Re: gps software for walking


"Paul Saunders" <pvs1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:f2bvah$2oq$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JRS wrote:

I have used an Ipaq with a Bluetooth GPS receiver (£30 EBay) and
Anquet mapping (National parks can be had cheaply). It looks pretty
but is not as functional as even a basic mapping GPS which can
probably be had for less than £100.

Really? Are mapping units they that cheap nowadays? I thought they still
cost a lot more than that. And of course, you have to buy the map software
as well, and that's not cheap. Also, when you say "basic mapping", isn't
that a contradiction in terms? Basic units don't have mapping, if they do,
then they aren't basic.

But more to the point, I'm curious as to what you mean by a mapping unit
being more functional. Do you mean that it's more convenient to use (i.e.
self-contained) with better waterproofing and battery life, or that the
GPS has more usable features, like waypoints, routes, goto buttons and so
on? I've never used a palmtop/Anquet type GPS so I can't really comment on
them.

Or are you referring to the map details themselves being more accurate?
This is something I've noticed with the road mapping. At complex junctions
like motorway roundabouts, with lots of slip roads, it's amazing how
accurately the car is positioned on the map if you zoom right in. When
following dual carriageways, they are shown as two separate roads on the
GPS and the car is always on the correct one (good signal permitting of
course). OS maps aren't that accurate. The width of roads is exaggerated
to make reading easier, if they were shown at their correct widths they'd
appear as really thin lines on the map.

Whether you need that degree of accuracy is another matter though, many
might argue that simply being able to see where you are on an OS map is
good enough. Another good feature of mapping units is the ability to zoom
in and out. While some may criticise the relative lack of detail on GPS
mapping, being able to zoom out is great for an overview, especially when
the detail is thinned out as you do so. Likewise, being able to zoom in,
far more than you can on an OS map, is great when you have complex
contours to deal with.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod3429.html

I have seen these go 2nd hand for not much more than £50 and national parks
on anquet can be had for £20

I would call it basic compared to this:

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod3041.html

which is what I use.

I can only speak for Anquet on an Ipaq but in terms of it navigation
abilities and facilities its functionality (route / waypont management, etc)
is limited alongside a dedicated GPS unit as well as being fragile with poor
battery life and the need for a seperate receiver as mentioned. I don't use
it any more. Following your position on an O/S map on screen looks pretty
for a while but I didn't find it a very effective navigational tool. perhaps
spending a bit more time on it would have helped but the 60csx was so much
easier to use.

I didn't use it long enough to identify accuracy issues but I have noticed
that when I draw a route on a road in anquet it does not always lie exactly
on the road that the 60csx has in its memory. The 60csx is very accurate in
this respect and when I stand on the road it shows me on the road whereas my
line from the o/s mapping may be slightly off. I put this down to not
drawing accurately at high enough zoom but sometimed however accurately I
draw a route on a footpath the GPS will occasionally show me off course even
though I'm on the footpath. This happens even with an excellent signal.

I only use routes and waypoints downloaded to my 60csx from anquet in
conjunction with european street level mapping (metroguide v8 almost whole
of europe on 2gb SD card) - I occasionally like to check position with a
road or know how close I am to one if anything goes wrong. Its also useful
if I am trying to drive to the start of a walk. My mate has the garmin topo
s/ware and it lacks detail for me - particulalry with respect to footpaths.
Jon







.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: GPS thingy?
    ... >I saw some of the discussion about GPS mapping or making routes? ... Those of us who are doing mapping with them have additional software (ranges ... Even though Garmin doesn't publish their data format to upload the map data ... we have a stationary antenna mounted nearby which transmits what it sees ...
    (rec.sport.skating.inline)
  • Re: Basic questions about GPS devices
    ... How are maps made available to GPS devices? ... The assumption is that the mapping needs will vary from one user to ... Or is there third-party trail map data available? ... are shown on topo mapping. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Handheld GPS adaptible to aviation
    ... As a student you need to concentrate on your own navigation and flying skills using the standard instruments. ... After you are out on your own with a PPL, you can begin to use a GPS. ... Aviation GPS's need periodic map updates. ... But that's not a mapping unit. ...
    (rec.aviation.piloting)
  • Re: Best GPS for Motorcycle Trailriding?
    ... I have had power supplies for the GPS ... the Garmin mapping is useless. ... want auto routing on a trail bike as you will not be able to ride th ... When I use my BMW 1150 Adventure I have the Pocket ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: High Resolution GPS Location and Orientation Mapping
    ... Mapping In A Vertebrate Taphonomic Quarry. ... And it doesn't demonstrate that GPS ... subcentimeter accuracy) can be placed on either end of the bone to ... It was published in 2000 by the Geological Society of America. ...
    (talk.origins)