Hi all,

I'm a complete beginner in these things so apologies if my questions seem dumb. I want to motorbike across South America, with a shoestring budget and taking remote and quiet backroads if possible. Should I take something like a Garmin eTrex? And if so, why are they useful? Do they work a bit like a satnav or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Many thanks,

R.T.W.

There is much confusion about the terms 'GPS' and 'SatNav'.

If you determine 'SatNav' to be a 'GPS' with an electronic map then ok. But some 'GPS' units have maps ... so I'll move them over to be called 'SatNav'? I'm thinking of Garmins GPS map 60Cx that I have .. called a GPS...

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Do you need a GPS .. no. People explored without them. Do you need a map ... no ... people explored without those too. Do you need a camleback? No .. people explored without those too.

But you'll be better off with a good map. And I certainly like my 'SatNav' .. I find it more usefull on the fly than a map. For planing (the next days trip, or consulting others) the paper map is more usefull. If you want to get a 'SatNav' get it well before your trip to get use to it. At least 3 months.

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Garmins etrex models come in various flavors .. some have maps .. others don't. I'd certainly go for one with mapping rather than a simple one. The simple ones only tell you where you are (latitude + longitude) and the time. That makes it easier to find your position on a paper map (if it has some grid reference on it eg latitude/longitude). The mapping ones will tell you that AND place you in the center of their displayed map - thus you already have your position and can zoom in and out to see what is around you. Go play with one in a store. Other benefits of a 'SatNav' .. they can tell you sunrise/set times, phase of the moon, tides...

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Backroads are always a problem. Paper maps don't show them unless they are large scale maps - meaning you'll need lots of maps to cover a country. Same kind of thing with 'SatNav' maps - you need a lots of data to store all the small roads, and the screen becomes too congested when you zoom out .. so they disappear until you zoom in.

If you can map read no but have to know about off set for magntic North & true north, also age of the map generally most maps in UK are 1 to 2 years old these are standard OS 125000 map go to the OS site shows you the basics of map reading, you also need to remember to get of the bike & walk away when using a compass due to magnetic field.
also number of maps for such a vast country.

a sat nav, will give you the routes if they are there all maping items are only as good as the up to date info

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

You absolutely do not need GPS, but it sure is a great tool to have!

Ensure you load the appropriate maps for the locations you'll be traveling through, BUT (and this is a BIG BUT), don't depend only on GPS.

It's been my experience that GPS units die (destroyed in a crash, ruined underwater, etc) or get stolen. In those situations, you must fall back on the BIG TWO: Good paper maps and asking locals which routes are best.

GPS is a fantastic tool that will save you lots of time and grief, especially in big cities.

But always have a plan just in case...