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Step 1 - Outdoor
GPS Devices
Price Range: Up
To £1000
GPS consumer devices orginally started
out as a satellite navigation aid that
was used in conjunction with paper maps
by outdoor and marine enthusiasts. These
units allowed them to work out their precise
location at any given time. The latest
models can now display their own detailed
maps and offer longer battery life than
other types of Sat Nav units
The uptake of these specialist units
has been driven by the growth in popularity
of outdoor sports and sailing. Many of
the features on these GPS devices are
designed to meet the individual requirements
of specialist outdoor activities.
Key Benefits:
1. A rugged
waterproof personal navigation device
2. Offer excellent
battery life
The key features
to look out for in Specialist GPS Devices
are the ruggedness of their outer cases,
types of screen displays, Ordance
Survey Mapping capabilities, ease of use
and battery life.
Build
Quality
Due to the fact that these devices are
used outdoors it is essential that the
outer cases can withstand serious knocks
and they are fully waterproof.
Types
of DisplayScreen
These units come with either black and
white or colour displays. Basic models
display pre-determined waypoints joined
together by navigation lines. More advanced
models can actually display your journey
in real time on detailed maps. The size
of the screen can be fairly small so it
is important that the unit can display
a clear image.
Ordnance
Survey Mapping
A base map is is supplied by the manufacturer
with the device. Leading brands offer
a range of more detailed maps that have
been developed in conjunction with the
Ordnance Survey as they can provide the
necessary degree of topographic detail
for safe off road navigation. Map upgrades
for different regions across the UK and
the world can be purchased seperately
and then inserted into the base unit usually
via a SD memory card.
Ease Of
Use
Outdoor
pursuits normally require a very different
approach to journey planning than driving
or pedestrian navigation. Users usually
have to preplan their routes and identify
waypoints from maps so they can ensure
that they remain on their route and identify
their position at any time for their own
safety. This requires the waypoints to
be entered into the unit before commencing
a route. These units can also be used
for city navigation just like Smartphone
GPS but
they do not feature voice directions.
Additional
Features
The
requirements of different outdoor sports
can be very specific. Leading manufacturers
offer specialist models for runners, cyclists,
hikers, mountaineers and mariners.
Examples of such additional features are
watch strap designs, training modes, heart
rate monitors, barometric altimeters and
two way radio.
Battery
Life
Outdoor Sat Nav units require a good battery
life to ensure that users can remain safe
in their chosen environment throughout
the day. This means that these units use
standard rechargeable batteries which
allow users to carry fully charged spares
as a backup. Typical battery life for
these units can be up to 16 hours.
Positives:
A durable high
tech device that you can really rely on
in the great outdoors.
Negatives:
These are specialist
devices that are designed to do one job
really well. Buying additional maps can
become very costly.
Our Verdict:
These units
are an essential tool for safe navigation
in the great outdoors. Their relative
low cost means that they have now become
an important navigation aid for serious
outdoor enthusiasts.
You can also
check the latest product reviews using
the links on our product
review page in order to shortlist
your preferred outdoor GPS unit.
Now check our
Specification Guide
against your intended Sat Nav usage:
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