What sort of GPS unit do I need?

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rd400f

52 posts

Master Geek

#236299 27-May-2018 17:59

I know squat about gps units but I will explain what I need it for and you guys can offer suggestions.

There is a block of land I am looking at purchasing.

60 acres down south off state highway 73.

What I want to do is call up a map of the land from the Linz site and then , using the Linz site, set markers

on certain points of interest on that Linz map.

Things like the boundary...waterways and other spots I want to look at.

Then I want to then put these markers in to a gps unit and go on site and .....

1; Use the gps to actually find those markers point on the land.

2; Save some sort of plot that would show the route that I have taken to get to those marker points.

3; Download all the info back in to my computer and overlay it over the Linz map.

4; In the future use the gps in the normal tramping type route finding.

So is all that doable and if yes what type/brand/model gps would you guys recommend.

Thanks

Richard

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#2023509 27-May-2018 18:13

First, how accurate do you want it to be? A consumer-grade GPS will have an error of about 5m with a clear view of the sky. Any better than that and you are looking at something commercial and the price multiplies.

2nd, do you want to have LINZ and hiking maps on the GPS? There are many free maps available for Garmin units, but AFAIK almost nothing for other brands. If you are happy to pay for maps then I suggest you start at that end: find the map(s) that you want to use, then find units that you can load them on. For that you probably want to visit a specialist retailer who can show you the maps and then recommend a unit or 3.

For free Garmin maps, both topo and routable you can start at the forum of NZOGPS.

http://beddha.free.fr

rd400f

52 posts

Master Geek

#2023518 27-May-2018 18:36

Thanks for the info.

So if I go with a Garmin which models will do the things that I wanted to do?

All of them?

Thanks

Richrad

irongarment

280 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 134
Inactive user

#2023570 27-May-2018 20:17

You could do it all with the GPS on your phone, assuming you have a smartphone with gps. Osmand is a free (or very cheap) app that would allow you to insert markers at known points ahead of time, and will record your trail whenever you choose to. You can export the trail as a GPX file, which is a standard format compatible with a lot of mapping software, probably including Linz software. You can do that right now (if you have a smartphone with gps).

You can use your phone for mapping while tramping, but since that is a future requirement you could take your time and buy something when you're sure you know what you want.

rd400f

52 posts

Master Geek

#2023585 27-May-2018 20:44

This "OsmAnd" sounds like it is worth a look.

Will goggle it right now.

Thanks

Richard