Which maps and gps?

[JJ Crafford]

Like several guys on this forum I too like maps and can loose myself for hours paging through atlasses and studying maps before I set off on a bike trip or hike.

Here's what I want to do: I want to buy the necessary map for which ever area I plan to 'discover' or travel through, then I want to plan routes within that area and use a gps to point me in the right direction. I will mainly use it on the bike, but would also use it on foot, so SP3 types seem a bit to bulky.
Someday I will have autocom and will then need voice prompt, but an on-screen arrow will be fine for now.

Having now read my requirements, and thanks for taking the time to do it, please advise me on the best types of maps and the most cost effective gps to use.

I have read many interesting views, but it seems my needs are far simpler than most.

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[JJ Crafford]

I don't need long explanations, just name of a map type and GPS model. Then I'll shut up and go do further research based on recommendations.

 

[BurnieM]

Have a look at the Garmin Quest;
http://www.garmin.com/products/quest/

Review;
http://gpsinformation.us/quest/questrev.html

You can only use Garmin maps in Garmin GPS receivers.
The Quest comes packaged with MapSource City Select Europe mapping
(which covers most of Western Europe).

 

[JJ Crafford]

Thanks BurnieM

I've looked at Quest, but price has to be weighed against frequency of use. Or am I totally underestimating the way in which GPS will change my life?

OK next question. On a limitted budget for the moment, can I buy a £100 Pocket GPS and have any real fun planning weekend ride-outs or should I wait a few months and spend big bucks?

 

[GSmonkey]

You could be two systems.....an SPIII for the bike, which are quite affordable second hand now; then get a cheapo bog standard GPS like the Garmin etrex for off bike.

I use the etrex for walking and its fine. I only use it to get co-ordinates to verify where I am every hour or so.

 

[BurnieM]

Thanks BurnieM

I've looked at Quest, but price has to be weighed against frequency of use. Or am I totally underestimating the way in which GPS will change my life?

OK next question. On a limitted budget for the moment, can I buy a £100 Pocket GPS and have any real fun planning weekend ride-outs or should I wait a few months and spend big bucks?

If you are a navigation junkie then a basic GPS with a grid based position may be all you need.

For everybody else a moving map GPS is very useful and gives you immediate 'situational awareness'.

If you can borrow somebodies mapping GPS and play with it for a hour or two I think you will be convinced that this is the way to go.

 

[adamski49]

JJ

I'd say if you're on a limited budget pick up a secondhand Garmin V off ebay for between £100 and £200 depending on your luck. Make sure it is a European base map model, comes with the City Select CD's and is fully unlocked - any deluxe package should be ok.

These are ideal for road navigation, albeit with a memory of only 19Mb, as well as for walks etc. I used mine to navigate around the French Alps and back twice and have since upgraded to the Quest.

As for Maps - Michelin. For France I have one to cover the whole of the country and then various Regional maps to cover the areas I'm visiting. They also help for planning prior to entering it all into the GPS.

HTH

Adam

 

[ebbo]

You would probably save money in the long run if you save your beer tokens and buy a Quest right from the start.

You can use it on the bike, in the car and carry it in your pocket.

It has a superb display, built in rechargeable battery and comes with City Select mapping of Europe.

Oh, and as Adamski49 suggests, Michelin maps. The good roads on Michelin maps are outlined in green…

 

[Deleted account W]

I agree on the choice of a Garmin Quest.

With regard to maps, I like the Michelin Regional maps.

I've also found that a good touring/route planning map is the Philips 1:1000000 series of folded maps.

Here

 

[laughingBob]

I'd highly recommend the Garmin V. I've had it for three months and used it for walking in the Peaks and on the bike with the Touratech mount. It's a nice compact unit in a robust case. I had the Garmin 3+ before and the V is even better. The V was £255 new from GPS Warehouse.

 

[JJ Crafford]

Thanks for the comments and advice. I'll now be checking out the V and Quest models. I'd probably end up saving those beer tokens (which in my case will be hard saved whiskey tokens) and get something to last a long time.

 

[birdseye]

Apolgoies if this is teaching grannie to suck eggs - but I think you are mixing up two things. The £100 handheld GPS's are true GPS sets which give you a location in lat / long which you can then transfer to a map. They give you other info as well (speed, distance to waypoints etc) but they dont contain maps.

Kit like the Quest is really a GPS/plotter which not only has the GPS receiver but also processing power which allows it to use raster or vector maps.

So if you are happy to stop and locate yourself using lat / long, then the simplest basic GPS will be good enough.

 

[JJ Crafford]

Thanks Birdseye

Any comments are appreciated. I know what you are saying, but have to admit I only truely realized this yesterday - before when I only understood how GPS woks, but did not know the difference which you pointed out again.
What do you know about the garmin GPSMAP 60C? Can I use this to upload maps that will act as turn by turn navigator or is it just a glorified eTrex with colour screen?
If you or anybody can answer this I am getting close, really close!

 

[JJ Crafford]

STOP THE CLOCK!

I've just answered my own question. The GPSMAP 60C can do turn-by-turn!! Answer found on www.gpsnow.com
Now to find the cheapest UK price...

 

[BurnieM]

The GPSmap 60C will do 'turn by turn' autorouting. It gives on screen instructions but NOT voice instructions.
The GPSmap 60C has 56 MB of internal memory for mapping.

The Quest will give both on screen and voice instructions.
It has 243 MB of internal memory for mapping (European model).

The Quest pricing includes a copy of MapSource City Select Europe mapping.
With the GPSmap 60C no detailed mapping is included so must be purchased at additional cost.