[OSM-newbies] Advice on buying GPS logger

[Morten Kjeldgaard]

Arlindo Pereira wrote:

> No, I don't. Actually, I don't even need the ability to see the maps,
> since I don't want to spend so much money on such a device.

I can understand that you need to prioritize how you spend your money. That
said, I think a screen is almost indispensable when mapping. First of all,
if you load the current OSM map into the device, you can very easily see
what needs to be mapped. I take my Legend Cx whenever I go somewhere, and if
I discover a place or road that needs mapping, I make a note of it and
return sometime to map it properly.

Another thing I find very useful is to check the accuracy of the map. Many
roads drawn from satellite images are not very accurate, and you can see
that easily if you have the OSM map on your GPS.

Finally, the eTrex screen enables you to see the accuracy of the GPS signal.
You can go in the satellites menu and check it, or you can look at the
circle it draws on the map. It gives you a good feeling for how accurate
your GPS track is at any given point.

You can get quite cheap GPS loggers without a screen, but they normally only
have a LED that lights up when you have a signal. You can't see the quality
of the signal, and you can't see what's been mapped and what hasn't.

> It's a shame that Amazon does not ship to Brazil. I think that I'll be
> able to get one for the normal price someday when a friend of mine
> travels to US, or someday when I travel - maybe SotM '10? :)

Sounds like a good idea!

Cheers,
Morten