Surrey TRF

[Red Wine]

Anyone got any advice on a GPS / Sat Nav System for Lane navigation and route planning.

[Steve Sharp]

Im old school and use maps. But loads of the guys seem to use them.

My observations are: the batteries get so shaken up they keep switching themselves off. It seems that you need a really good mounting kit.

Im sure there are loads of users out there who can tell you more.

old git

[DaveN]

Martin,
You've got two basic choices:
1)Garmin/Magellan or similar, dedicated handheld units. These let you create a route using waypoints - a sort of 'join the dots' approach, or with a PC interface and additional PC software (such as Fugawi or Memory Map) you can 'trace' a route and upload onto the GPS. You can also 'record' a route when you are being led, and follow it agian later. You will not get an OS map on the screen - just a line to follow. Some models do have road mapping which is useful. Some do suffer from a battery problem as Steve mentioned, but either packing the batteries with card/paper, or running the GPS of the bike's power solves this. These units also have the advantage of beind waterproof.
2) PocketPC based systems. These are based on a Windows/Palmos pocket PC, running MemoryMap or Fugawi (the latter is pretty crap on to use on a handheld in my opinion). Pocket PCs are fairly fragile, and you will need a Otterbox or similar to house them. These will give you an OS map on the screen - though it's not really viable to read on the move.

To be honest, if you are reasonable at map reading, then there is not great advantage to them (apart from recording new routes), I only use them because I love my gadgets!

Cheers
Dave

[Red Wine]

I have gone for the Memory Map Adventurer 7000p
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co. ... -walk.html
Has both road and OS mapping and is water proof.
Can be used in car or bike
Will be trying it out on sat

[JoeH]

I use a Garmin Foretrex 201. Great bit of kit - waterproof and built in battery so no issues there and 15 hours life.

Comes with a strap so can be velcroed over the bars or on your wrist.

Highly recommended.