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Hi Guys,
I have questions regarding handheld GPS units. I am in the market to get a GPS, but I must admit that I don't have R5500 for a Garmin Oregon. It sure looks impressive on the Garmin & Cape Union Mart websites, but I think I could only afford something thats more basic, yet just as functional. What GPS's are you using? Do you necessarily need a unit with a huge colour lcd display that shows contour lines etc. Or is something like the eTrex just as suitable for accurately navigating your way through the valleys and gulleys of the drakensberg? Do the cheaper models allow you to record a 'bread crumb trail', and ultimately find your way to out of the way destinations?
I am just keen to know what you guys are using, how you use them, the things you do and don't like about them, and any other info on a good all-round model to choose when I go shopping.
Many thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt

I bought an E-trex H a few years ago as my first GPS, and am still using it today. All in all, as a basic entry level gps is does the job pretty well. It is very accurate, with a highly sensitive receiver, and is quite durable, as well as being decently waterproof. As far as I remember it was designed to be able to last about 30 minutes comletely submerged in water.

On the con side, the unit doesnt come with a pc cable, and after seeing that the cable's price was around R500 I decided it wouldnt be worth it. This means I have to manually enter all the waypoints using the hard rubber buttons, which is quite a mission if you have a whole lot to enter at once. I have tried the unit with the cheap eveready batteries, and they simply do not survive in cold weather, after about an hour the units dead. However with the more expensive longer lasting batteries, Ive been quite impressed with the battery life.

Anyone using a smartphone as gps unit? like an iphone or blackberry? just wondering out of interest how accurate they are? i suppose they also lack the software that a proper gps unit comes with.

I've recently started playing around using my Samsung Galaxy S with an app called "My Tracks", its pretty good for recording tracks then viewing on google earth. Theres also an app called "Maverick' which seems pretty good for navigating towards waypoints etc. I'm still waiting for the Google Earth app to be made available to SA, that will be awesome!

60csx everything you need and bullet proof they have been replaced now with a 60s which is even better.

I recently got a 62s. I've only used it twice and still getting to grips with Base Camp, but seems to have all one would generally need, comes with USB cable and can transfer wirelessly with compatible units. I've loaded the cave and pass gpx data from VE on to it, and trying to sort out scans of my berg maps to be able to use them as the base map ("custom maps" Garmin call it- anyone done this?). Also, found prices on line (in South Africa) were way better than the stores, although wasn't impressed with the service from the store I brought it from.