[OSM-talk] [OSM-dev] Do any sat-navs log?

[Andy Robinson]

David,

First off, welcome :-)

You may be better directing your question to the talk list (I've copied this
there).

The choice of unit really depends on what you want to do with it in addition
to logging tracks for OSM.

1. If you plan to do outdoor stuff - hiking cycling etc - then you want a
traditional handheld type unit. The Garmin handhelds being up there with the
best. An extra question relates to maps. If you just want it to log your
position then a NaviGPS or non-map enabled Garmin or other cheaper end
handheld will suffice. If you want to display maps, even OSM maps, you need
a handheld that can display maps.
2. If your primary interest is only in the car then the PDA route has some
benefits in that you can use it for other things too. I have an n35 which I
use in the car and a few other tasks besides, however it's pretty much
useless outdoors and so I have a Garmin handheld as well. Note also that the
Garmin will of course work in the car as well but are not good at night and
don't give you directions when you get lost ;-)
3. An in car Sat Nav system is really only suitable for the car and not much
else. Benefit of course is you will rarely get lost when driving. Some will
log a track, but certainly not the majority. Also you have to watch that the
log does not "snap" to the map. Normally this can be turned off though.
4. A wired or wireless device (puck or mouse) connected to a laptop or
mobile phone. This route requires more than one device but a good number of
users go this route, partly because there are no  real restrictions on size
of trcaklog (something that can limit handhelds to some degree). You can
also find the best GPS chip currently (SirfStar III) in many of the
wired/wirless pucks at affordable prices. This technology still carries a
premium in terms of cost on most commercial handheld units.

There is plenty of gps reviews on the wiki at
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/GPS_Reviews

Ask some specific questions on any of the main units available

Cheers

Andy

Andy Robinson
Andy_J_Robinson at blueyonder.co.uk 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: dev-bounces at openstreetmap.org [mailto:dev-bounces at openstreetmap.org]
>On Behalf Of David Stevenson
>Sent: 22 February 2007 7:25 PM
>To: dev at openstreetmap.org
>Subject: [OSM-dev] Do any sat-navs log?
>
>I am new to GPS, and like the look of the project so I was thinking of
>buying a GPS so I can improve the map round here.
>I have looked at the Locosys GPS Tracker GT-11/BGT-11 and it looks fine,
>but will do much else. I was although toying with the idea of sat-nav
>for the car.
>I think the Acer n35 can do both, but neither very well.
>
>Do any of the better sat nav units also store track points?
>
>David
>
>
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