Author Topic: New gps for xmas  (Read 881 times)

Offline Swan-of-Avon

  • First Steps
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
  • Location: United Kingdom
    • View Profile
New gps for xmas
« on: November 04, 2014, 08:14:15 pm »
Hi Folks
My xmas pressie is going to be a new GPSr.
I have used a Garmin HCX since starting over 4 yrs ago but now too old and limiting.
Seeking advice on new garmin perhaps oregon 550,600 or 650.
Views,reviews advice and suggestions welcome.
Glyn ( Swan-of-Avon)

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


Offline tarmacjohn

  • Moderator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 1436
  • Karma: +30/-0
  • Anywhere is walking distance if you have the time
  • Location: Evesham
    • View Profile
    • My Faceboook page
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2014, 11:27:15 pm »
650 looks to be the one to go for. It's got a camera, a bigger memory and a rechargeable battery pack.

http://www.handtec.co.uk/garmin-oregon-650.html

But don't take my word for it as I have merely looked on the inter web.

Edited to add.

On 2nd thoughts, may be not as there appears to be no maps. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARMIN-TOPO-MAP-ALL-GREAT-BRITAIN-V2-DATA-CARD-for-Astro-eTrex-Colorado-Oregon-/191399067510?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2c9045ff76
« Last Edit: November 04, 2014, 11:33:03 pm by tarmacjohn »

Offline Bear and Ragged

  • Fell Walker
  • *
  • Posts: 636
  • Karma: +10/-2
  • *.*
  • Location: Land of the Bear and Ragged Staff!
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2014, 12:04:01 am »
Or TalkyToaster's OpenStreetMaps...
http://talkytoaster.co.uk/
I have a Geocaching problem...
Work gets in the way!

Offline Y6GST

  • Rambler
  • *
  • Posts: 186
  • Karma: +5/-2
  • Puzzlecacher
  • Location: Lichfield, UK
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2014, 02:08:28 pm »
On the Oregon 650 the NiMH Rechargeable Battery 'pack' is in effect two 2.4v 2000mAh batteries with a bit of plastic to hold them together, this bit of plastic presses down a switch in the battery compartment that allows the unit to be used as a charger when plugged into external power, other than that I'm sure that you can get better batteries far cheaper.

EDIT: You may wish to wait for 'Black Friday' to get a good deal online, also last year Garmin themselves issued a 30% discount code purchasing via their own website, maybe they could do this again?
« Last Edit: November 05, 2014, 02:10:13 pm by gaz_zippy »

Offline Swan-of-Avon

  • First Steps
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
  • Location: United Kingdom
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2014, 08:56:27 pm »
Thanks folks. Very helpful.650 it will be as good price on Handtec without TOPO and Santa hs already let me have OS maps.Nudge Wink etc.!!!

Offline Gackt

  • ABH Walker
  • *
  • Posts: 792
  • Karma: +12/-0
  • GeoVampire
  • Location: Cirencester
    • View Profile
    • about.me
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2014, 11:32:47 pm »
Throw a spanner in the works by suggesting a look a the Runbo range of phones. Going by the specs: dedicated GPSr durability, very long battery life, run android OS so you can use c:geo app and load offline maps, fairly decent cameras, and are also walkie talkies.

http://en.runbo.net/productview.php?id=226

Not cheap, but I am still have an eye on.

Offline walktall

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4038
  • Karma: +38/-7
  • the Peace of walking
    • View Profile
    • Yinglong
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2014, 12:19:37 am »
Throw a spanner in the works by suggesting a look a the Runbo range of phones. Going by the specs: dedicated GPSr durability, very long battery life, run android OS so you can use c:geo app and load offline maps, fairly decent cameras, and are also walkie talkies.

http://en.runbo.net/productview.php?id=226

Do you know of anyone who has used one of these or reviews?
Lets go for a CacheWalker  
CacheWalker & Cotswold Caching forums for the Cotswolds & beyond

Offline L8HNB

  • Rambler
  • *
  • Posts: 191
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2014, 07:10:02 am »
Nice looking bit of kit, and spare batteries are available though, £360.00 is a lot to pay for a 2G phone though.
My old Motorola XT890 has gorilla glass, a pretty good battery life and the GPS is good.  There is a newer version out now, that L has, and the battery seems to last ages.  She bought hers with Tesco vouchers rather than go contract ;D

Offline walktall

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4038
  • Karma: +38/-7
  • the Peace of walking
    • View Profile
    • Yinglong
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2014, 10:16:07 am »
As my mobile is getting a bit old and now & again have issues with it and my Oregon GPS is also past its best. I'm looking to see if there is a good mobile/GPS combo out there or has it not yet been invented ???
Lets go for a CacheWalker  
CacheWalker & Cotswold Caching forums for the Cotswolds & beyond

Offline Swan-of-Avon

  • First Steps
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
  • Location: United Kingdom
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2014, 07:48:49 pm »
i have done a lot of research on options including testing this forum but have not found any phone/gps hybrids  other than of course the ubiquitous ipads,Androids and mobile apps. which are not a patch on dedicated gps for serious caching.
Maybe,one day? Probably!

Offline Swan-of-Avon

  • First Steps
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
  • Location: United Kingdom
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2014, 08:00:38 pm »
Forgot to say I received my  New Garmin 650 yesterday from Handtec via Amazon within 24 hours of ordering it for £282.90 plus £5.95 post and package.
As this is my Christmas present from Mrs S-of-A, I cannot use it until the day but I have negotiated release of the quick start manual (first year level) but online info.much more helpful,but not from Garmin where the "proper" manual is currently unavailable.Don't you just love em?!!

Offline Bear and Ragged

  • Fell Walker
  • *
  • Posts: 636
  • Karma: +10/-2
  • *.*
  • Location: Land of the Bear and Ragged Staff!
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2014, 08:51:23 pm »
Forgot to say I received my  New Garmin 650 yesterday from Handtec via Amazon within 24 hours of ordering it for £282.90 plus £5.95 post and package.
As this is my Christmas present from Mrs S-of-A, I cannot use it until the day but I have negotiated release of the quick start manual (first year level) but online info.much more helpful,but not from Garmin where the "proper" manual is currently unavailable.Don't you just love em?!!

Worth registering it via: http://www.geocaching.com/garmin/freetrial.aspx and getting/extending Premium Membership for 30 days...

(Does seem to be 'playing up' at the moment, but the lackeys are aware of the problem!)
I have a Geocaching problem...
Work gets in the way!

Offline walktall

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4038
  • Karma: +38/-7
  • the Peace of walking
    • View Profile
    • Yinglong
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2014, 10:12:24 pm »
i have done a lot of research on options including testing this forum but have not found any phone/gps hybrids  other than of course the ubiquitous ipads,Androids and mobile apps. which are not a patch on dedicated gps for serious caching.
Maybe,one day? Probably!

That is what I thought as well but like to keep looking.
Lets go for a CacheWalker  
CacheWalker & Cotswold Caching forums for the Cotswolds & beyond

Offline tarmacjohn

  • Moderator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 1436
  • Karma: +30/-0
  • Anywhere is walking distance if you have the time
  • Location: Evesham
    • View Profile
    • My Faceboook page
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2014, 10:19:54 pm »
Dragons Den?

Offline Swan-of-Avon

  • First Steps
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • I'm a CacheWalker
  • Location: United Kingdom
    • View Profile
Re: New gps for xmas
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2014, 10:32:19 pm »
Maybe Dragons Den sometime, but not many clever electronics people (Cambridge?) realise the potential .
Maybe one or two are reading this.
Hint:- needs the gps and waterproof and tough screen which also encloses 3g or 4g phone access as internet not reliable out there,and about the size of a small Garmin.
Dream on.!

 


CacheWalker - for those who love geocaching and walking
© 2012-2021 CacheWalker

Header Image: Trees © Griff Grof