GPS for US -and- UK

[gbrown]

My sweetie and I are going to be taking a trip to the UK early this summer (before the munchkins get out of school over there and crowd us out! ). We'll be doing a fair amount of hiking in Wales (not to be confused hiking IN a wale, a somewhat discomforting concept). I'm thinking of finally breaking down and buying a hand-held GPS. And so, I go to my favourite Font of Knowledge for help and guidance.

Required features:

• Usable in both UK and North America (duh!).
• Able to handle uploads from external programs such as the DeLorme Street Atlas series.
• Good battery life.
• Reasonably priced.

Any suggestions?

[TJ_Tigger]

I have a GPSV from Garmin with the Deluxe maps for the US, unlocks the entire US. I also have maps for Europe which I have used in Scotland, and netherlands. They are quite detailed, but at least they are expensive

• Supported by Garmin mapping GPS units
• Not gonna happen, Most GPS units have a propreitary mapping software and will only load maps specific to the company, see Garmin above. However, interfacing, waypoints, routes and tracks can usually be shared between most mapping programs and the GPS. I have used Delorme Topo, Street Atlas (supports speech recognition and will tell you when to turn), MS Streets and Trips (2003-2005) and the unit has it's own mapping interface. There are a log of good programs out there to play with with your gps. For management of Waypoints and tracks I use Expert GPS from topographix.com
• My Batteries will last about 10 hours. I use rechargeable and they do the job. I also supplement the battery life by plugging it in when in a vehicle.
• Prices keep coming down. I like this one because it supports maps, is of decent size, good batterylife, Turn based routing (depends on maps loaded). Garmin has some nice units, prices sometimes are a little higher, but they have higher resolution screens. Magellan has good units with larger screens but the resolution is not as sharp. Magellan is usually a little more cost effective as well.

I need to stop typing. That is my .02 worth. I have about a $1.20 to go if you have questions.

Tigg

[Derek]

Garmin would be expensive, the aviation industry uses 'em
That means they can just charge what they want!

You got good taste, Jeremy ... and yes expensive too

[gbrown]

I have a GPSV from Garmin with the Deluxe maps for the US, unlocks the entire US. I also have maps for Europe which I have used in Scotland, and netherlands. They are quite detailed, but at least they are expensive

Can you define "expensive"? (he says, being too lazy to open another FireFox tab and wander over to eBay!).