General info > GPS
Which GPS?
There are lots of GPS units on the market from the traditional manufacturers like Garmin to new entrants like the SatMap, or software to go on your mobile phone. This can make the selection process quite difficult. So how do you pick the device that is right for you?
Dedicated GPS
Dedicated outdoors GPS units remain an attractive choice for many walkers, not least because of their robustness and ease of use. You do, however, need to check carefully that the device you are buying does what you expect of it. Less expensive GPS units will only display simple vector 'basemaps' that do not have the detail of a standard Ordnance Survey map. You may be able to buy more detailed vector mapping (sometimes called 'Topo' mapping) for countries you are visiting, but it is still not the same as seeing an OS map on screen.
The Garmin Oregon, Dakota and new GPSMap62 are capable of displaying both vector and raster mapping, meaning that you can view 'standard' Ordnance Survey mapping on them. You have to buy this OS mapping specifically for your Garmin device; note that you cannot transfer mapping from digital mapping applications like Memory-Map, Quo or Anquet. Garmin's Basecamp software allows you to view the mapping on your GPS on your PC or Mac, so you can plot routes and review your tracks (but note that there's no way of printing out).
Digital mapping specialists, Quo, have linked up with GPS manufacturer Lowrance to release a 'hybrid' device that works as a standard GPS but is also capable of loading Quo's mobile application. With this combination you can import the Quo mapping you have bought for your PC. Be aware, however, that it's a separate function on the GPS and you can't use the normal GPS functions at the same time (although most of these are duplicated within the Quo software).
Of course all dedicated GPS devices will give you a position, converted into whatever map grid reference you want (in the UK, OS grid). If that is all you need, perhaps just for reference in an emergency or to record your track while you are out, then a simple GPS will do just fine.
Mobile phones and PDAs
PDAs and Smartphones are probably the cheapest way to get 'proper' Ordnance Survey mapping onto a GPS device, especially if you already own a GPS-enabled phone or can get one with your mobile phone contract. If you are a user of Memory-Map, Anquet or Quo digital mapping software for PC, for instance, the PDA/Smartphone application is included (but note that the device must be a Microsoft OS one). Several applications including ViewRanger are available for iPhone, Android and Symbian phones. Memory-Map and Anquet both have iPhone apps available separately from their main PC applications.
On the face of it, this is an appealing option. The mapping really is the same as your paper map, so you can instantly see where you are. You are also able to combine several functions – your phone or PDA can be your in-car SatNav system, contact book, notebook, camera and GPS, all in one unit.
A number of advanced users swear by the PDA option because it offers so many opportunities for downloading free maps from the web. Using the calibration functions in many PC mapping applications you can load in a map and see your position on it anywhere in the world. This does make it very attractive for frequent travellers, though expect to spend some time mastering the art of calibration. If you are interested in this route read our help article on calibration. Garmin have recently responded by launching an application which allows you to calibrate small areas of map for their Dakota, Oregon and GPSMap62 ranges.
There are downsides to the PDA and phone route. The units are nowhere near as rugged and waterproof as a dedicated GPS. In most cases to fully waterproof them you need to put them in a casing or Aquapac cover. The screens are not particularly bright, making them quite difficult to read in sunlight, especially if they are under a waterproof cover. And finally you need to make sure you have charged them up enough before each trip, because you can’t simply slip in a spare set of ordinary AA batteries. You can get external battery packs but it's a slightly bulky and awkward solution.
That said, you can expect to see mobile phones become more robust as time goes by. Already mobile phone manufacturers expect the phone to be usable in the rain for a few minutes and capable of surviving a drop from a metre or more. Demand for increased robustness is bound to lead to more ruggedized phones in the not too distant future.
Dedicated PDAs
The SatMap, a dedicated PDA-type device that also displays standard Ordnance Survey mapping, has been making considerable inroads into the British GPS market. The SatMap costs around the same as a top of the range Garmin. Like the Garmins you have to buy Ordnance Survey mapping specially for the device, but they also provide access to an online route plotting application.
The producers of the SatMap have really got their act together recently and sorted out the problems that dogged some of their earliest devices. Most notably the rechargeable batteries now provide plenty of time 'on the hill' and mapping is now available for quite a few countries outside the UK. It is certainly worthy of consideration if you can afford the fairly hefty price tag.
Memory-Map have two devices, the Adventurer 2800 and 3500, onto which you can load the maps you have bought for your Memory-Map PC application. The Adventurer 2800 is considerably smaller than the SatMap, while the 3500 offers a similar screen size. They certainly represent good value if you have already invested in Memory-Map mapping. Note that you need Memory-Map v.5 on your PC; earlier versions won't work. The Adventurer 2800 is not strictly speaking fully waterproof so you may need some protection for it in very wet weather; the 3500 is waterproof.
Picking the right one
So there is lots of choice, and every solution has its pros and cons. There is no such thing as the perfect GPS. It’s all about what you are going to use it for, how and where. The criteria you need to consider really boil down to the following:
1. How do you plan to use your GPS? Is it a primary navigation device or merely a support to traditional map and compass navigation?
2. How organised are you? Are the sort of person who will transfer bits of map before going out and make sure batteries are charged up? Or do you need something that simply works out of the case whenever and wherever?
3. Where are you going to use it? If you want a mapping device you need to check that you can get maps for the parts of the world you plan to visit, or at least be able to use it without.
4. How rich are you? You do get what you pay for! If you don't want to spend much you may have to scale back your expectations or make some compromises.
5. How easy is it to use? Usability is a key issue, particularly on a wet hillside with cold hands. Think about the conditions you may need to use your GPS in (particularly if you have to put it in a waterproof casing to protect it).
If you are still unsure about what to get, one suggestion would be to go on a training course, where you will be able to experiment with different models. GPSTraining run some excellent introductions to GPS where you can do just this.