budget GPS

Post by **Michiel** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:00 pm

Hi,

Looking to buy a cheap GPS.

So far have narrowed it down to;

Garmin Nuvi 550
Garmin 451
Lorentz compact x5

Any experience with these, or other suggestion?

Michiel

Post by **Dennis** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:12 pm

Hello Michiel

(I have copied this reply from the "Porta Potti" thread, as it makes more sense here)

My hand held is a "Garmin etrex Legend Hcx".

It certainly does the job for me. Being so small I also use it for walking. It is the second one I have had. The first one I stood on when leaping around the boat (previous boat Winkle Brig) and it broke the screen:o.

When I came to replace it, I had a good look at the alternatives, but came to the conclusion that I had made the right decision the first time. So I bought the same.

Being a Garmin, there are lots of (Free) maps available for land use. I use OpenStreetMap maps which are updated weekly and free to download and use.

I have attached a file generated using the Garmin MapSource software (which is included with the eTrex) with an OpenStreetMap showing the track of my sailing (today), as an example.

Cheers

Dennis

CC19 #100 Mary Ann

Post by **Ru88ell** » Mon May 02, 2011 2:06 pm

I'd been pondering a GPS, but have found my iPhone to be more than up to the job. I have the Navionics and Memory Map apps, along with Boatie and Tides Plan. For less than £50 I have more information than I know what to do with, and from what I've seen so far it does all that of plotter costing over £1000 - and I can make phone calls on it!

See my blog for some Navionics and Memory Map screen shots.

Post by **Michiel** » Mon May 02, 2011 2:13 pm

Hi Russel,

I did think about that as well.

How would that work when abroad?
Would I be connecting and running up silly roaming charges then?
Or would it just be working remotely from gps signals??