GPS

[UlsterFry]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a decent handheld GPS?

I'm not looking to pay too much over £100, but would be good to be able to use it in the car for the drives home.

 

[Bravo_Bravo]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a decent handheld GPS?

Does not square with....

I'm not looking to pay too much over £100, but would be good to be able to use it in the car for the drives home.

Unless you are looking for second hand.

 

[SKJOLD]

Silva Compass and Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 map. Cheaper by far, more accurate and available via your QMs and training wing.

or

http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/Cat/1862

 

[chimera]

Ordnance Survey maps -

v handy in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan......

not

MGRS or Lat/Lon from GPS can be helpful sometimes when you haven't got 'church with spire' within easy view.

 

[Guardian_Reader]

If you can, get your GPS from the states. Its about £80 in the states, and REI will ship kit to the uk (not sure if there's any restrictions, I bought a shelter from them).

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...13&parent_category_rn=4500600&vcat=REI_SEARCH

PS If you're using the GPS in the car, you might get a signal on the dash board, else where in the car and the signal is likely to be blocked.

 

[cambrai]

Most people i know are using a PDA/GPS combination in the car these days

I bought mine from these people

http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/

Theres lots of handheld stuff on there aswell, wouldnt really recommend a handheld for a car though.

 

[Unknown_Quantity]

I got a Gamin etrex from Field and Trek last year for about £120, it is good, and the price has probably dropped. Its reception is very good once it's locked on to its satalites but if your under any kind of cover or near building getting the lock is a bit of a nause.

 

[Bravo_Bravo]

Ordnance Survey maps -

v handy in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan......

not

MGRS or Lat/Lon from GPS can be helpful sometimes when you haven't got 'church with spire' within easy view.

Oooo so Un PC - Its now POWSMOD - place of worship with spire, minaret or dome.

ie a bloody church.

 

[Moss Trooper]

Check out the Garmin Geko..

Basic Geko at £74 quid new from GPS warehouse.. www.gpsw.co.uk

after that think of a number

 

[SKJOLD]

Ordnance Survey maps -

v handy in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan......

not

So those Theatres of Operation are not mapped then.

 

[chimera]

Not by Ordnance Survey!!!

 

[Johnny_Ludlow]

Not by Ordnance Survey!!!

A map is a map is a map - Ordnance Survey or not - if you can read one you can read them all. The green bits are generally trees, the blue bits water etc.

 

[chimera]

Look back at the SKJOLD's original post and see the point. Cotswold camping doesn't sell too many maps of Kabul. And even if they did they wouldn't have a MGRS overlay.

 

[Bravo_Bravo]

Look back at the SKJOLD's original post and see the point. Cotswold camping doesn't sell too many maps of Kabul. And even if they did they wouldn't have a MGRS overlay.

But the issue ones ( available from RSMS Hermitage ) wil have.

 

[chimera]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a decent handheld GPS?

I'm not looking to pay too much over £100, but would be good to be able to use it in the car for the drives home.

To get back on track Ulster Fry after all of these classroom 'map and compass' experts have had their say....the Garmin GP12 is still the best model around for military and demanding exped use, as it is rugged, and has 4 LR6 batteries (most hand helds only have 2). It is easy to change between the grid systems that you will find on UK and US issue military mapping, and Lat/Lon for foreign maps that are often not gridded. The Magellan range is also worth a look, but avoid the bottom of range Xtrac - it is not easy to use in the dark, and is aimed at the outdoor leisure market.

 

[cdo_gunner]

Cotswold camping doesn't sell too many maps of Kabul

So Cotswold camping is providing maps to HM forces now eh?

classroom 'map and compass' experts

 

[Vasco]

....the Garmin GP12 is still the best model around for military and demanding exped use, as it is rugged, and has 4 LR6 batteries (most hand helds only have 2). It is easy to change between the grid systems that you will find on UK and US issue military mapping, and Lat/Lon for foreign maps that are often not gridded.

I've had one of these for a couple of years and found it very useful in a number of places. It eats batteries - a set will last about 12 hours if you leave it switched on.

It is optimised for vehicle nav using waypoints: it has a good track keeping facility and would be ideal for desert or ocean use, or even basic aviation use. It doesn't have a proper map display, unlike some more modern (and more expensive) models. For surface nav in close country, its best use is as a fixing aid, and for finding your way back to a starting point if you become temporarily unsure of your position.

Like all electronic aids to navigation, it should be backed up with more basic techniques, such as map and compass. If you mix the information from two different systems you will probably get something that is better than either alone - but I wouild say that combining GPS with map and compass requires greater skill than using either system by itself.

 

[hackle]

Yes, the Garmin 12 XL is a good bit of kit and well-proven. Mine is now 7 years old but the software has been improved along the way.

As already pointed out, GPS has limitations in dark woods etc (arguably the time you most need it!) but for me the main disadvantage is that there is no real compass/direction function except when you are on the move.

 

[SKJOLD]

OK, my fault for dragging of topic in the first place, my apoligies ulster fry.
I doubt your home is in Bosnia, and Ill have a wild guess you dont drive through Afghanistan to get there(all though it may seem like it at times).

Im no expert when it comes to GPS, much prefer the map and compass. for some advice try,

http://gpsinformation.net/ or
http://www.gps.gov.uk/

for purchasing try this
http://www.gps4less.co.uk/ or ebay

And just incase you feel like it
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/
http://www.silvacompass.com/

SK

 

[chimera]

SKJOLD for an ex - stacker you have a canny sense of humour. Still you served in 36 so I guess you picked it up there.