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Cellular forums Home > Archive > GPS > January 2007 > newbie GPS vs Sat Nav query
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newbie GPS vs Sat Nav query
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| Chris N Deuchar 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
I have been looking at the Packard Bell Compasseo 500
<http://www.packardbell.co.uk/produc...the-go/gps/gps-
compasseo/productgroup-35-53.html> (it is cheap and pocket sized
unlike the TomToms and Navmans etc) - but the PB website is hopeless
and all contact details lead to high street retailers who haven't a
clue!
All help/pointers gratefully received
Chris D
--
Dr C. N. Deuchar, School of Biosciences,
Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington Campus,
Loughborough, LE12 5RD Tel:0115 951 6264
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~sbzcd/
| |
| peter 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
> were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
> record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
> of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
> fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
> on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
>
> Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
> able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
> exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
There has been increasing product differentiation with many of the
models emphasizing car driving functions having a simplified user
interface and losing some traditional features such as entry of
locations by lat/long or UTM, automatic recording of the path traveled,
and creation of waypoints at arbitrary locations (i.e. whether on or
off road). Key features to look for would be tracklog recording (note
the maximum number of points and what options there are for deciding
how often points are recorded), user waypoints, and reporting of
positions by lat/long, UTM, British Grid, etc. using a variety of
datums. Also check the battery life and ability to change batteries if
needed when away from power sources.
Generally the more hiking-oriented units will have better features in
this regard than units marketed more for automotive use. There are
some units, such as Garmin's Quest, that combine both types of
functions, but with a few compromises as a result.
| |
| Jim Townsend 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
> were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
> record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
> of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
> fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
> on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
>
> Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
> able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
> exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
>
> I have been looking at the Packard Bell Compasseo 500
> <http://www.packardbell.co.uk/produc...the-go/gps/gps-
> compasseo/productgroup-35-53.html> (it is cheap and pocket sized
> unlike the TomToms and Navmans etc) - but the PB website is hopeless
> and all contact details lead to high street retailers who haven't a
> clue!
The Packard Bell unit you're looking at is designed for car
navigation. I'm not familiar with it, but car nav systems
are generally optimized for road travel only. (Confined to
navigating streets and finding addresses and calculating routes).
They lack many of the features that off-road hiking GPS units have.
Looking at the functions, I don't think you'll be able to create
off road tracks with this unit.
What you want is a handheld unit like the Garman eTrex or Magellan
eXplorist and the corresponding Topo software that comes with them.
The only problem is that the Topo maps are an additional cost and
they aren't cheap. The maps run around £120
| |
| Dennis Pogson 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
> were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
> record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
> of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
> fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
> on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
>
> Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
> able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
> exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
>
> I have been looking at the Packard Bell Compasseo 500
> <http://www.packardbell.co.uk/produc...the-go/gps/gps-
> compasseo/productgroup-35-53.html> (it is cheap and pocket sized
> unlike the TomToms and Navmans etc) - but the PB website is hopeless
> and all contact details lead to high street retailers who haven't a
> clue!
>
> All help/pointers gratefully received
>
> Chris D
Your best bet would be a handheld GPS with topo maps. Alternatively, have
you had a good look at Google Earth?
Dennis.
| |
| Ian Sutherland 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| > Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
> were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
> record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
> of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
> fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
> on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
>
Handheld GPS such as Etrex (or equivalent Magellan) would do this fine.
> Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
> able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
> exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
>
GPS is the generic term, SatNav is that technology usually applied to cars.
> I have been looking at the Packard Bell Compasseo 500
> <http://www.packardbell.co.uk/produc...the-go/gps/gps-
> compasseo/productgroup-35-53.html> (it is cheap and pocket sized
> unlike the TomToms and Navmans etc) - but the PB website is hopeless
> and all contact details lead to high street retailers who haven't a
> clue!
>
This unit is of the SatNav variety & as such is geared up for giving you
directions when driving.
Personally, I would think that a simple handheld outdoor unit would be
more suited to your purpose. You wouldn't even need to purchase topo
maps for what you want to do with it. Probable advantages would be
size, battery life, recording of position in lat/long and OS grid
position, track logs, .....
| |
| Nigel Wade 2007-01-06, 10:37 pm |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> Hi I am considering buying my first GPS - at least that is what they
> were called when I first came across them - as I want to be able to
> record locations for later transfer to a map - or for later creation
> of maps/diagrams. These locations will probably be in the middle of
> fields or woodland as I want to be able to compare what is actually
> on the ground with what appears on conventional (ie paper!) maps.
>
> Nowadays however everyone is Sat Nav orientated and simply want to be
> able to drive from A to B. Are the GPS and Sat Nav functions
> exclusive - or do most devices combine both?
>
> I have been looking at the Packard Bell Compasseo 500
> <http://www.packardbell.co.uk/produc...the-go/gps/gps-
> compasseo/productgroup-35-53.html> (it is cheap and pocket sized
> unlike the TomToms and Navmans etc) - but the PB website is hopeless
> and all contact details lead to high street retailers who haven't a
> clue!
>
> All help/pointers gratefully received
>
> Chris D
What type of maps are you wanting to compare to? If it's OS maps (I note you are
UK based) then you might be best with a PDA and OS maps installed on the PDA.
That way you can see exactly where you are directly on the OS map. Battery life
may be an issue though...
The OS 50,000 maps are available for the entire UK quite easily (Memory Map and
Fugawi are the two I know of). If you want 25,000 scale maps you can get them,
but they are considerably more expensive and probably require special order for
a specific area.
Also, if you wanted to turn the PDA into a "sat. nav." unit, all you need to do
is to buy and install some route planning software like TomTom.
--
Nigel Wade
| |
| Chris N Deuchar 2007-01-09, 7:33 am |
| In article <enllh7$ndn$1@south.jnrs.ja.net>, you say...
> Chris N Deuchar wrote:
>
>
> What type of maps are you wanting to compare to? If it's OS maps (I note you are
> UK based) then you might be best with a PDA and OS maps installed on the PDA.
Yes OS maps and the like. I didn't know PDAs could do this sort of
thing? Now that gives me a third technology choice :-(
> Also, if you wanted to turn the PDA into a "sat. nav." unit, all you need to do
> is to buy and install some route planning software like TomTom.
Gosh. I am now overwhelmed.
Many thanks to all who have contributed BTW. It is being very useful.
Don't stop!
Chris D
--
Dr C. N. Deuchar, School of Biosciences,
Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington Campus,
Loughborough, LE12 5RD Tel:0115 951 6264
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~sbzcd/
| |
| Arecibo 2007-01-09, 7:33 am |
|
Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> In article <enllh7$ndn$1@south.jnrs.ja.net>, you say...
>
> Yes OS maps and the like. I didn't know PDAs could do this sort of
> thing? Now that gives me a third technology choice :-(
>
>
> Gosh. I am now overwhelmed.
>
> Many thanks to all who have contributed BTW. It is being very useful.
> Don't stop!
Have a look at this. I have the Mio P350 with Pocket Anquet Maps and Tom Tom
Navigator 6 Europe loaded. Works well on the road and on the trail.
http://www.anquet.co.uk/
--
Arecibo
| |
| Chris N Deuchar 2007-01-10, 7:33 am |
| In article <HmMoh.43209$KT2.11972@newsfe2-win.ntli.net>,
arecibo@invalid.net says...
> Have a look at this. I have the Mio P350 with Pocket Anquet Maps and Tom Tom
> Navigator 6 Europe loaded. Works well on the road and on the trail.
> http://www.anquet.co.uk/
Now that is impressive!
Chris D
--
Dr C. N. Deuchar, School of Biosciences,
Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington Campus,
Loughborough, LE12 5RD Tel:0115 951 6264
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~sbzcd/
| |
| Nigel Wade 2007-01-11, 4:33 am |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> In article <HmMoh.43209$KT2.11972@newsfe2-win.ntli.net>,
> arecibo@invalid.net says...
>
> Now that is impressive!
>
> Chris D
I knew there was a third OS mapping product, I just couldn't remember what it
was called.
Memory Map, Fugawi and Anquet are very similar products. When I was evaluating
which to use their respective websites offered downloadable demo versions which
allowed me to try them out on the PC. My preference at that time was Memory
Map, but I think they all have newer versions available now.
--
Nigel Wade
| |
| Arecibo 2007-01-11, 4:33 am |
|
Nigel Wade wrote:
> Chris N Deuchar wrote:
>
>
> I knew there was a third OS mapping product, I just couldn't remember
> what it was called.
>
> Memory Map, Fugawi and Anquet are very similar products. When I was
> evaluating which to use their respective websites offered downloadable
> demo versions which allowed me to try them out on the PC. My preference
> at that time was Memory Map, but I think they all have newer versions
> available now.
I would still probably go for Memory Map, if Anquet hadn't released such a
wide range of maps and made getting them so easy. Their Explorer series is
superb and competitively priced. The entire range can now be purchased and
downloaded from the net, and although the website doesn't say so, bulk
purchases attract bulk discounts. http://www.anquetmapserver.co.uk/
--
Arecibo
| |
| Nigel Wade 2007-01-11, 4:33 am |
| Chris N Deuchar wrote:
> In article <enllh7$ndn$1@south.jnrs.ja.net>, you say...
are[color=darkred]
>
> Yes OS maps and the like. I didn't know PDAs could do this sort of
> thing? Now that gives me a third technology choice :-(
>
If you've a PC capable of handling wmv files there's a demo movie on the Memory
Map website (http://www.memory-map.co.uk) which shows the capabilities of MM
with both GPS and PDAs.
I chose the PDA option because I wanted the maps with me for cycling and so also
could use if for in-car sat. nav. Whilst it's possible to walk and read a map
at the same time you can't really do that on a bike. Having a PDA mounted on
the handlebars showing a real-time display of my route and current location
superimposed on the OS map means a lot less stops on routes which I don't know.
I can also print custom OS maps just for the route I'm planning on riding
(always carry a paper map), printed on waterproof paper they last a lot longer
than paper OS maps stuffed into the back pocket of a cycling jersey.
--
Nigel Wade
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