One of the things I think worth mentioning is what batteries to use. I use recharging batteries in my Garmin Etrex 32X GPS and get the best ones I can find. At the moment I'm using 2500mAh batteries, I know now you can get 3000mAh batteries..These work as I use my GPS a lot. If I was ony using it say one weekend a month I would probable use lithium ones and take them out while not using it. Just depends how much your using your GPS.
I have always been fascinated with maps and technology and had considered a GPS device for quite a while. Recently the wife and me started Geocaching and got hooked, using our iPhones to find the caches but also quickly realised that on longer days out we also had to carry around a charging unit to keep the phones battery topped up. Also the same applied for hikes in the Lake and Peak districts and so the temptation was growing to buy a GPS unit. After a lot of research and being a fan and subscriber to OS Maps, my unit of choice was the Garmin GPSMAP 66sr with OS Maps installed. Not a cheap choice and was it the right choice? Further research lead me to GPS Training who had excellent reviews and so I decided to give them a call with a list of questions that I had. Low and behold it was John himself who took my call. He answered every question I had, was not at all pushy or tried to sell me a unit and gave a very professional break down of the pros and cons of GPS devices. At the end of the call, I was completely happy that the unit I had chosen was the right one for me and placed an order with John for the MAP 66sr with OS Mapping and a rucksack tether. The whole package arrived a few days later with the SD card installed, profiles set up and ready to go. GPS Trainings online courses are included and are a wealth of information which is a good job as getting to learn the many things that you can do is quite a learning curve. I have had a couple of hiccups but either a phone call or email has resolved the problem (thanks Andy on both counts), who actually came back to me on a Sunday evening - wow that is customer service. If you are thinking of purchasing a GPS device then consider these people and no I do not have any connection to them just admiration for a company that gives first class service.
I have to say after shelling a fair amount on my Garmin Montana i'm pretty disappointed. Decent maps (UK 1:50,000) cost more than any other country and cost £200 on top of the original £500, Add a bike holder, AA adapter and thats another £70. First and last Garmin I purchase and still considering sending it back after 5 days. The track width can't be changed on the GPS. It was a pain to get it set up with wifi/Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the TwoNav unit I bought which was cheaper and came with good maps broke as I opened the backplate, so that went back. If I didn't need it for mountain biking and hiked I'd stick to a map and compass... much cheaper! My original TwoNav is still going after 10 years and flown through the air a number of times. Just can't find a replacement battery for it.
Hi. Thank you for your video. My daughter is an avid hiker and I would like a handheld for her. At the same time, I enjoy boating on lakes and would like to use the same device for my hobby. Can you recommend a device that would meet both our needs?
Shawn, thanks for your question. Good timing, as last week I updated the best budget and top end GPS unit videos. Best budget GPS unit - czcams.com/video/72NsFLrTelk/video.html Best top end GPS unit - czcams.com/video/OhU_leOIzDQ/video.html I hope these help.
I started backpacking and I’ll be heading into mountains near me with no cell service. I want to be able to text my wife on the device, and have emergency service. I heard you mention you may need a subscription to a service depending on what you get. I’ve been looking at the 66sr… I want something accurate and worth the money I’m spending and don’t mind spending a little more for something worth purchasing. What are your thoughts?
If you are wanting a unit like the 66sr but with the ability to send/ receive messages I would look at the Garmin GPSMAP66i. Here is my recent 'walk and talk' with that unit - czcams.com/video/ZU324miP2JE/video.html
One of the things I think worth mentioning is what batteries to use. I use recharging batteries in my Garmin Etrex 32X GPS and get the best ones I can find. At the moment I'm using 2500mAh batteries, I know now you can get 3000mAh batteries..These work as I use my GPS a lot. If I was ony using it say one weekend a month I would probable use lithium ones and take them out while not using it. Just depends how much your using your GPS.
I have always been fascinated with maps and technology and had considered a GPS device for quite a while. Recently the wife and me started Geocaching and got hooked, using our iPhones to find the caches but also quickly realised that on longer days out we also had to carry around a charging unit to keep the phones battery topped up. Also the same applied for hikes in the Lake and Peak districts and so the temptation was growing to buy a GPS unit. After a lot of research and being a fan and subscriber to OS Maps, my unit of choice was the Garmin GPSMAP 66sr with OS Maps installed. Not a cheap choice and was it the right choice? Further research lead me to GPS Training who had excellent reviews and so I decided to give them a call with a list of questions that I had. Low and behold it was John himself who took my call. He answered every question I had, was not at all pushy or tried to sell me a unit and gave a very professional break down of the pros and cons of GPS devices. At the end of the call, I was completely happy that the unit I had chosen was the right one for me and placed an order with John for the MAP 66sr with OS Mapping and a rucksack tether. The whole package arrived a few days later with the SD card installed, profiles set up and ready to go. GPS Trainings online courses are included and are a wealth of information which is a good job as getting to learn the many things that you can do is quite a learning curve. I have had a couple of hiccups but either a phone call or email has resolved the problem (thanks Andy on both counts), who actually came back to me on a Sunday evening - wow that is customer service. If you are thinking of purchasing a GPS device then consider these people and no I do not have any connection to them just admiration for a company that gives first class service.
David, many thanks for your kind words about the experience you had from us and I hope you are enjoying your new GPS.
I have to say after shelling a fair amount on my Garmin Montana i'm pretty disappointed. Decent maps (UK 1:50,000) cost more than any other country and cost £200 on top of the original £500, Add a bike holder, AA adapter and thats another £70. First and last Garmin I purchase and still considering sending it back after 5 days. The track width can't be changed on the GPS. It was a pain to get it set up with wifi/Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the TwoNav unit I bought which was cheaper and came with good maps broke as I opened the backplate, so that went back. If I didn't need it for mountain biking and hiked I'd stick to a map and compass... much cheaper! My original TwoNav is still going after 10 years and flown through the air a number of times. Just can't find a replacement battery for it.
Hi. Thank you for your video. My daughter is an avid hiker and I would like a handheld for her. At the same time, I enjoy boating on lakes and would like to use the same device for my hobby. Can you recommend a device that would meet both our needs?
Shawn, thanks for your question. Good timing, as last week I updated the best budget and top end GPS unit videos.
Best budget GPS unit - czcams.com/video/72NsFLrTelk/video.html
Best top end GPS unit - czcams.com/video/OhU_leOIzDQ/video.html
I hope these help.
I started backpacking and I’ll be heading into mountains near me with no cell service. I want to be able to text my wife on the device, and have emergency service. I heard you mention you may need a subscription to a service depending on what you get. I’ve been looking at the 66sr… I want something accurate and worth the money I’m spending and don’t mind spending a little more for something worth purchasing. What are your thoughts?
If you are wanting a unit like the 66sr but with the ability to send/ receive messages I would look at the Garmin GPSMAP66i.
Here is my recent 'walk and talk' with that unit - czcams.com/video/ZU324miP2JE/video.html
I only camp on Dartmoor can I just buy a map for just this area?
Sadly there is no current map product from Garmin (OS maps) where this can be done, sorry.
Sorry to say! Sound is not great with de wind and water. 😔
Please accept my apologies, I need to use the microphones more!
I appreciate your feedback though.