GPS-with mapping of Europe-for hunting and tourism

[Robert357]

OK, so I want it all.

I am an engineer and have been using a laptop and Earthmate DeLorme portable GPS pluged in to my laptop for a couple years now.  I really like it when I am in my truck out in the field hunting or doing engineering.

So much so, that I would like something that is "portable" and doesn't require tons of batteries and wires.  I would like to be able to use it for big game hunting and while hiking.  I really don't want to give up a map base that shows me where I am with topo and road features.  I don't mind adding an expansion memory card (I have serveral for different digital cameras.)

Now, I would also like to get something I could use as a tourist in Europe.  I have seen that many allow you to download maps and some of the map packages include other countries outside of N. America.

From my perspective I really am tired of lugging around a laptop when I need to gather GPS data and would never take it on a vacation.  However, I would like something with much of the capability I am use to.

I have looked at some of the PDA & pocket computer GPS stuff, but they don't look all that more powerful than a straight hand held GPS (although they have a slightly larger display.)  Some of the antenna add on-GPS units for PDA's look like they eat batteries as well.

If I wanted to get something for the back-woods and the streets of Rome, that was a handheld GPS with decent life per battery charge, so I could find both a deer stand and the Vatican, what would your recommend if I wanted to spend less than $500.

What would you say are the critical features I should consider.

Thanks in advance.

[Siskiyou]

Robert357:

Take a look at the Garmin iQue 3600 pkg with a 1.0GB SD memory Card.  You can find it on the Internet for around $530.  I think it can just about hold the whole City Select Europe.

The French company Magellan makes some gps units that may fit your needs.  Magellan sells the SporTrack Color (Europe) which has a 11 MB European base map, and 21MB of memory you can load MapSend Direct Route Europe on board.  The problem is that you might need your laptop.

Another Magellan option might be the Meridain model which uses 16MB SD cards.  Buy a number of cards to meet your needs.  A little pricy buy this maybe cheaper in the long run.

I have seen some great reviews of the iQue 3600 but a common thread is poor battery life.

My new Garmin GPSMap 76C has 115MB of internal memory.   I have loaded about 80 percent of California topos in it, along with a strip of Oregon and Nevada maps in it.  At this time I have used less then 57MB of the 115 MB of memory.  I am using the topo software which uses less memory then the City Select Europe software.  

The problem with most gps units is that the user cannot change the factory installed base map.  If they have a gps with a N. and S. America base map you are not going to be able to switch to a base map of Europe.  I believe you can make the switch with some gps/pda units.

[Siskiyou]

There are more PDA's showing up with built-in gps receivers.  Just looked at an Ad for Navman with 256 MB card.  It has built in US and Canada maps.  Unaware if Navman offers other software.  The price was around $350.

Does anybody know how these units hold up in an outdoor environment?

[Robert357]

Thanks for the advice.  I found at Staples on a Presidents super sale the Garman IQ3200 for about $350.  I also found at Fry's Electronics a 1 GB SD chip for about $79.  

The Garman can load US and European maps, it can load topo (hunting) maps and/or road maps with city features and attractions.

Lots of flexibility.  I have tried it out driving in some strange cities (Los Angeles is pretty strange) and in the country and it works very well.

From what I can tell it has about a 4 hour with GPS tracking battery life, which is very good even for road travel.

While the MS Window versions are probably more flexible, I opted for the Garman with the Palm OS, as my wife has a Palm PDA that uses the same hot-sync & charging cradle.  

I am happy.

[Siskiyou]

Robert357:  I am glad that you found a PDA w/gps that fits your needs.  I would like to hear your impressions along the way.  There are allot  of people in the working world that a PDA w/gps fits their needs.  

Do you think it would hold up on a construction site, out in the field carried by a Search & Rescue Incident leader, a fire chief, or a law enforcement supervisor?  I have worked with a number of deputies that carried extensive notebooks with information regarding the parolees, sex offenders, and wanted persons in their area with them.  One carried an extra briefcase with him every day with his note books.  Think what a PDA would do for him.  Another friend is a inspector on road contruction projects.  He has numerous contacts all day.  Again a PDA w/gps would be a handy tool.  These outdoor related activities call for organization, and are location knowledge and mapping are important.

Do you have 12v power source for your PDA and other accessories?

A couple of years ago I met an Australian Fire Chief visiting the USA.  He had his PDA with him.  He said he would be lost without it.  His did not have a gps receiver in it.

Keeps us up to date on your PDA.

[Robert357]

Robert357: ...I would like to hear your impressions along the way.

Do you think it would hold up on a construction site, out in the field carried by a Search & Rescue Incident leader, a fire chief, or a law enforcement supervisor?

Do you have 12v power source for your PDA and other accessories?

The PDA looks strong enough and its size is such that it can be easily carried in a shirt pocket so it would be out of danger and able to stand up to everyday use.

As to the 12V power supply, it came with a car ciggaret lighter plug in.

I am hooked!  I took the your advice and got the 1 GB SD memory card (on sale) and I suspect that lots of memory is a great addition.  

Now I am starting to look into various additional Palm OS add on programs.