Cheap GPS alternative - one day only...

[nigelp]

I spotted a GPS device on http://www.1-day.co.nz/products/E1MAIS8GT and it appears to be small enough to still fit in my topbox/camelbak and take with me on trips.

Also got it for mountain biking so can retrace my steps in 3d.

Any pitfalls that anyone can see (not being a GPS expert)? For $70 it seems to be an ok purchase. Will get it tomorrow hopefully and have a play.

[cooneyr]

So it is just simply a data logger. It doesnt say what interval it logs at (how accurate the track log will be) nor does it say how much memory it has i.e. how long you can log for (will it do multi day trips) or how long the batteries will last.

I'm not overly impressed with the marketing but that doesn't mean to say it is all bad. The unit has a Sirf star III gps receiver chip which is pretty much close to of the range.

I'd still be tempted to save a bit longer and get a Garmin Etrex H (http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/48239f4b00a73a74273fc0a87f3b06c7/Product/View/D1956). It doesnt have a brilliant internal memory for recording lots and lots of data but you can at least use it for navigation as well. Just a warning there are two basic Etrex out there the H and the non H version and both look the same (yellow case). The H stands for high sensitivity reciever (similar to the SirF StarIII) and is much better than the non H version.

Cheers R

[bungbung]

It kind of reads like it logs when you push the button only.

Take a photo, push the button style.

[Transalper]

Looks like it could be a bit of fun, the demo indicates a proper track log of sorts is recorded and when you get home you can see it and have it automatically match any digital photos you took with the gps position of the same timestamp.
Has no practical application to help you find your way, just see where you went when you have got back to your computer.
Lithium ion battery and only a couple of diodes to light instead of a screen so I assume it will at least go for most of one day, if not a fair while longer.
We look forward to your review!
Cheers
TA.

[nigelp]

I ended up buying one anyway. Will give a report on features etc when it arrives.

Hopefully it will be useful (due to its size) when mountainbiking in the high countery etc to track routes and put on Google Earth where I have been.

[NordieBoy]

Hopefully it will be useful (due to its size) when mountainbiking in the high countery etc to track routes and put on Google Earth where I have been.

That, it will do well.

[twotyred]

might be a good entry level device for the tech challenged of us that have never even touched a GPS or seen one in action... :o

[deanohit]

I'd still be tempted to save a bit longer and get a Garmin Etrex H (http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/48239f4b00a73a74273fc0a87f3b06c7/Product/View/D1956). It doesnt have a brilliant internal memory for recording lots and lots of data but you can at least use it for navigation as well. Just a warning there are two basic Etrex out there the H and the non H version and both look the same (yellow case). The H stands for high sensitivity reciever (similar to the SirF StarIII) and is much better than the non H version.

Cheers R
If you want any Garmin GPS, go through reloaders.co.nz, they do the E-trex for $199, saving $50
And that is the H model as well.

[nigelp]

Well I used the wee device last Thursday night on a ride round Bottle Lake in Chch on my mountain bike (which incidently will be my last ride for a while due to cracked ribs from a small tumble I had).

Overall thoughts:

It is really small and light - about 1/2 size of bic lighter and same weight.
Very easy to use with only one button to play with.
Quick to charge and lasts anywhere between 4 and 40hrs (depending on the number of waypoints you want it to track).
Great interface with Google Maps - you can hit play and it will run through your trip at whatever speed you want.
It is very crashproof - 35km/h landing on hard ground and only small scratch - pity cant say the same for me! :doh:
It seemed to get very good reception even in the heavily wooded areas of the forest which surprised me!

Overall
Fun wee device - nice touch that you can email your track to other ppl straight from the software and also save in a couple of formats (MHT and GPX? formats). Will definately be using on most my up and coming MTB trips and motorbike trips.

Overall

[cooneyr]

......... save in a couple of formats (MHT and GPX? formats)......

GPX is a formated text file that is probably one of the most universal formats. Lots and lots of different programs will understand GPX. I'm guessing the other format is a KML file. It is also a formated text file but Google Earth is almost the only program that will display it.

Sounds like you need to keep upright a little more!!!!!

Cheers R