GPS wrist top

[511]

I've had my mind set on getting a GPS for some time now. I would use it as a basic navigational aid, mainly in the UK. However, I dont know where to start!

I am familar with car sat nav. Do GPS operate the same way? Do you need to reference the GPS against an official map to get co-ordinates/grid references?

Ideally I would like to go for a wrist top type, as I've seen a few affordable Garmin models, plus they look very accessible. Can anyone shed light on how these work?

edit: Do GPS work internationally? Or do they need map software for each area?<br><br>Post edited by: 511, at: 2008/03/10 22:05

[swoosh]

sorry bro i can't help you out. i still use paper maps

[511]

I've just come back from hiking in Wales with my new Garmin Foretrex 201 and it performed superbly. The device is great for anyone wanting a simple back up tool to track and plan waypoints. Answers the question of "are we nearly there yet?"

[cavegorilla]

Most GPS units work basically the same way. You can use maps and get coordinates. I don't know about the UK but in the states we have several TOPO sites that is easy to use. You just need to look at how the coodinates are expressed IE.. lat and long, UTM etc...

As far as international use. You will need the map software. Unless you have a GPS with a rediculus amount of memory.

[511]

The Garmin 201 doesn't use map software and rather purely depends on gps co-ordinates which makes it even more simple and univeral.

I'm now trying to work out how to read the last 2 GPS digits from my map, but it so far has had me puzzled:S