Important features for a hiking GPS
---- Joe Mehaffey, revised 3 Dec 2001, http://joe.mehaffey.com/
What features are important for a particular use are a very personal thing. And.. The features needed for hiking are a bit more extensive (and a bit different) from those needed for automobile navigation use. Below are my "essential hiking feature list" of GPS receiver features.
(I omitted features that are present in ALL receivers.)
1) 12 channel parallel receiver system: Needed for best reception in difficult terrain and tree cover.
2) WaterProofness: Unit should be rated submersible to protect it from getting wet.
3) Long battery life: Keeps you from having to carry so many batteries.
4) Built in Maps: Not absolutely essential, but big help in orientation and estimating distance to nearest roads.
Map对国内用户用处不大，因为没有详细地图
5) Route capability: Twenty Route capability is pretty standard. Make sure you get one with at least 20 routes.
6) Waypoints: 500+ user entered waypoints are pretty standard. Make sure you get one of these.
7) Multiple Datum capability is pretty standard: Make sure all the datums you will want to use are included in the GPS you select.
8) Fit nicely in your pocket and lightweight: This is a very personal thing, but you should consider it when you are thinking about hauling a unit around in the wilderness.
9) Bearing to next waypoint: Almost universal, but essential to hiking use.
10) Screen Size and your ability to read it are important especially if you have problems with viewing fine detail.
Not ABSOLUTELY essential features, but nice to have.
1) "Map" screen (as opposed to just a numerical lon/lat position fix): Makes it much easier to see where you are relative to reference waypoints.
2) Rotatable screen: Garmin makes a couple of units capable of rotating the screen vertical (handheld use) or horizontal (car dash use). These are not the handiest for pocket use, but lots of people like this compromise for joint hiking/car use.
3) UTM readout may be a consideration for some. This feature is available on a limited selection of consumer GPS receivers.
4) Topo Maps uploaded into your GPS: The Garmin USA Topo CD maps contain contour lines and small stream data very helpful in navigating in off-road territory. Magellan has a new TOPO map offering for the M330 available late Summer 2001.
5) For use under heavy tree cover or difficult (multipath) terrain conditions, an external amplified antenna will generally be helpful.
6) A minimum of 8 megs of map memory is recommended on a mapping GPS though you can "get by" with 1.4 megs or so.
In no particular order, SOME of the current 12 channel parallel GPS receivers WE consider suitable for hiking use include:
A) GPS receivers WITHOUT the ability to upload maps into the GPS:
Garmin G-76, G-12xl, G-12CX, G-II+, Venture, Magellan 315, 320, ColorTrak, Lowrance GN12, GN212
B) GPS receivers WITH the ability to upload maps into the GPS from optional proprietary maps:
Magellan 330, Magellan Meridian (basic/gold/platinum), GPS-V, Garmin G76Map, G-12Map#, G-III PLUS#, Vista, Legend, Lowrance GM100#, Magellan 410# (no street level maps), and eMap(*)
(*) eMap has a somewhat reduced feature set as compared with the other listed units. However, with the extensive upgrade provided by version 2.50 firmware, we now rate eMap as an acceptable GPS for hiking use PROVIDED it is protected from moisture, rain and water penetration. Unlike other units, eMap's case is NOT waterproof or even water resistant and the case is not as robust as other models.
(**) The eTrex and eTrex Summit have a substantially reduced GPS feature set as compared with competitive models and while we think eTrex and Summit are "cute" and accurate enough in position measurment, Our opinion is that other models just slightly more expensive provide the needed feature mix for serious hiking activities. This comment does NOT apply to Venture, Legend, and Vista models.
(#) While these units are not "obselete" from the standpoint of technology, newer units with more "features for the money" are recommended.
Units NOT suited to HIKING use due to being designed for other applications:
Garmin StreetPilot, ColorMap, StreetPilot III
Delorme EarthMate/SA9 system
Etak Skymap system
(Any system requiring a laptop, palmtop, or ancillary computer device other than for data and map loading. A GPS receiver for hiking should stand alone in the field.)
--== [blue]阴晴圆缺在窗外，心中一片艳阳天[/blue] ==--
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发表于 2002-5-29 11:02:51
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