Your mobile may have GPS BUT it lacks sensitivity , accuracy & detailed maps
A hand-held GPS device is not an essential tool for walking in a county where footpaths are generally well signed.
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However, when crossing large fields or negotiating farms with barking dogs or herds of cows , the luxury of an arrow guiding you in the right direction is somewhat comforting.
It always gives you an ETA and your current position, crucial in case of an emergency
It can guide you through a large town or city and to a specific point of interest,ie a pub,cafe,shop, even a public convenience!
Portable Car Sat Navs are only of use if you are NOT following paths or tracks - even then, they are quite awkward to carry around.
Most portable car sat navs do not allow you to follow a prearranged route - ie one you have created on your PC.
GPS devices for walking enable you to follow circular routes ;they also keep track of the route you have followed showing all possible deviations. These can be viewed on google earth or any other mapping software.
What are the best satnavs for walkers?
Speaking from personal experience, the most versatile and popular hand held SATNAVs are produced by Garmin, ie Oregon , Dakota , Montana
For
There are more maps available - many of them free! - for Garmin devices than any other device.
There is a large community of followers keeping Garmin on their toes.
Maps can be accessed on your PC / MAC using Basecamp, free and updated frequently.
You can change the colours of your maps to suit your own preferences - this applies to Garmin devices only!
Against
It has to be said that the initial software of new models is often querky and bug ridden but Garmin do update their firmware when necessary.
Does it show all the public footpaths?
Can your GPS find the quickest route from A to B?
Does your GPS allow for different routes, depending on whether you are walking, hiking or cycling?
Can it avoid busy roads and select a more scenic route?
How easy is it to search your GPS for an address or the nearest bus stop,station,pub,shop,museum etc?
Only consider devices which receive signals in thick forests! Tracks in dense woods can be very tricky to follow.
Look for High Sensitivity, such as the Garmin Dakota,Etrex & Oregon series Look out for the new Oregon 600 with bright colour display.
Check how easy it is to mark a waypoint during your walk for future reference. Some devices are very clumsy.
Battery life is important, but most devices should offer up to 10+ hours continuous use.Some have battery save modes.
How big is your screen; some devices are very small. How easy is it to negotiate menus with gloves on; are the buttons too small?
How expensive are my maps going to be? OS maps are very useful, but after a while limiting. Check how easy it is to transfer a map from an old device onto a new one - at some stage you may want to update your system. Be warned! You more than likely need to buy a map for each (new) device, which in our opinion is quite unacceptable .
Free maps are available but only for devices,ie Garmin, which can import img files. Free Openstreetmap maps can be uploaded to your Garmin - see below.
All sat navs / gps devices suffer from one problem: high buildings, tall trees & even umbrellas can distort signals. This means your pointer will be 'off road' . Check if your gps device has a 'lock on road' function . All car satnavs are automatically locked .
GPS devices do not receive signals in tunnels
How does it work?
Fundamentally, a GPS needs a map of the area you are walking. Maps can come with the device ; more often they have to be bought separately.
If you have a Garmin you are able to take advantage of free Openstreetmap maps which, depending on the area, may or may not contain all footpaths. Devon is generally well mapped on openstreetmap.org
Routes
A GPS device NEVER comes with a selection of routes/tracks.
These you need to create yourself using software supplied with your maps.
Alternatively, you can download routes; the most common are in a gpx format.
Routes contain a set of instructions from one waypoint to another.
Tracks are trails left behind by the walker - they are more detailed and can be more accurate.
Routes are saved as a GPX (or FIT file for watches)
All our walks include a free GPX and FIT file
You use the software to create routes and upload them to your device via a USB connection. Today,this is quite a straightforward process.
You can use a GPS without routes/tracks but you will not have an ETA.
OS50 ready
Some GPS systems come with or can import OS50 maps.
These might look a good option if you prefer OS50 maps - however,it is our experience that such maps are not as accurate as they should be , particularly , when following foot paths - you could be out by 30 feet. When you zoom in you get a blurry image - however, they can be a last resort
Again, footpaths change rapidly in response to local developments.
We have produced an OS type map of Devon, suitable for walkers,cyclists and motorists who possess a Garmin Nuvi or any other Garmin device. Check out here.
Create your own maps
There is another solution but its a bit 'techy'. If you want to upload the latest maps for free and your gps supports 'img' import then we would recommend OpenStreetMap. Such maps are created by volunteers - you could be one of them - and may not include all the public footpaths . Remember , they are free and can be very detailed!
Areas can be downloaded and uploaded to your gps.
Try our most popular & free
to create yoiur own maps.