GPS.I have not had one before.

I want to use it for mtb,hiking and 4x4.Not street maps.

I have had a look at the Edge 705 and that looks great for the bike but will it be suitable for hiking as well and will it take a mount for a 4x4?

Any advice will be welcome from the fundi's out there.

Battery capacity is also a factor for me

Thnx

[mountain_lion]

 

Getting one unit for all of the above is not easy. You will have to compromise.

 

For vehicle use you want a nice big screen.

For bicycle use you want a small and compact unit.

For hiking you want something in between, definitely powered by AA batteries so that you can change in the field on multi day hikes.

 

I use Garmin Edge 305 on the bike and Garmin Etrex Legend HCX for hiking / mountaineering.

Bought both in 2007 and have not had any problems (many others have reported problems with the Edge 305; fortuneatly I have experienced none with my or with mrs mountain_lion's units).

 

I don't have a dedicated unit for the car, so the Etrex has to do, although the screen is a bit small.

 

I upgraded from the original monochrome Etrex Legend (which I used on the MTB and for hiking). Was very happy with the Legend so got the newer upgraded Legend again. Should actually have gone for the Vista HCX to get the barometric altimeter; useful in the moutains. Just switch off the electronic compas on the Vista to save on battery life.

 

There are various newer models on the market now e.g. Oregon.

These have bigger touch screen, so should be easier to read in a vechile.

 

Also remember to check which maps are included when you buy a mapping capable unit.

Although the Garmap products are not bad, I don't own any and have not needed it.

I use Tracks4Africa's maps as well as my own topo maps.

There were no topo maps available for SA when I first started to use a GPS. I needed topo maps for my mountaineering trips so I started doing my own. Once I had all the scripts setup, it was just computer time to get a map set generated for the whole of RSA. As far as I know Garmap used the same source data for their RSA topo maps.

 

 

mountain_lion2009-11-22 06:11:59

[Kranswurm]

Thanks for that comprehensive response MLExtremely helpful.

Looks like separate units for bike and for hiking and 4x4 is the way to go.

Are garmin batteries removable like a cell phone so one can carry spare for multi day hikes and rides

[mountain_lion]

 

 

Thanks for that comprehensive response MLExtremely helpful.

Looks like separate units for bike and for hiking and 4x4 is the way to go.

Are garmin batteries removable like a cell phone so one can carry spare for multi day hikes and rides

 

The Garmin Edge series use internal batteries which are not designed to

be changed by the user (battery is not accessible as with most cell

phones).

 

I assume other Garmins which are not powered by AA batteries are the same.

 

If you want to be able to change the battery yourself in situations

where you do not have access to external power to recharge from, get a

unit which runs on AA batteries.

 

 

On the older units track storage memory was also an issue for extended

trips without access to a PC to download data, but the newer units take

SD cards, which provide lots of storage. Just make sure that the unit

can actualy store track data on the SD card. On some older models the SD

card can only store maps. For some of these a firmware update can

enable track storage to the SD card.

 

 

 

 

Note that you can share units between uses. You must just weigh up the compromises against the saving of not buying a separate unit. Your primary use will determine what to get.

I don't use a GPS in the car on a daily basis. My main use is in the mountains, so I got a unit which can auto route in the car, but is more suited to hiking. I just have to live with the small screen.

Some of the newer hiking units have bigger screens and might be more suited to share between car and hiking use.

 

I used my old monochrome Etrex in the car and mountains and also made a bracket to attach it to the stem of my MTB.

However having a dedicated fitness GPS (with HR) is much more convenient. Go for the Edge 705.

 

mountain_lion2009-11-22 06:09:55

[Schwynn]

Haai Kransie, kyk bietjie hierna: http://www.gpsfix.net/gamin-dakota-20-first-impressions/

[udxcob]

705 all the way

[Dirtbreath]

I was looking at the 705 but in the end decided against it. Have a HRM where I use the download software and rather went for the Oregon which has a bigger screen and seems a bit more practical to use for driving and hiking. I am still very new to this whole GPS thing so no sure I have made the right choice but time will tell. Oh, you can pair an optional HR belt with the Oregon should you wish. Also has AA batteries as I was not that keen on having to recharge the unit itself as you are not always guaranteed power.