I'll see your Sports Leader and raise you an ML...

I raise you ML with BEL, WGL, SPA, ML and Winter ML, trainer trainer for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Boys Brigade, 111 unique summits (including Kilimanjaro and Mt Cook) and 15 years Mountain Rescue and search and rescue affiliation.

I have a altimeter but other than that I go "out" to get away from "tech"

Compass, OS map and a torch, map for when its going well, compass if your'e concerned, torch if you still have concerns

GPS is like giving in before you set off !

GPS is like giving in before you set off !

I understand what you're saying, but....

I use a GPS similar to Graham's. For me, it's a fourth option for when I louse up with compass, OS map and torch.

Im coming off as a t1t here BUT

Getting lost is THE adventure, we all get caught up in the beauty or the conversations provoked by being in the outdoors and should indulge in what that feeling, when you find the right way you feel like ray mears (deffo not that bear wally)

plan your day prior to going out, recognise which way you aim ( i pull left) identify potential wet weather bail routes and set noteable boundaries (roads hills and poi's)

Ask yourself how it feels after getting a little of route and you fixing it through hard work and application of logic, then think about how you feel once the american military just fix it for you ???

I teach nav for a living and louse it up all the time due to enjoying myself, many people in the industry are control freaks and will track their every metre, i think the real fun is orientate your map, walk on it for a while check your're ok if not stop and work it out, you;ll be surprised how much banter can be extracted from "where the bloody hell are we?"

I have a 10 year old Garmin 60csx which is still fine. Features in-built maps, electronic compass, route recorder, altimeter, roadmaps (Down to village level) and optimum route calculation and navigation software Works in the car too - screen too small to continually view but good enough for spot checks - "Where am I now ? ", "Did I take the correct turn at that last junction ?". The newer versions have more, though the casings appear less robust - top-end machines have handset-to-handset comms, so the position of someone else's receiver is displayed on your screen.

I've used mine on the continent for car navigation and walking. Using the trace route feature(Which shows where you have been to where you currently are as a conginuous line) I've left the car in a car oark, walked several miles in unknown territory without maps or the "Sun compass" (In heavy overcast with rain) or signposts and found my way back to the beginning without any problems.

Recently, I used the GPS on my Blackberry Playbook + free Magellan software on Bkackberry World site to do a similar circumnavigation in a heavily wooded area. Only difference is that the tablet's GPS receiver isn't as good as the Garmin (Taking ages to get an initial position lock) and the fact that you have to download the maps needed from Google (Or any other web source) in advance for a particular journey. Otherwise, just as good - wTerproof wallet helps. I've also got an excellent electronic sighting compass app installed on the Playbook - just hold the Playbook on the horizontal and point it at the distant object for an instant bearing.

Of course Playbooks are now priced at circa £100, i.e. Basic Garmin/Magellan prices.

Postscript

I would echo what orevious poster said, getting lost is half the fun, as long as you don't get too lost . . . In a remote place . . ..or the weather turns nasty . . . . Or somebidy gets injured. Hence I always carry a handheld strobe (As used by overboard yatchtsmen), water, glucose tabs, a tin foil lightweight blanket and a pocket-sized med kit.

Edited 18 June, 201313 yr by Clunkclick

Im coming off as a t1t here BUT

Getting lost is THE adventure, we all get caught up in the beauty or the conversations provoked by being in the outdoors and should indulge in what that feeling, when you find the right way you feel like ray mears (deffo not that bear wally)

plan your day prior to going out, recognise which way you aim ( i pull left) identify potential wet weather bail routes and set noteable boundaries (roads hills and poi's)

Ask yourself how it feels after getting a little of route and you fixing it through hard work and application of logic, then think about how you feel once the american military just fix it for you ???

I teach nav for a living and louse it up all the time due to enjoying myself, many people in the industry are control freaks and will track their every metre, i think the real fun is orientate your map, walk on it for a while check your're ok if not stop and work it out, you;ll be surprised how much banter can be extracted from "where the bloody hell are we?"

My thoughts exactly I grew up in the North West Highlands and sometiimes i was that poor i never even had a compass never mind a map ;)

Kit

My thoughts exactly I grew up in the North West Highlands and sometiimes i was that poor i never even had a compass never mind a map ;)

Kit

They were a bit tight with the contents of the Mc Colditz escape kit in those days then ?

Nick

Escape kit??? We never even heard of those in my day...stars and wind direction is all we had

kit

Escape kit??? We never even heard of those in my day...stars and wind direction is all we had

kit

And not forgetting moss deposition on sheeps' bums and the cOuntry loore of Rambling Sid

Hilariously, Reviews of current Garmin kit on Amazon rrate the build quality And. Software of the older 60CSX and 62CSX as better than the current Kit.

I'm not sAying that modern Garmin ownERS would be better off with a yogurt pot, some water, a cork and a magnetised Darning needle . . . . .

Nick

Ahh the science of moss on a sheeps a*se....Once did stumble on a pile of amonium nitrate miles up in the hill at the end of a little used track!!!...All very sus indeed so i stopped off the see the local sergeant on the way back...following morning the there was lots of activity and helicopters in the area...the sergeant was very tight lipped about what was going on!!!

Kit

IPhone + Outdoor GB app. Absolutely amazing & I own a Garmin - makes it look like a toy.

IPhone + Outdoor GB app. Absolutely amazing & I own a Garmin - makes it look like a toy.

Yeah. Don't doubt the iphone's capability, after all its ten years on.

But what about battery life and waterproof rufty tufty activity - I've got my idea of what will come out on top ?

Nick

I'd agree with what has been said about spending the money on a navigation course- learning to use and compass is a priority.

Anyway- back to you question- I have a cheapy basic Garmin eTrex GPS to get a basic fix that i can relate to an OS map. Bought it several years ago and have never used it!! I generally use an old fashion compass, sometime in conjunction with an altimeter on my watch.

FWIW- the local Mountain Rescue team uses these http://www.satmap.co.uk/about.php

Have a waterproof case and an Anker battery pack.

+ Otterbox case!