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What you suggest I use GPS? What you suggest I use GPS?
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  #1  
Old 18 Jun 2010
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What you suggest I use GPS?
Well, as I am preparing comment on the trip through Europe and Asia. Need to know that GPS is ideal for this trip, and know where I can get the maps for the GPS and its cost.

I would not mind buying a second hand if in good condition, I think you are fans of the Garmin, but I wonder if the cost of maps is very high.

The maps should be in the GPS are France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

What you suggest I use GPS?.

How much does it cost each map of each country?. I would like to include in the GPS, camping files you put in the forums.


Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 18 Jun 2010
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Hola, plenty of free GPS maps, just look through the GPS section of this site.
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  #3  
Old 19 Jun 2010
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I can only talk about the GPS I have...

I have the Garmin 60CSX and really like it. The screen might be a bit small for bike use and buttons are also small for gloves, but besides from that, a great unit. You can use micro sd card with maximum memory of 2gb

You can normally buy the 'City Navigator' maps cheaper when you buy a new unit. You can also buy a complete mapset for Europe but not sure how much it cost. For example, if you buy the Southern Africa mapset without a unit here in RSA, it will cost you around R1,200 (about Euro120). The 60CSX loaded with the maps can be bought for around R3,500.
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Pumba Ok, I've been watching the Garmin 60CSx and is very similar to TomTom I have ... Would it be worth buying the garmin or is it better to increase my TomTom maps? which more reliable?.

Keep in mind that if I go to countries in Asia, you may not find maps for the TOMTOM.

Thanks!
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis_HD View Post
Pumba Ok, I've been watching the Garmin 60CSx and is very similar to TomTom I have ... Would it be worth buying the garmin or is it better to increase my TomTom maps? which more reliable?.

Keep in mind that if I go to countries in Asia, you may not find maps for the TOMTOM.

Thanks!
I don't really know much about tomTom, because I've only had the 60csx. Most free maps and Tracks4Africa are easier to use/more compatible with Garmin from my understanding.

On reliability, again I've only used the 60csx and have never had any trouble. It is water proof, can be used for 15-20 hours on 2 AA batteries (can obviously also be plugged in the whole time) and the size of a biggish mobile phone.
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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I foolishly lost my Garmin Quest and so had to replace it.

I got an eTrex HCX.

Advantages:
  • Decent screen
  • Small
  • robust
  • waterproof
  • Micro SD slot to up memory
  • Battery life OK
  • Can buy RAM cable to run off the bike
Disadvantages:
  • Not easy to operate when riding (not that you should)
  • Light goes off after 10 secs regardless: a PITA when trying to navigate at night: you have to nudge any key for it to re-activate
I have used those free maps: they are fine...
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  #7  
Old 28 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
Disadvantages:
  • Light goes off after 10 secs regardless: a PITA when trying to navigate at night: you have to nudge any key for it to re-activate
I have used those free maps: they are fine...
Page 37 of the handbook for the Vista HCx I have states that the backlight timeout in the display settings can be set to stay on. I have set mine to only switch off the light when the external power is lost to alert me but it otherwise stays on at the level I set with the power switch/thumb rocker.

I have the Europe Garmin routable city nav on microSD (cannot be used n a computer, GPS only but cheaper) as well as the Topo GB on disc (route planned on computer then transferred to card but more expensive) and both are very good. But as I wanted more countries and also be able to route plan in Europe on my computer, I tried the OpenSourceMaps found HERE. These maps are full of POI data and reasonably accurate, certainly enough to navigate by. Best though is that they are free and routable on your computer and GPS. They also work on MapSource (on PC) & RoadTrip on (Mac).
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  #8  
Old 28 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motomal View Post
Page 37 of the handbook for the Vista HCx I have states that the backlight timeout in the display settings can be set to stay on.

How did I miss that?!

Great tip and now sorted!!

Cheers.
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  #9  
Old 28 Jun 2010
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Indeed, lots of possible free solutions out there.
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  #10  
Old 28 Jun 2010
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I too think the 60CSx is a great bit of kit, and a lot more capable than TomTom when you find yourself somewhere without routable maps. You can create a track in Mapsource (on a laptop / netbook) and follow it - 'trackback'. Very useful off road.

A larger screen would be good, but it is usable. It zooms in on junctions to show good detail, and you can customise what is shown on screen at any time. It also records an altitude log, so you can look back and see how high you've been!

Very tough in my experience.
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