Which GPS (New to the site)

joeyto · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 17, 2010 Posts: 3

Hi,

Came across this site when looking into navigation techniques, i'm planning a solo kayak expedition for next year and am writing in reference to decent GPS systems.

I don't know too much about them, hence the post :p... but it needs to be small - i.e. handheld, and someway or charing batteries up solar, or taking disposable batteries. Do any do this, or do they all need a wall socket?

Also i apologize if this is a silly question, but would it map where you are out to sea: i.e. if i was in the Arctic 75 miles of an island, will it pick up signal and show?

Many thanks,

Joe Smile

mikealder · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 7:55 pm Post subject:

Solar charging is viable but whats more imortant is to have a map of the area you intend to visit, you hint at the Artic which might be problematic but perhaps your trip is aimed at somewhere else? - Mike

joeyto · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 17, 2010 Posts: 3

I've been browsing thro this forum & i saw something called 'birdseye satellite imagery',(https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=70144#productTab) it is software which enables you to download google maps to your gps, and it will read off that? - Is that right, i think with that application you won't need to download further maps?

My trip is aimed at the North West Passage - (north of Canada)

DennisN · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject:

I think you'll find the Northwest Passage looks like this in Google Maps. You'll need something better than a road atlas. Remember to wear warm undies (as my dear old grannie used to say). Laughing

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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

M8TJT · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject:

The picture is missing Dennis

dhn · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject:

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1936

I think that I would start with the GPSMAP (60/76/78) series from garmin and work my way around from there. They are portable, seem to have good battery life and comprehensive map coverage. There is a Garmin Handheld section to this website and you may get better responses if you ask specific questions there.

dhn, please excuse my ignorance but would a map of Canada include a chartable map of the NW Passage? or would would you consider that to be a specialist map?

joeyto, I think you are very brave and wish you good luck on your expedition. If I paddled to the Isle of White and back, that would be enough for me.
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DennisN · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 11:39 pm Post subject:

Garmin's Topo Canada map (available on DVD) covers the area around the Northwest Passage but no detailed marine data. Garmin's Bluechart G2 detailed marine charting maps cover only the coastal areas of northwestern Canada and Alaska, not the passage itself from what I can see. And I don't see any 3rd party maps for charting the Northwest Passage. Imagine there could be a liability issue with electronic maps for marine navigation of that area?[/b]
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joeyto · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 17, 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks in advance for all helpful comments, this was the place to go to pose such a query. Great community ty.

jolly47roger · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 11, 2008 Posts: 116

I would also consider something that will display Google Earth imagery as a 'Custom Map' - such as a Garmin Colorado or Dakota.

M8TJT · Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:13 am Post subject:

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