[OSM-talk] Recommendations for a new GPS Device?

[Kai Krueger]

Given that the Garmin eTrex Legend supporters seem to be the most
vocal group, I would like to chime in and try and uphold the benefits
of a simple GPS bluetooth receiver instead. ;-)

Personally, I find the combination of a small stand alone GPS receiver
in combination with a bluetooth enabled mobile phone to display the
maps the most convenient solution for what I generally use GPS for
(navigating and mapping in urban areas).  Given that nearly everyone
has a phone now-a-days and large proportion of these (mid range and
above) are powerful enough to display detailed maps, record traces and
give turn by turn navigation instructions, all you need to get a "full
featured mapping hand held" is a simple bluetooth receiver, which
doesn't even need to support logging on its own. You can get some
decent ones for about 20 - 30 pounds making this significantly cheaper
than buying e.g. a Garmin. I also generally find it more flexible as
one can easily install new software on the phone (with java, even on
non smart phones) to pick the application that best fits ones needs
and there are quite a few of them by now that support OSM
(http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Making_Tracks_with_Homebrew-ware#Mobile_Phones_.2F_J2ME).
Given that a bunch of them are open source, you can also always add a
feature your self or convince some one else to add it for you if you
find non of the software have what you want already.  Many phones by
now also have bigger screens with higher resolution than the Legend
HCX providing a better more readable map.
Having to carry two devices with you is of cause a bit of a
disadvantage, but if you are carrying  your phone with you anyway, the
additional weight and bulk may actually be smaller than that of a
dedicated gps hand held.

That said, I think there is also no question that Garmins do have
their advantages as well especially if you want to go on extended
outdoor activities. They are generally more tough and water proof than
your typical mobile phone or gps logger. The battery life is probably
somewhat better (it is mainly the mobile phone that probably runs out
of battery quicker running e.g. a Java program rendering maps all day)
and the more sophisticated ones such as the 60Csx have built-in
electronic compasses and barometric altimeters which can be really
quite useful for e.g. pedestrian navigation.

Kai